I picked up a 400 sbc the other day. When i pulled the timing cover off, i noticed it had a double roller timing chain. Is this stock or should this indicate that the engine was rebuilt or had a cam swap? How much did stock (74-79 "509")400 chevy's with stock 882's make? now, how much would that same engine make with 1 3/4 long tube headers, airgap intake, edelbrock 750cfm make? Cam is unknown, lets just say stock cam specs because i don't know what it has...
thanks

The 73 engine I have in the garage has a plastic timing gear on top, not a long term deal there. Could have been a routine replacement. Stock 400 with a four barrel and exhaust should put out 300 HP with ease. Get the compression up and improve the cam and make some serious power.

I would say Stock the engine would produce about 200hp. The HP sucked but the 400s had some torque

Max stock HP was 265 I believe. And no, they never came with a double roller timing set. 882 heads aren't great, but with intake, headers, and a cam swap you would be over 300 HP easy, probably 325. A 400 with GOOD aftermarket heads is what makes you smile http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by badazz81z28:
I would say Stock the engine would produce about 200hp. The HP sucked but the 400s had some torque</font>

198 Hp according to the book for a 79'. Mine had a D.R. Timing Chain. Mine is at the builder now. Getting 2nd gen Vortec heads, Edy brock intake, headers, 600cfm Edy brock carb.

You have to remember that the 400 SB got the great old, little-bitty -929 cam!!

It was used in eveything from the 195/220hp/283, 200hp/307, 210/250/275/300hp/327, 295/300hp/350 and finally the 175/180/---/265hp/400!!

I figure a good old CC 268HE is about right to turn her RIGHT-ON and still let it idle and run like a stocker!!

pdq67

Pdq67,

What is the CC268HE cam you refer to? I too have just acquired a complete 400 and am about to start building it. Need all the info I can get.

Thanks,
Jim

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1975 Camaro
1973 Trans Am 455, 4-spd
1971 Firebird

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Burt:
Pdq67,

What is the CC268HE cam you refer to? I too have just acquired a complete 400 and am about to start building it. Need all the info I can get.

Thanks,
Jim

</font>

The cam PDQ mentions is the Compcams High Energy 268 cam. It's 218 @ .050 and .460 lift. IMO one of the best all around daily driver/good power cams there is!

Yeah, the 268H (or the 270 Magnum)is a great cam for a mild 400sbc. My brother had the 268H cam in his 400 (in a '68 Camaro). The combo was very mild, stock heads, Performer intake, headers, Holley 600 etc. but that car was quick! My guess was low-mid 13's (motor only) with stock gears.

He threw a 125HP shot on it and swapped on the Hoosier QT's when it was time to play, lol!!