Does anybody know the factory HP for a 1970 Sb400??

 

The 1970 2 barrel carbed 400 small-block was factory rated at 265 horsepower (4400 rpm) with 400 ft lbs torque (at 2400 rpm) with 9.0:1 compression.

1971 400---255 horsepower (4400 rpm), 390 ft lbs torque (2400 rpm) with 8.5:1 compression.

1972 400---(Ratings method changed to that used today)---170 horsepower (3400 rpm), 325 ft lbs torque (2000 rpm) with 8.5:1 compression ratio.

1973 400---150 horsepower (3200 rpm), 295 ft lbs torque (2000 rpm), 8.5:1 compression ratio.

All according to my 1977 Chiltons Manual.
jms

 

hey JMS how did the rating change exactly?

 

The factories (around 1972) started rating their engines with the normal accessories versus the earlier method of rating them with no power-draining accessories (such as power steering, air, smog pumps).

Basically the "newer" ratings were closer to actual than the earlier ones.

However, also about this time period, government regulations, concerning smog and lead pollution, were phasing out leaded gas and the factories were lowering compression ratios to try and accomodate unleaded gas.

I was there. Very sad for the new cars but used muscle cars were VERY cheap.

Would you have given $1,500 for a 375 horse-396 1969 SS Camaro?

jms

 

Don't forget that back in 1972, minimum wage was also $1.60/hour.

 

Yes, Yes I would have.
SSC

 

Thankz for the info JMS.
I can get a 400sb longblock from work for 1200.00.
Im plannin on pulling out the 150000 mile LO3 in a few months and im not sure what engine to use yet.
But im for-sure going from TBI to carb.

Thanks again for the info
Peace

 

LOL on the minimum wage.

I was a sophomore in '72 and working at a Baskin-Robbins in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Going through OLD papers the other day and found a pay-stub showing I was getting $1.00 per hour! Somebody owes me some money!

But, back on the subject. NOBODY pays attention to the stock 400 ratings because they don't stay stock very long.

A little known tip (used when I was dirt-tracking and in a 2-barrel limited class) is the 2-barrel intake off the 400 had bigger passages than the other small-blocks' 2-barrel intakes. As if anyone today would keep the cast-iron 2-barrel intake.
jms

 

1200.00$ seems a little high, might want to check around first.

 

All I gotta say about small blocks 400's is AWESOME TORQUE!! I dropped one in a thrashed 77 Camaro with a stock TH350 and 2.73 gears, and I could powerbrake it all the way into drive while standing perfectly still. If you like a torquey motor, you could drag the local church down the road with a healthy 400!

 

Don't concern yourself with the factory's ratings, they are meaningless at best, and since you'll be throwing away the garbage they put on them for heads and cam and intake, yours will be different (hopefully higher).

The minimum wage thing makes me remember about 73, I was working a construction job making the awesome retainer of $2.47½ / hr., which was more than anybody else I knew. Too bad the project came to an end, and I went to work at Kroger for $1.80

I had a 400 for about a decade in my 83 but pulled it when I moved to CA. Now I'm getting transferred to OH, so back in it goes!!! Much better than what's in the car now (a weenie 305 at 265 HP & 340 ft-lbs according to the chassis dyno).

 

Ion the 1200.00 INCLUDEZ the core charge. Have you priced longblocks, 1200 aint bad!!

 

only paid 175 for my 400

 

paid $200 for mine

 

I wouldnt put a 200.00 motor in my car!
But Im sure ya'll put out a little more cash to GET it running.

 

I got my 400 block for $50 thats the long block, it needed to be rebuilt(like I wouldn't do that anyway)

 

I dont know if I would spend 1200 bucks on a 400 longblock, when I can buy a used motor and rebuild for much less money. Then I get to choose the parts I want...and you know what they say "The only way to know something is done right is to do it yourself". When I was at school we got a few "ready to install" longblocks (for instruction purpose), and when we took them apart, we found that they were out of spec in more than one place. Would you put that in your car? Wouldnt you want to save some money anyway?

-peace