406 sb engine swap

[53chevyforever]

Removed tired old 350 and installed my 406 cubic inch. I built this balanced assembly with 9.0 compression, scat crank, eagle 5.7 rods, keith black pistons, comp cam, new gm vortec heads with better springs, edelbrock rpm intake and a 600 cfm holley, Phoenix 700r4 and 3.73 gears. I used Patriot clipster headers for a 68 camaro and had to trim motor stands slightly. Headers are 3/4 length and fit well with good ground clearance. I am getting close and hope to start it in a week or so. Hoping for strong torque and good mileage on reg fuel.

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by 53chevyforever

Removed tired old 350 and installed my 406 cubic inch. I built this balanced assembly with 9.0 compression, scat crank, eagle 5.7 rods, keith black pistons, comp cam, new gm vortec heads with better springs, edelbrock rpm intake and a 600 cfm holley, Phoenix 700r4 and 3.73 gears. I used Patriot clipster headers for a 68 camaro and had to trim motor stands slightly. Headers are 3/4 length and fit well with good ground clearance. I am getting close and hope to start it in a week or so. Hoping for strong torque and good mileage on reg fuel.

Also found vacuum guage for my cluster and got it installed.

[Captainfab]

Nice engine and nice truck

I hope that 700R4 is built well and comes with a warranty. Are you aware of how to properly setup the TV cable?

[53chevyforever]

Yes..on the adjustment...I am just an hour away from Phoenix Transmissions in Weatherford, Tx. They ship world wide. I have had them build several. My first was in a 68 camaro with a 550 Hp 502 big block. Never had any problems.
They build their own convertors and know the secret to idling better in gear without pulling the engine down with a small street cam. However no slippage is noticed. Tim

[Captainfab]

If you don't mind my asking, what cam did you go with?

[53chevyforever]

I went with the extreme energy 262. I tried the 268 previously and wanted
a little smoother idle. Racing days are over....but I love the torque that
a 400 small block gives.

[raidmagic]

Looks amazing!! I bet you are really going to like that set up. I'm a big fan of the 700r4 as well. If you get a good builder they are a fantastic transmission.

[Captainfab]

Years ago we built a sb 400 for my son using Vortec heads and a Comp Extreme Energy 262 4x4 cam. That engine produced great amounts of torque. In fact enough to break the center section from the axle tubes on a truck 12 bolt.

[jchav62]

Great looking engine... and cluster. Good work. I had a 400 in a '73 I used to own. Loved the torque!

[andyh1956]

How much dish do your pistons have?
My 400 shows 9.4 CR w/ 30cc dish speed pros & 72cc Dart heads.
I didn't use Vortec heads because my CR was gonna be too high.

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Years ago we built a sb 400 for my son using Vortec heads and a Comp Extreme Energy 262 4x4 cam. That engine produced great amounts of torque. In fact enough to break the center section from the axle tubes on a truck 12 bolt.

Wow...sounds just what I want If I break something will just have to fix!

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by andyh1956

How much dish do your pistons have?
My 400 shows 9.4 CR w/ 30cc dish speed pros & 72cc Dart heads.
I didn't use Vortec heads because my CR was gonna be too high.

Well...here is the piston I used...hopefully this chart is not wrong! I used the .040 felpro gasket. If so...looks like premium fuel....time will tell. I will let everyone know when I do some driving...had planned on running around 10 initial and 35 total timing. Tim

[Captainfab]

On the 400 we built for my son, we just used stock replacement pistons. I don't know what the dish size was or how far down in the hole they were. It was just a stock rebuilt shortblock from a local engine builder. We were able to run 87 octane with no detonation issues. Typically the Vortec heads don't need any more than 32* total

[53chevyforever]

I decided to try and make my battery box more presentable.
Used a 55 chevy danchuk chrome hold down. My local sheet metal shop
cut and bent the polished aluminum cover I used around the sides and
which came with a plastic coating to protect until used which just
peels off easily. Bought the bowtie emblem at oriellys.

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

On the 400 we built for my son, we just used stock replacement pistons. I don't know what the dish size was or how far down in the hole they were. It was just a stock rebuilt shortblock from a local engine builder. We were able to run 87 octane with no detonation issues. Typically the Vortec heads don't need any more than 32* total

Do you remember how the idle was on the 262 cam? Was it really smooth or
just a noticeable lope? I am hoping just enough to not sound completely stock.

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by jchav62

Great looking engine... and cluster. Good work. I had a 400 in a '73 I used to own. Loved the torque!

Hey...love your truck! Nice work...

[andyh1956]

Originally Posted by 53chevyforever

Well...here is the piston I used...hopefully this chart is not wrong! I used the .040 felpro gasket. If so...looks like premium fuel....time will tell. I will let everyone know when I do some driving...had planned on running around 10 initial and 35 total timing. Tim

Thanks, those are nice pistons!
They LOOK to have significant deeper dish than mine.
It also LOOKS like the dish is made to match the combustion chamber on the Vortecs.

[Captainfab]

If I remember correctly, it did not have a lope at idle but it did not sound stock either. The Extreme Energy 262 that you used is a different cam than the Extreme Energy 4x4 262 cam we used.

Here is a thread I started a few years ago for 400/406 engine builds.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=612016

Originally Posted by 53chevyforever

Do you remember how the idle was on the 262 cam? Was it really smooth or
just a noticeable lope? I am hoping just enough to not sound completely stock.