After much confusion, assembly lube, and rod bearings falling out of their positions... I have my 400 short block built up! Looks like I have a shot at getting this thing done in time for Montana yet :D
Dano:beers:
757758

Looks good Dan. You do know you don't have the rods in their numbered holes, right? Just make sure they're the correct direction (tangs out).

Good job.

Jody

hey i have some nice world heads to put on that short block .. of course than i would need to put the engine in my camaro just to make sure it runs well ... don't worry i will give it back when i am done testing the engine out .. in about 5 years! :)

lookin good Dano, stay on it!

Looks good Dan. You do know you don't have the rods in their numbered holes, right? Just make sure they're the correct direction (tangs out).Good job.Jody

Yeagh...We layed out and numbered everything at the start. I made sure that all of the factory scribe marks in the pistons faced the front, but forgot about the wider chamfers on the rods...I had to remove a couple of pistons and send them to the other side of the block to get everything right... Next on the list is the oil pump, then I can drill the new AFR 195's for the steam holes and get them ready. Still lots to do, but I think the "hard part" is done now. Today is in the low 70's here in Seattle and I'm just itchin' to get the car going again. I think I have Camaro withdrawals :)
Dano

Looks good Dan, sorry I was not able to make it to Don's for the assembly party, had some yard work to do after spending the whole day at the race track on Saturday running my 406... Don and I had a great time there running our cars. My car is now running 11.33 @ 119.5mph, and we haven't started on carb tuning yet. Damn, thing won't RPM over 7,000, got to figure that out. Of course Don had to turn on the laughing gas for his last run in the Nova and run a 10.3. Can't wait to get you to the track for the CCC.

Later Mike

Looking good dan! This weather we have been getting has got to be getting to you. I know it is me, Ive had a winters worth of yardwork to do plus a couple little things I'm doing to my car. Its sleeping in the garage up on jackstands currently.
On a side note, did you clearance any rods for cam interference? You did check right? Reason I ask is moving the rods around could negate any clearancing done. Just a heads up, I'm sure you guys got it handled :thumbsup:

Looks good Dano, the hard part is behind you. I'm not sure what rods you are running but, as Sean said, you might want to make sure the rods clear the cam. It is a stock stroke so you should be ok but, it depends on the rods.

The rods are 5.7 I-beams. They have been clearanced already. Everyhting should go a bit quicker from here on out. :thumbsup:
Dano

Can't wait to see the look on some mechanics face years from now as he reads the rod numbers... :D
I've run into to some wierd combinations myself over the years...

"Today is in the low 70's here in Seattle and I'm just itchin' to get the car going again"
The leaves on your 'shade tree' should be poppin' out anytime now Dano and you can get all the mechanical stuff completed ;)
Looking forward to seeing the rest of the build!
"Get 'er Done" :thumbsup:

ps: the oil pump only goes in one way... :) :beers:

ps: the oil pump only goes in one way... :) :beers:

I know that. My engine guru wants to take it apart and blueprint it. i figure it's got about a 50/50 shot of working after we're done :)

Dano

...My engine guru wants to take it apart and blueprint it...

Dano

Then You listen to your wife there Dano :D - she's a smart lady and knows engines and slot-machines inside-out ;)
Blueprinting a pump is sometimes like pin-stripping your floor pans... It doesn't usually hurt - but, few would notice...
Checking the cover plate and gear clearances is a good idea.
Also remember to set the pan clearance and weld (tack) the Pick-up in place.
Most over the counter pumps perform just fine. Stay away from any "Racing" High-Pressure/High Volume types if you plan to cruise at freeway speeds for long trips. These can lead to oil and windage control issues.
I usually stick with a GM #3848907 pump or install the #3848911 "Z" Spring (60~70 PSI max.) in a good 'stock' type pump from a reputable manufacturer for most performance street and marine engines.
Use a good pump drive shaft and remember that the 400 requires a special one :thumbsup:

Looking forward to hearing it run sometime :hurray:

John

Looking real good there :thumbsup:

Cylinder cross-hatch ?

Can't tell but was the block decked before boring so you get the cylinders a true 45 degrees and the important one 90 dgrees to the crankshaft????????

MrDanB,
Is it just the way I am hloding my head, or is the number 6 rod not perpendicular to the bore? Looks slightly crooked......
Of course at 4:30am, I might just be needing some coffee to see things "right". :)
Chris

nope, Everythings just fine with it...Everything turns freely and is installed correctly. I'll know how I did in about a month when I fire it up ;)
Dano

Got the cam in, cleaned up the oil pump-got it bolted on, got the timing chain set on, received new shipment of Summit parts, and got the new street damper painted up and ready to go. Next will be drilling holes in the AFR heads for the steam to escape and get them ready for installation. It's really coming together now. I will post more pics next time I work on it...
Dano:thumbsup:

Cool dan :thumbsup: .
Now, since you know my position an the steam holes, I'll spare you that ;) . OK, I'm sure you and the guy helping you know this, but just a reminder, the steam holes are not all straight, half of them are at an angle, like 40* if I recall. If the guy helping you has a bench and drill press this is the best way to do it. This may be old news to you, but I have seen this mistake made, then you have head repair to deal with. Just do a search if you don't already have the info, I dont know the exact specifics, because well, I never drill the steam holes :p .
Good luck with it, glad to hear its coming along.

keep at it Dan, and lets see some more pics.
and yes, I'd drill stean holes, but as Sean said, been there talked about that.

I'd talk to AFR about the steam holes, they made the heads and should know ;) On mine, Edelbrock recommended only the three holes on the exhaust side, they also tell you what angle to drill the holes at -- every casting is different so 30* may be right for one brand it might be completely wrong for another.

I'd talk to AFR about the steam holes, they made the heads and should know ;) On mine, Edelbrock recommended only the three holes on the exhaust side, they also tell you what angle to drill the holes at -- every casting is different so 30* may be right for one brand it might be completely wrong for another.

Yeagh, I downloaded some info off their website...They have recommendations for everything. If I remember correctly....You use the head gasket as a template and drill at "X" degrees with a "X" size drill bit. I think the data said 2 or 3 holes per head. Should be pretty straightforward. Just gotta git er done :)
Dano

My machinist recommended plugging the intake-side holes in the block, along with tapping the large coolant holes for a pipe plug with a hole drilled in it, then decking the block.

http://www.airflowresearch.com/ look under FAQ'S and you will see what they recommend on 400 heads.

Thanks HogDaddy. That's the FAQ's that I downloaded...Good info to have!
Dano:thumbsup:

Got the cam in, timing cover on, oil pump/pickup welded in, oil pan torqued down, heads cleaned up/reassembled and almost ready for install!! A few more trips over to my friends shop and I'll be ready to R&R the mills...
http://www.camaros.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=832&stc=1&d=1148261047
http://www.camaros.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=832&stc=1&d=1148260805
http://www.camaros.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=834&stc=1&d=1148261066
:thumbsup:

Looking good Dan. You are on the downhill slide now.

you gotta shop like that at your disposal and were thinking of a crate motor?

you gotta shop like that at your disposal and were thinking of a crate motor?

Well Jim...this is my first complete build from a bare block. The pics don't do the shop justice! it's a monster!! Thing is, it's hard for us to get together to work on it. I personally only have a 2+ car garage...Anyway, I'm excited to get the heads bolted on next time, lifters, rocker arms, etc. It IS getting close. I got the fender crease all massaged out and reshot it in bc/cc GM #52... I am gonna take the car out for the first time in 6+ months to see how the posi and front sway bar hold up (gotta take it easy with the new posi unit for the first few cruises) Then just before the trip I will swap all the fluids and double check everything... Looking forward to Montana in about 6 weeks or so! :thumbsup:
Dano

Thought I would update this thread... We ended up NOT getting the engine done in time for the Montana cruise, but we did get her fired up in March this year. She sounds better than the 327 did. After burn in with rotella oil and GM additive, we dumped the burn-in oil and it had a slight metallic look to it.
The Holley 4150 works well! I drove the car on 40-100 mile trips, keeping the driving style mixed up (no long freeway cruises)
Once the engine was dialed in, I took the car up to Vancouver island and had a new Tremec TKO600 conversion done at MarkLW's place! I can't believe I drove the car with a column shifter in it for so many years :D I am guessing that I increased my fuel economy by about 25-30% with the OD trans. It is a blast to drive now and I am happy with the results!
Next will be adjustable shocks, paint touch up and a dyno tune on the 406. Thanks to everyone who chimed in while I was building this engine. i sure am having fun with it! :beers: :thumbsup:
Dano:yes:

Pics...

awesome Dan! :thumbsup:

Jody