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Just picked up a 400 sbc. Its complete, carb to pan, but unsure on mileage. After checking it out somewhat I've found its for sure a 400, 2 bolt, with 76cc smog heads. Its out of a 77 Suburban according to p.o. Its an orange motor. I thought '76 was the last year for Chevy orange? Would this motor have come factory with forged pistons? How can I find this out? Assuming the stock rotating assembly is fine,how durable is the stock bottom end to handle mild boost from a Weiand baby blower? Although this 400 is listed as " heavy duty ", its still got the smog heads which have low compression like eight and a half to one I believe. My little Weiand and 750 Holley are begging to bolt onto this 400 and make some low buck power. How realistic are my expectations with this set-up?
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I owuld think it would have cast pistons, but I cannot be sure. I would add new rings, bearings, gaskets, timing components etc. before boosting it.
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Well you don't want high compression with a blower. My motto is do it right the first time. Go through the whole engine. A rebuild kit from summit is cheap enough so start your tear down and know what you've got in there.
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Summit is good. I have also used the kits from northernautoparts.com
They include everything, the cam, pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets, lfters, oil pump, freeze plugs, assembl lube, all of it.
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Yes low compression is a must for this set-up. After spending quite some time surfing the 'net I have not found anything to indicate if any of the 400s came stock with forged pistons.
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They had cast pistons. I wouldn't mod it without going through it.
Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project