Got my 400 sbc installed today!

[Yukon Jack]

Today was a great day! A friend came over today around 1:30 pm and we set out to install the 400 sbc in my 70 K5 that I have yet to drive although I have owned it for 3 years now. :PDT_kap:

http://yuk0njack.com/70blazer/preinstall.jpg

We first yanked the front axle that was only sitting in place. That allowed us to drop the front end down. Then got to fight the motor into place. Took a bit of urging to finally get the motor lined up and the input splines to mate with the clutch - but we got it done!

http://yuk0njack.com/70blazer/installed1.jpg

http://yuk0njack.com/70blazer/installed2.jpg

Hopefully will get some free evenings this week so I can get the motor install complete and fire it up.


After my friend left I got the front axle reinstalled and then went and unloaded a load of wood from my 69 K20.

Now I need to make a list of what I need to do to get it done - can see the light at the end of the tunnel for sure!

[64longstep]

lookin good.

[Fred T]

Looks good. But it's so small. You really should have dropped a 572 in there. :D

[Mudder]

Looks good. It all takes a lot of time.

[69panel]

Looks great; have you fired it up yet?

[Yukon Jack]

Haven't fired it up yet, went out last night and had to spend some time with the wiring diagrams - I'm a little confused with what I think is the wire for the temp sending unit. It has been spliced with another line that goes behind the engine and down. The main wire goes to the firewall but not in the normal location for the temp wire. Here is a pic of where the wire goes - it is the circle wire. My 69 K20 doesn't have anything in that location. The place where I believe the temp gauge wire should be is clipped off with about 1/4" of wire left at the firewall bulkhead connector.

http://yuk0njack.com/70blazer/tempsendingwire.jpg

Just got to figure out some of these loose ends and get everything hooked up before I can fire it up. Also need to clean the power steering pump up before I reinstall it. Probably want to do that before I get the fan and other accessories installed + the fan shroud so it is easier to get to.

[Fred T]

Wiring diagrams are at http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=185665

The wire for the temp sender should be 20 ga. dark green. Looking at your picture, it should be in the firewall connector, top row, center position on the side you have installed. I've marked your picture.

I would vote for a new wire harness. Looks like the p.o. didn't do you any favors there.

[Yukon Jack]

I was kinda thinking the same thing. The prior owner wasn't the worst I've seen but here are some of the stupid things I've found:

73-up lift springs up front - now I have correct front springs
1 ramhorn, 1 passenger style manifold
Hardware store weird fitting on manifold
front brake line hanging below frame unsecured on passenger side
5" long 1/4" bolt used for passenger side upper shock mount
steering wheel barely bolted to column
Heads from a 283 on the 400 sbc

I'm sure there is more I have found, but those stand out at the moment.

The area you marked on my picture is just a short wire cut off. I can't figure out what he has spliced into the wire that I think was used for the temp sending unit. Have to trace it next time I get to the barn.

Gotta love prior owners!

[Yukon Jack]

Fred, the wire that I have circled - do you have any idea if that is a factory wire. My manual doesn't show anything in that location and there is nothing like that on my 69.

[Fred T]

My 69 doesn't even have a hole there. I would assume that it's not a factory wire, and track it down.

[Palf70Step]

Looking good Yukon. Good to see progress!

[Yukon Jack]

Anyone now what ci I end up with the 400 sbc bored .020?

[Fred T]

20 over doesn't gain much. You go from 400.9 to 404.6.

[Yukon Jack]

I'll just be rounding that off to 405 :jester:

[Fred T]

I've become a believer in boring out to the max allowed, unless it's a collectible block. If you're building for power, I want all I can get.