First off, i say it's a 408 but i believe it's a 400 small block. I bought this baby modified and i'm unsure about it's condition or anything. Looking at it (pics below) you can see that it's a beauty.

The mods are as listed:
bowtie heads,205 and 160 valves,roller cam,roller rockers,super vic intake,750 holley db pumper,150 dome pistons w/pink rods,crowler roller lifters,MSD dist,,built 350 turbo trans w/shift kit,3200 b&m stall.

it's all in a 1974 Camaro. I have a 1978 Camaro with a 350 which runs but atm the interior is getting remodeled.

So i know NOTHING about engines...well i know more than most people but that's not saying much. I know if it's a carburetor and won't start i check for: compression, spark and fuel. But the mods listed above, besides telling you i know they're all inside the engine mods (transmission and MSD distributor) that's about all i know\understand. I know and understand the concept of an engine, how it works. I know what pistons are, what the distributor is, i understand the holly db pumper. as for the rest, beats me.

Now i've gotten myself an engine lift and stand and i'm preparing to remove the 408 out of the 74 and my plan is to remove pretty much everything an inspect it, get a gasket kit and replace them all. From there i'll decide if i wanna drop it in the 78 (which means new transmission and such) or put it back in the 74 and restore that one as well.

let me say again that i have NO idea what i'm doing. i have some friends who've restored engines and done more than i'm considering doing now, but they are hard to get a hold of and harder to get over to help out. As it is, i've been shown how to remove the engine without damaging anything and that's my first step.

What should i get or where should i go to get specs on the 400 small block (if that is infact what i have)? What things should i know\research and where would be a good place to start looking?
any pointers?
really, i know i have a lot to start learning but i'm unsure where to begin.

Thanks for the help.
Carter

 

a good start would be to find the block numbers. should be on the block on a pad at the front or back of the head, that number should tell u a little about the block. much of what u ask will not be known untill u take the motor apart.

 

http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...oding-help.asp
Then get yourself a good repair manual.

 

Ok. I couldn't find the block stamp code... i see where it should be but it's not there...

the block casting code was on the drivers side...maybe i just couldn't find it, but i looked real good on the passengers side. The only markings on the passengers side was "T6". The only code i found was on the driver side back there. The code is: 380817

both head casting code are 14011034. Between the second and third pistons (front of engine) there are also markings. idk if they're important but the drivers side is: A194
passengers side: A124

 

If the sides of the block have three casting plugs (freeze plugs), it's definitely a 400. But not all 400's had three plugs though.
The block casting number is on the drivers side, top of the bellhousing flange. What is it?
As long as the block hasn't been decked, you should have your partial VIN and the assembly/suffix code stamped on that pad that's sticking out in front of the passenger side head.

 

The 817 is a 400 casting 2 bolt main.

 

330817 is a 400, not 380817 as Bing stated. Maybe he misread it?

 

i could have miss read it, it was very hard to read, and i was getting my 3's and 8's mixed up.

 

Any updates? I'm just curious but why not keep it in the 74?

 

yes, updates!

it IS a 400small block. 330817 is the correct reading.

Why not keep it in the 74? Good questions, and the answer is, i am going to keep it in the 74. The 78 is so close to being ready to be on the road i'm gonna finish it up and after having some fun either sell the mustang or the 78 and get $$ for the 74. I'm still removing the engine from the 74 so i can inspect it and replace all the gaskets.