Has anyone put a SBC 400 in a 67 camaro? I have the opportunity to get a long-block. My questions is, do the 350 engine mounts work on this setup? What about performance - how much HP/torque is possible? And what gotchas do I need to watch out for with this engine?

On the flip side, I also have access to a SBC 350. Am I better off going with the 350?

Thanks in advance!

Al

bigger is better, flywheel and balancer are external balance but thats about all ,it will fit the same as the 283 327 350,and if your all about burning rubber the 400 is king

Like "bubba"(?) said, bigger is better. You have to use the specific flywheel and balancer made for the 400.
Also, these blocks do have their quirks, particularly with cracks around the headbolts if they have been overheated. Be sure to get a warrantee, as well as a complete list of what's inside any engine, pistons, rings, balance job, overbore, camshaft, head work, everything.

yea Jim made me remember the steam holes that are between the cyl's that is where u find little cracks, not a big deal, some guys plug em some say u need to drill heads to match, felpro has instructions to drill holes in other places, some say steam holes needed for street but not needed for racing. i say put the little hole in and if the motor needs em they are there. these holes are to releave steam at top of cyld casting because on 400 no water can get between cyld's.

bigger is better, flywheel and balancer are external balance but thats about all ,it will fit the same as the 283 327 350,and if your all about burning rubber the 400 is king

Not unless they are internally balanced. I used the flywheel off my 302, had it surfaced and balanced and installed on my 406.

400 punched out is my vote (see sig.)

Only issue I had was to shim the swaybar down 1/4" (balancer clearance).

No steam holes here, but doesn't sit in traffic, not a daily driver, and high stall converter.

Well thank you guys for the comments. I think I will give this 400 a try. By the time I am done with it it will most likely be a 406. Fun, fun, fun.

I read on other websites about these steam holes, so I am aware of this issue. I'd like to drive my 67 often, so street-ability is a concern... I don't want to be sitting in traffic and overheat my engine.

The engine needs a complete overhaul by the way. My father-in-law is bringing it down in a couple of months and will help me rebuild it.

Thanks!
Al

406
180-200cc heads
9.5ish:1 compression
280H CompCam
5.7" rods
stock crank
Cruise anywhere,pump gas (91),and 12 sec ET's :yes:

Here's what it sounds like ---> http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/Dougs68Camaro/?action=view&current=DSCF0001.flv

man I love them 280H comps!!
I spent a little extra for a custom crank and had the block clearanced to get I think it was 420CI. I used a circle track cam and 11:1.1 SCR and that thing was pretty mean. :D

Well thank you guys for the comments. I think I will give this 400 a try. By the time I am done with it it will most likely be a 406. Fun, fun, fun.

I read on other websites about these steam holes, so I am aware of this issue. I'd like to drive my 67 often, so street-ability is a concern... I don't want to be sitting in traffic and overheat my engine.

The engine needs a complete overhaul by the way. My father-in-law is bringing it down in a couple of months and will help me rebuild it.

Thanks!
Al

Just make sure you have it checked for cracks before you put any money into machine work.

The 400 sbc uses the same mounts. It's a great choice for all around performance and all I use. Last year my '68 with a 10.5:1 old iron headed 408 dipped into the 10's and was driven almost daily in the summer. Now I'm upgrading. Check out a Comp Cams 294S also.

Enjoy!
Jim

Eric68 is right, have it checked for cracks and while you're at it, have it sonic checked too. How much horsepower do you plan to make? I split the #4 cyl wall on my 406 (which makes about 500+ hp) that I just had $600 worth of machine work done on. I wished I had that checked before I started.

I have heard that a 2bolt 400 w splayed caps is stronger than a 4 bolt 350?? I am sure somebody will answer that question now.

I have heard that a 2bolt 400 w splayed caps is stronger than a 4 bolt 350?? I am sure somebody will answer that question now.

True story, a 2 bolt factory block is better than a 4 bolt factory block, splayed 4 bolt on a two bolt is even better, but at that point it's time to consider an aftermarket block, you may be money ahead.
A factory 400 that has been magnafluxed and ok'd, even better if sonic checked but not as necessary, will be a good piece. But they are all old now, and lots of them are near used up. With an aftermarket block around 2k it's worth considering come rebuild time.
I have been running a 2 bolt 400 factory block for several years, it makes in the neighborhood of 500 horse and sees tons of street time, it's been a great motor so the factory blocks are great to a point, just make sure it's crack free, as with any factory block.
Short answer, 400 yes, steam holes no. :D

Eric68 is right, have it checked for cracks and while you're at it, have it sonic checked too. How much horsepower do you plan to make? I split the #4 cyl wall on my 406 (which makes about 500+ hp) that I just had $600 worth of machine work done on. I wished I had that checked before I started.

Thanks for the advice on checking for cracks. There is a place in Dallas that does Magnifluxing to the block - I am assuming this is to check for cracks in the material before they hone the cylinders. Is this the same or similar to the sonic check?
I am not sure about the HP/Torque that will be produced. My father and I are still talking about which parts are we going to use. We've pretty much settled on the stock crank and heads but don't know yet about the cam.
We figured we can always upgrade parts later on and need to keep the cost down to continue with the rest of the project.

Al.
67 camaro in progress

The block should be degreased first then they can magnaflux for cracks before they do any machine work. The sonic check checks wall thickness. In your case if you're using the stock crank and heads, you should be fine if it passes magnaflux. Good Luck and let us know what you pick for parts and how everything turns out!