I currently have a '77 400 bored .30 over that has approximately 10-15,000 miles since rebuild 4yrs+/- ago.
I am going to tear it down and put it back together. (Tearing it down because of a lifter pecking since first started, exh. valve not seating completely on pass. side, and numerous oil leaks.)I have a few questions and hope someone can help.
1. If I install a 350 Crank and Main Bearing Spacers in the engine will I still be able to use the Rods and Pistons that I am currently using now? Will this create clearance problem between the rods and block or the pistons and heads?
2. I am using 2.02/1.60 heads right now that will need a head job, and was wandering if getting a set of Vortec heads would be a better bang for the buck? I know that I would have to get the special intake for the heads, but don't know if they would be worth it.
3. What cam would you recommend for both setups(377 or 406)? The engine will probably be installed in my 69 RS with a t350 or 200r4 and a 3.73 12 bolt rear. Would mainly be a weekend cruiser and driven to local car shows. It would also see occasional trips to the strip, but I really want it to have descent vacuum for the headlights and half-way descent gas mileage.
All comments are appreciated and if anyone is running a similar setup, please let me know what you think about it. Thanks

Also was wandering if I should use gapless rings when I re-install the Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons or should I just use regular rings?

Thanks again

Wildkatz, if you install the 350 crank into the 400 block, you will have to get new pistons. A 350 crank using using 5.7 inch connecting rods needs a piston with a 1.56 compression height. The 400 crank using a 5.7 inch connecting rods needs a 1.430 compression height piston. So, by using your existing 400 pistons and just installing the spacer bearings and crank, the piston will lack .130 of an inch from reaching the deck. Considering your block has a 9" deck height and you are using the 5.7 inch rods instead of the 5.56's

Speed-O-Motive makes a nice "406 Long Arm" kit that gives you a reground cast crank, 5.7" rebuilt rods w/ARP bolts, hyperuetectic pistons, rings, and all the bearings for around $550. I just installed it in my motor this week and everything fits great. I used a Comp Cams 230/236 @.050 Extreme Energy Cam and stepped up to Edelbrock Performer RPM heads. Should be a great combo.

There's also nothing wrong with just doing a rebuild with the stock 400 stuff - call Comp Cams and ask their advice. As far as heads go - the Vortecs sound very interesting but by the time you throw in all the extra stuff (manifold, rockers, etc) to match up you can almost buy aluminum heads????

The 377 is a killer little engine, revs like a monster. But there is no substitute for cubic inches. Don't wast your money on "gapless rings." good luck
josh

Well,looks like just a ring job and new cam and lifters. What about the heads? Should I redo my 2.02/1.60's or look at Vortecs?

And what size cam should I use? Right now it has a 268H Comp cam and seems to be matched pretty close, but it was in a car with a T-10 4spd w/3.23 gears and don't know if the cam will work the same with a 350t and 3.73 gears!

Thanks for all the responses, and sorry for the slow response, but just became a first time dad and free time is hard to come by.

You might want to do a search on the vortech head subject.There have been alot of posts on this topic in the past few weeks.Also many on chevelles.com. This subject always gets some guys blood pumping!

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67 RS RAGTOP # matching, 4X4 CHEVY TRUCK