Need 400 SB and BB info

[442w30]

Over at v8Buick.com, someone is talking about a 330 hp small block 400. He even shows it in a manual. I think it's a typo, as the 400/330 was the 402 in 1970.

Can any of you folks help show me I'm right . . . or wrong?

http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=220114

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Yes, it is the 402 big block engine. Chevrolet called it the "400". Malibu got the 400 emblems as well as Chevrolet trucks. Not sure about other Chevrolet vehicles.

[Unreal]

Chevy did make a small block 400....not sure of the first year, but it was definitely post 69. It was externally balanced, like the 454.

[396L35]

Chevrolet did make a 400 small block but I dont know what horsepower ratings were available. Gary can type faster than me??? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[x Baldwin Motion]

the 400 small block was 70-76(pass car apps, used later in trucks til 8?) never rated at more than 265hp. 4bbl used only 74-76

my question is, were the 400 fender emblems used on both small and big block Chevelles and wagons in 1970?

or, 70 Chevelle 402BB got the 396 label, right?

[442w30]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: x Baldwin Motion</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> 70 Chevelle 402BB got the 396 label, right? </div></div>

I think it got 400 badges. However, I wonder what the air cleaner decal said?

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: x Baldwin Motion</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> 70 Chevelle 402BB got the 396 label, right? </div></div>

I think it got 400 badges. However, I wonder what the air cleaner decal said? </div></div>

If I recall - if it was an SS then it received SS396 badges on the fender and 396 decal on air cleaner lid (L34? or L78 engine), if it was not an SS it received Malibu 400 badges on fender and there is some debate on what the air cleaner lid decal - if any - was since it was a different engine (LS3 engine).

[442w30]

Thanks for your help, gentleman. However, the Buick guy still thinks it's a SBC.

[Tracker1]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for your help, gentleman. However, the Buick guy still thinks it's a SBC. </div></div>

Isn't it enough to know in your heart that he is wrong and you are right Diego?
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[442w30]

I'm just interested in what was and what wasn't.

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm just interested in what was and what wasn't. </div></div>

There wasn't a 400 BB. There was a 396 and a 402 that was called a 396.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/sleep.gif

[442w30]

But I believe it had 400 badges on Chevelles?

[PeteLeathersac]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But I believe it had 400 badges on Chevelles? </div></div>

Yes 400 badges if a non SS LS3 car..
I was looking a ragtop one on eBay a few weeks ago when researching a a cool Canadian LS3 non SS Coupe that was a drag car from new..
Not sure if correct but I think the eBay car had a 402 air cleaner decal?.
Pic of the Canadian docs for the non SS LS3 Coupe is here if anyone's interested?.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[69 Post Sedan]

I know it's not a 1970 but it is a non SS 1972 Chevelle with a 402 BBC and it has 400 badges on the fender. It's a factory 402 4-Speed 4 door!

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3070726&amp;postcount=38

Kurt

[Tracker1]

The guy is quoting a Chilton's auto repair manual??????!!!!!! Those things are notorious for typographical errors when it comes to engine specs. NO SMALL BLOCK 400 CHEVY HAD A 4bbl CARB IN 1970! Bet he can't find one other source that has that same info. It's a typo, tell him to stick to nailheads.

[Tracker1]

Good lesson for him here:

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2010/12/01/hmn_feature1.html

and here:

http://www.shapeconsulting.com/malibu400/

[volspeed1970]

A little info regarding this topic from an automotive author friend of mine: The LS3 402/330hp engine could be ordered in any non-SS equipped Chevelle model. This included coupes, convertibles, 4-door hardtops or sedans, El Caminos, and even the station wagons. Chevrolet referred to this engine as the <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">“330hp - 400 Turbo-Jet V8”</span></span> in a magazine ad in 1970. That is why most Chevelle enthusiasts refer to these cars as “Malibu 400’s”. When this engine was ordered it did not come with the SS engine chrome accents (valve covers and air cleaner lid), but it did get the 12-bolt rear axle. Also of note was the air cleaner was a single snorkel closed element type. The decals on the air cleaner lid were the <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">“cross flags” with 400, and the horsepower read 330</span></span>. Unlike the SS models, power disc brakes were not a required option. These cars had no visual differences indicating what was under the hood other than the “400” engine emblem located above the side marker lights on the fenders. The SS’ domed hood, and the ZL-2 “cowl induction” hood were not available with this engine option. Most people aware of the &quot;new for 70&quot; 400 small block which was only available in the Monte Carlo and fullsize cars, and assumed when they saw a Malibu with the 400 engine emblem on the fenders it was for a small block. That is not the case as the 400 small block was never installed in the Chevelle. Also the small block 400 is referred to as a <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">&quot;Turbo-Fire&quot;</span></span> engine like all other small blocks were in 1970.

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: volspeed1970</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A little info regarding this topic from an automotive author friend of mine: The LS3 402/330hp engine could be ordered in any non-SS equipped Chevelle model. This included coupes, convertibles, 4-door hardtops or sedans, El Caminos, and even the station wagons. Chevrolet referred to this engine as the <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">“330hp - 400 Turbo-Jet V8”</span></span> in a magazine ad in 1970. That is why most Chevelle enthusiasts refer to these cars as “Malibu 400’s”. When this engine was ordered it did not come with the SS engine chrome accents (valve covers and air cleaner lid), but it did get the 12-bolt rear axle. Also of note was the air cleaner was a single snorkel closed element type. The decals on the air cleaner lid were the <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">“cross flags” with 400, and the horsepower read 330</span></span>. Unlike the SS models, power disc brakes were not a required option. These cars had no visual differences indicating what was under the hood other than the “400” engine emblem located above the side marker lights on the fenders. The SS’ domed hood, and the ZL-2 “cowl induction” hood were not available with this engine option. Most people aware of the &quot;new for 70&quot; 400 small block which was only available in the Monte Carlo and fullsize cars, and assumed when they saw a Malibu with the 400 engine emblem on the fenders it was for a small block. That is not the case as the 400 small block was never installed in the Chevelle. Also the small block 400 is referred to as a <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">&quot;Turbo-Fire&quot;</span></span> engine like all other small blocks were in 1970.



</div></div>


this sounds like the info the Buick guy was originally looking for. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[442w30]

He still believes the 400/330 was a SBC installed in the big cars.

[volspeed1970]

Ahh the old Motors Auto Repair Manuals...lots of great info but some of the info is not really clear. Those manuals do not differentiate between the 400 big block and small blocks thus where the confusion lies. I pulled both my 1970 and 1971 manuals and neither show the 400/330 as a big block or a small block, just a 400 4bbl engine. If this guy would read Alan Colvin's CBTN books he would understand. The engine codes in the Motors Auto Repair Manuals from both 70 &amp; 71 show the engine codes with the correct hp ratings for each application, but it takes Alan's book to differentiate which engine is the small block and which is the big block.Tell him in 1970 the big cars didn't get the 400bb, only the small block as the only big block available in the 1970 models was the 454. In 1971 that changed as both small block and big block 400's were available in the big cars. The 400 sb still wasn't available in the Chevelle series either. Good luck with convincing him though I don't think you will be successful.

[442w30]

It's just a friendly debate - they were talking about the new-for-69 396-2 and then he says, &quot;I found this rare 400 SBC that not many people know about . . . 330 hp.&quot; The book lists the bore and stroke incorrectly, so that's why he's being stubborn.