BCGPER
Starting Another Thread
- Location
- Sunny Arizona
I think the mythical 400 Vette engine may be partially GM's fault.
Around 1970, GM had a couple engines. The 396, and the 402. Both were labeled 400. They were both big blocks, the 402 being a de-tuned spin off of the 396. The 396 was well known to be available in a Vette. The 402 was only offered in trucks, but you could get the 396 in a truck as well.
The trim packages on the trucks just said 400, but you could have either engine, so I think that's where this orginates.
The 400 small block as far as I know, was only available in trucks and Blazers, and was introduced shortly there after and lasted untill about 1977. It was externally balanced, hence the different vibration dampner. Also, it required a 400 specific flywheel due to balancing. As Greg hinted to, it was an underpowered, gas guzzling POS and died quickly from the GM line.
Around 1970, GM had a couple engines. The 396, and the 402. Both were labeled 400. They were both big blocks, the 402 being a de-tuned spin off of the 396. The 396 was well known to be available in a Vette. The 402 was only offered in trucks, but you could get the 396 in a truck as well.
The trim packages on the trucks just said 400, but you could have either engine, so I think that's where this orginates.
The 400 small block as far as I know, was only available in trucks and Blazers, and was introduced shortly there after and lasted untill about 1977. It was externally balanced, hence the different vibration dampner. Also, it required a 400 specific flywheel due to balancing. As Greg hinted to, it was an underpowered, gas guzzling POS and died quickly from the GM line.
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