400/350 swap

[tgzzzz]

Sorry to beat a dead horse: I have a 400 engine available to replace my blown 350 in an '86 1 ton motorhome chassis. A couple of local gurus suggest not doing it saying there were head/cooling issues with the 400 which is why Chevy dropped that engine. Any thoughts on that issue or the swap generally? It looks like a direct bolt-in swap except that the oil dipstick is on the other (driver's) side, no small thing with that 4' long dipstick. To me, it looks like another 50 sorely needed cubes and at least 10 hp.

[jimbo543]

you MUST use a 400 dampner and flexplate. otherwise drop it in.
while engine out have radiator cleaned.

[PAPA BEAR]

my wife's dad had a 400 in an old service truck went through 3 wrecks 2 different truck cabs finally wound up in a 76 blazer still runs OK

[chevyguy]

it will run a few degrees hotter. not a big deal. Probally wont notice it since it wont have to work as hard as the 350 did to move it down the road. The 400 is a fine engine, go for it.

[tgzzzz]

Sounds good. Thanks

[436'd skylark]

The big about 400s is that they run hot since the bores are so large that they are actually siamiezed. They run steam hole between the bores instead of actual cooling passages. Not a great system but it works. 400s are pretty torquey, you'll like it. I'd do it.