HRM history of the SBC omitted the 400"?

[PackardV8]

The January 2017 Hot Rod Magazine has a fairly comprehensive article on the history of the SBC. However, I read the article twice and didn't see any mention of the late, great 400". Considering the 1970-1980 400" block was so widely built for so long as a hot rod engine (Any estimate as to how many 406"s Joe Sherman, et al have built?) and that the 4.125" bore size is the one which has survived as the most often used aftermarket 23-degree block, that there's no mention whatsoever just seems inexcusable.

They should have covered it and explained because the SBC 400" coincided with the BBC heyday, Chevrolet never built a performance version of the 400", never offered it in the Corvette and most car 400"s were low compression 2-bbls. Even more odd, the best factory 400" was a 4-bbl dual exhaust 4-bolt version used in 2500-series vans and some police cars.

[bigjoe1]

PRETTY SAD-- I still build a few if they can find a good 400 core to use




JOE SHERMAN RACING

[cjperformance]

In a way similar to the Ford 400 Cleveland in that no performance version was offered, a very under sung engine indeed doing duty in full size passenger cars and F series. 4" bore 4" stroke made it pretty torquey even as smogged up as it became by the end of its life but was kind of seen as a boat anchor by many folk. Now every man and his dog is putting 4" cranks in thier C & W SBF's
Its a shame both of these 400's didnt get a decent run of factory Hi-Po ingredients.
And yes Im very surprised that Chevy's 400 didnt get a mention in that !!

[novadude]

Even more odd, the best factory 400" was a 4-bbl dual exhaust 4-bolt version used in 2500-series vans and some police cars.

I never knew they had a factory dual exhaust version of the 400. I thought most came with 2-bbls or Q-jets in single exhaust 70-76 full size wagons and such.

[PackardV8]

I never knew they had a factory dual exhaust version of the 400. I thought most came with 2-bbls or Q-jets in single exhaust 70-76 full size wagons and such.

Trucks/vans/police cars were sometimes different than what came in generic cars. My friend who's the SBC expert hypothesizes most trucks got BBCs and the vans got the 400" SBC to be able to use a smaller doghouse.

[SupStk]

There were loads of 4 barrel 400s in pickups, vans and class C motorhomes. Never seen a factory installed 4 bolt in a C, K or G chassis

[hpetew]

So what would 410 sprint car racing be without 400 chevys?

[englertracing]

360"

[Krooser]

Did they mention that Studebaker designed the engine?

[panic]

They needed the space to feature another $200,000 1968 Camaro... because we can never do that enough.

[Walter R. Malik]

Just simply another somewhat informative magazine article with usual inaccuracies and omitted facts.
Par for the course.

[PackardV8]

Did they mention that Studebaker designed the engine?

And used it in the '70s Avanti II.

[Krooser]

Did they mention that Studebaker designed the engine?

And used it in the '70s Avanti II.

I'm waiting for the story on the Lowe designed Edsel...

[F-BIRD'88]

In 1970 only you could get a 10:1 cr 330HP 400 SBC in the Caprice.
4bbl Qjet , 4 bolt mains , 441X heads , flat tops, 929 cam, dual exhaust.
Car had a th400 and 12 bolt rear.
This was my first 400 SBC, in my 68 Chevelle. I bought the 70 Caprice off the back row of the local used car lot, just to get this 400 sbc out of it.

I stuck a 327-350hp cam and Z28 valve springs and a performer intake on it.
Eventually the block cracked (no antifreeze). But the motor was a rocket.
It was faster than any of my 396's and almost as fast as my LS-5 454.

[tresi]

I don't even bother picking up Hot Rod or any other car magazine any more. The should be ashamed of what they put out these days