Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific Mouse & Rat Motor Discussion & Conversions

400 Sbc

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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 02:19 PM
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Default 400 Sbc

how much is a 509 400 SBC casting worth?

it has been dipped and cleaned and looks new

thanks!

not bored out, just the block, no crank or anything
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 02:49 PM
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ru selling or buying?
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ATCFLYBOY02
ru selling or buying?
buying
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 10:50 PM
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Around here they are selling for $450-$500. The cheapest that I have bought them for here lately is $350.
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 10:55 PM
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thanks, i was getting a ton of mixed answers

some people i see are saying they are only worth $100 while others are buying them for $700 so i have been confused.

and you are talking about a bare block, correct?
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by slvr98camaro
thanks, i was getting a ton of mixed answers

some people i see are saying they are only worth $100 while others are buying them for $700 so i have been confused.

and you are talking about a bare block, correct?
Correct, but some times they are stock short blocks depending on how they want to get rid of them.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 07:54 AM
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Bare block or does it have the main caps? If no caps then closer to the $100 figure, with caps then $350-400
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by 1QWIKBIRD
Bare block or does it have the main caps? If no caps then closer to the $100 figure, with caps then $350-400
it has the main caps
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 10:58 AM
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3-400$ around here. All the round track guys buy them up and won't let go of them.

Casting # 509 is a 4 bolt main block if my memory serves me correct.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:32 AM
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Any chance of finding a 511 block? It's the only 4 bolt main 400 block. That is suppose to be the best of the 400's. I've got a 509 block in my '70 and it's still going strong after almost 10 years of abuse.

Last edited by myfast70; Aug 3, 2008 at 02:15 PM.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by BAKED
3-400$ around here. All the round track guys buy them up and won't let go of them.

Casting # 509 is a 4 bolt main block if my memory serves me correct.
The 509 block is a 2 bolt main that has a heavier casting and is more sought after. The 511 block's were 4 bolt mains. I haven't had any problem's with any of the 817, 509, or the 511 blocks in my circle track race motors, they are all in the 580-700 hp range depending on what the customer want's.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 1997bird
The 509 block is a 2 bolt main that has a heavier casting and is more sought after. The 511 block's were 4 bolt mains. I haven't had any problem's with any of the 817, 509, or the 511 blocks in my circle track race motors, they are all in the 580-700 hp range depending on what the customer want's.
hey, do you have any pictures of these blocks?

can you take a picture of the core shift (on the cam bore) and a picture from the bottom end showing how thin the cylinder walls were?
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 07:25 AM
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check for visual cracks betwen the steam holes and head bolts holes. i would get it magged before the purchase. i just sold my fully prepped 400. i aligned honed it with studs, decked it to 9", and bore and honed it .030' over with a deck plate, for 575.00. cheap, yeah i thought so.
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by slvr98camaro
hey, do you have any pictures of these blocks?

can you take a picture of the core shift (on the cam bore) and a picture from the bottom end showing how thin the cylinder walls were?
No, I don't have any pics for you. The cylinder walls are thicker than you think. I had a 509 block that I got in from a customer that was already .060" over and need to be looked at. When we sonic checked the block it still had .285" at the thinest point of the worst cylinder bore (this block was in real bad shape & has been saved for a later date on some oversize sleeves). We also attemped to try to save a 511 block for a customer and abandoned the project. However we did have the block bored out to 4.377" and had quite a bit of cylinder wall integrity left even with the large crack running down the length of the cylinder.
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 1997bird
The 509 block is a 2 bolt main that has a heavier casting and is more sought after. The 511 block's were 4 bolt mains. I haven't had any problem's with any of the 817, 509, or the 511 blocks in my circle track race motors, they are all in the 580-700 hp range depending on what the customer want's.
Thanks for the refresher, it's bee a while since I've messed with any old school stuff.
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by 1997bird
No, I don't have any pics for you. The cylinder walls are thicker than you think. I had a 509 block that I got in from a customer that was already .060" over and need to be looked at. When we sonic checked the block it still had .285" at the thinest point of the worst cylinder bore (this block was in real bad shape & has been saved for a later date on some oversize sleeves). We also attemped to try to save a 511 block for a customer and abandoned the project. However we did have the block bored out to 4.377" and had quite a bit of cylinder wall integrity left even with the large crack running down the length of the cylinder.
thanks, i was looking at the bottom of the cylinder , through where the crank would be, and the bottoms of the bores were like paper thin

although they are the same way on my 327 block, it has a bit more than the 509 though
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 05:17 PM
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I have 12 of the 400 blocks. The 509 block in my opinion is the best block there is unless you go with an aftermarket block. Be careful with the 817blockthere are 2 817 . One is 330817 the other is 3030817. 3030817 is the better block. I have blocks that are ready to put together to virgin blocks. They go from 350. to 700.
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by flirtnwithdisaster
I have 12 of the 400 blocks. The 509 block in my opinion is the best block there is unless you go with an aftermarket block. Be careful with the 817blockthere are 2 817 . One is 330817 the other is 3030817. 3030817 is the better block. I have blocks that are ready to put together to virgin blocks. They go from 350. to 700.
thanks man, could you do me a huge favor?

take a picture of the 509 block, i know the core shift/wall thickness doesnt matter, but im just a curious person

can you take a picture of the cam bore, and of inside of the engine (looking down crank side) i just want to see how thin the walls are to compare
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 09:31 PM
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i'll do it tomorow
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