62 Studebaker engine gets a little warmer than I like . Doing some inspection and found out it was a 400 sbc. Steam hole stopped up on drivers side engine block.
Don't get rid of your 400 sbc guys. Dry deck it and you will never have a over heat problem again. Dry decking is plugging the 3large holes on the deck at the top of the block drill a 3/16 hole in the plug, plug the steam holes with set screws. You will have to have the block decked and that's it. Mine in a 55 Chevy making 595 hp ran at 160 all the time, I have built probably a dozen of these engines and people love them tons of torque and no over heat problems
To figure out if it's a 350 or a 400 is easy. Just take a look at the harmonic balancer. The 400 is externally balanced so it's bigger/thicker on one side. A 350 balancer is the same all the way around.
dam there is a lot of confusion on here about 400 sbc. there are 3 400 blocks. one has 3 freeze plugs 2 others have 2. the one with 3 is a 511 casting . the other 2 are 817. and 509. the 509 is the most sought after. lots of the 511 blocks are 4 bolt main. you can take this info to the bank .
I have a 400, not sure what model, and can't get to it to check the casting #'s are, at the moment, Im fairly sure it's a 2bolt, I have heard the 2bolt is more desirable, just use studs for more strength, it's the first 400 I have had, it is . 030" over, without heads, I have aluminum heads, but will require drilling steam holes, do you have anymore useful info on these engines? It would be appreciated greatly!
I hope you get this engine cleaned out and will work out for you, Lloyd. I've ran these SMB 400 before in my hotrods and I love'em. You might have to "Boil out" the block to get all gunk out. TBL on this.
Mate i struggled with this for 2 years and mine was a 650 hp 406 I tamed it eventually heres what i did, remember these were fine when at 8.1 comp, mine was running at 10.5.1 On the manifold run water cross overs from front to back on the manifold, there will be block off plugs x 4, dropped temp by around 5 degrees. Need to cool the oil, i ran a large oil cooler and remote filter, good for 5 degrees Got rid of mechanical fuel pump and went electric in the back of the car, cooled the fuel down. I also put a composite carb spacer. Big electric fans mounted on a sealed frame. Ran a rad support block off so all air has to go through radiator not over the rad support. Took out some timing. This all took my car from running at 220 to 240, to sitting at 190 to 200
They only made the 400 for about 10 years. Made some improvements over the years . I think for the most part they are good engines, they just don't like contaminated coolant . Thanks and take care
I've had 7 sbc 400 and none ever ran hot . With an aluminum radiator and electric fans usually does the trick as long as the block and heads have been properly cleaned.
You had some good information about the 400 I didn't know. You got that engine torn down pretty quickly. Well darn, more work but in the end it's the right thing to do.
I don't know if you get this the upper steam holes on the block do not appear to have been started but did not drill all the way through is center pistons steam holes should I go ahead and drill them out
It appears that block was not dipped and cleaned properly before it was assembled. This is a prime example of the importance of cleaning everything the right way when your building an engine.
It was filled with metal shavings left over after the machine shop. They didn't wash it out when they were done. I get to have the fun flushing all that stuff out. Thanks Stan and take care
Thanks Gary, it will have be busy for a while but I think it will be fine. I cleaned the block out today and will get my parts this week. Have a great week.
The best way to check if you have a head gasket problem is to take the car to someplace that does emissions testing. They take the radiator cap off start the car. Then they hold the probe that they stick up the exhaust pipe near where the radiator cap goes. If there is any hydrocarbons at all it leaks. Sometimes I get a car that just barely leaks and its hard to tell if that is the problem any other way.
I agree but I don't have a gas analyzer handy. I felt reasonably comfortable with it be a 400 a steam hole was stopped up or covered up . The water jacket was filled with lots of metal shavings and stopped up the vent. Thanks Ken and have a great week.
I know You will fix it the right way ...It sucks pulling the engine and removing all the freeze plugs and flushing it...I have used 350 heads on a 400 ...I used the head gasket as a Template and drilled the holes in the head ...It saved the owner from having a set of heads redone since we had a good set off a 350 ones
I broke a ring in #1 cylinder in my built 406 ,only 1 steam hole was stopped up an that's where the piston ring broke I'm guessing that's why it broke but idk
Wow sorry to see you having trouble with the Studebaker already. Good trick with that big funnel to see if it is a blown head gasket and bubbles showing up. Man filings left in there from the machine shop geez. That should have all been boiled out before they put the engine back together. Well pulling the engine and redoing it really is the only safe way.
I like the funnel , it make filling the radiator easy. It looked like a machine shop floor in the water jackets. I pulled it and flushed it out good. Thanks Larry, have a great week.
Hi, good video. I recently bought a 400 built, and I know you have to have steam holes in those heads, or you’ll be in worse shape. Thanks for sharing your insight.
Man, I need you to come up to Denver and help me get my 65 Mustang on the road. ;-) I would have never thought to use a magnet to see what's down in the water jacket.
It was tuff till I figured out it was a 400. I knew if those steam holes stopped up it would cause overheating problems. Lucky me...haha, Thanks and take care
I see far more 400's with two freeze plugs than three and this experience is from working in automotive machine shops. I have three 400's at work right now and all of them are 8 plug blocks (2 per side)
That sucks (Blows) that whoever built it didn't do it right. Lot of work but this way you can check the cam and rods, bearings and so forth. Headers seem to have more problems then benefits on a daily drive set up. Lot of extra heat.... Good job on the vid
Yah i ran into a similar problem, i have a 400 block in mine too, 275 crane cam if i am not mistaken. These blocks are very finicky if it comes down to heat management, i found that slurry in my overflow tank.. I flushed the engine with distilled water and added a chemical coolant wash to it. Then drive it get it to operating temp, let it cool down, drain it all.. then coolant 50/50 and coolant system rust inhibitor...seemed to have taken care of my issue. Not sure if this also worked on the steam holes but no more sludge in the engine that's for sure. Without taking it apart..
This was the first 400 I had. I was aware of the steam holes but never had seen the holes stop up like that before. The previous owner must have really neglected the cooling system. After cleaning the water jackets out and reassembling it runs around 180 to 190. I think it will be good now. Thanks and enjoy your week.
Oh man that sucks. Altho its a good excuse to go over the motor and make sure its correct. I sure hope none of that made it to the radiator! Take care and bring us along I would like to see how it goes!
Was the second head any lighter than the first one? :-) I grunted right along with you, Lloyd! Big job, but hey, winter is on it's way and we all need indoor projects. Good luck with it.
I get the grunt out of my system on the first one...haha, The leave are slowly starting to fall here . You are right winter is coming before we know it. Have a great week Dale
@@RustyGlovebox your welcome I'm in the process of rebuilding, mine came out a 1971 c20 I have had this engine over 25 yrs my dad gave me the truck when I was 15 I would have kept the truck but it was to far rusted
That's a bummer. any way to step a shop vac hose down small enough to get down there and you can use water and compressed air to blow that junk out? I think there are companies that can back flush crud out the block but the engine i assume has to be together.
What a bummer buddy. But I guess you just have to make it your own so you know what's going on with it. Good luck with the pull and repair . Did you get the email address? Catch you later and take care. VW:-)
I own it now. I pulled it out and flushed the water jackets out. Everything is looking good now. Planning on going back together with it. Have a great week.
If your going to tear a motor down that far it is best to pull it out of the vehicle so you can inspect everything properly. Not too mention make it easier to work on.
The engine was in the car when I bought it. I did remove it and the block had lots of metal shavings in the water jackets. I guess it was left in after machining. Thanks
I pulled it and removed the freeze plugs. Used the pressure washer to get all that stuff out of the water jackets. I'll be checking it over and reinstall it. Thanks Buzz and enjoy your week.
Not "all" 400's have three per side. In fact, more common they only have two as those are the later blocks. Three in my shop right now, all have two per side.
@@whiplashmachine I have see a fue that had to like the 350. But they was. Late production had small valves. Have always been told.to stay away from the late production due to poor casting. I do have 5 of the 3 freeze plug 400 blocks
@@thomasallen6206 Absolutely nothing wrong with the later 509 and 817 castings.(two plugs per side or 8 plug blocks) We used them many times for our super late model class engines destroked to 353ci and making upwards of 700 hp at over 8000rpm. They are the most common blocks and I have 3 here I am machining/ building right now.
Great job, like the way you clean the metal from block ....please post the next video part 2 of cleaning the engine block
Thanks, will do!
Don't get rid of your 400 sbc guys. Dry deck it and you will never have a over heat problem again. Dry decking is plugging the 3large holes on the deck at the top of the block drill a 3/16 hole in the plug, plug the steam holes with set screws. You will have to have the block decked and that's it. Mine in a 55 Chevy making 595 hp ran at 160 all the time, I have built probably a dozen of these engines and people love them tons of torque and no over heat problems
To figure out if it's a 350 or a 400 is easy.
Just take a look at the harmonic balancer. The 400 is externally balanced so it's bigger/thicker on one side. A 350 balancer is the same all the way around.
Good info, Thanks for sharing
The steam holes between the bores, siamesed cylinders and the calipers. Your welcome.
dam there is a lot of confusion on here about 400 sbc. there are 3 400 blocks. one has 3 freeze plugs 2 others have 2. the one with 3 is a 511 casting . the other 2 are 817. and 509. the 509 is the most sought after. lots of the 511 blocks are 4 bolt main. you can take this info to the bank .
Thanks , you have some great information there.
I have a 400, not sure what model, and can't get to it to check the casting #'s are, at the moment, Im fairly sure it's a 2bolt, I have heard the 2bolt is more desirable, just use studs for more strength, it's the first 400 I have had, it is . 030" over, without heads, I have aluminum heads, but will require drilling steam holes, do you have anymore useful info on these engines? It would be appreciated greatly!
I hope you get this engine cleaned out and will work out for you, Lloyd. I've ran these SMB 400 before in my hotrods and I love'em. You might have to "Boil out" the block to get all gunk out. TBL on this.
I haven't lost hope yet. I don't think it will be to tuff just alot of time. Thanks Dan, have a great week.
Holy cow!! Glad you investigated it.
Thanks Matthew, it looks like smooth sailing now. I got it all washed out and parts are ordered. Have a great week.
Mate i struggled with this for 2 years and mine was a 650 hp 406
I tamed it eventually heres what i did, remember these were fine when at 8.1 comp, mine was running at 10.5.1
On the manifold run water cross overs from front to back on the manifold, there will be block off plugs x 4, dropped temp by around 5 degrees.
Need to cool the oil, i ran a large oil cooler and remote filter, good for 5 degrees
Got rid of mechanical fuel pump and went electric in the back of the car, cooled the fuel down. I also put a composite carb spacer.
Big electric fans mounted on a sealed frame.
Ran a rad support block off so all air has to go through radiator not over the rad support.
Took out some timing.
This all took my car from running at 220 to 240, to sitting at 190 to 200
Thanks for the information. It is good to hear from someone that has already work through it. Have a great week.
The head on the left is a 305 head. The one on the right is a 350 or 400 head ,
in all my years first time to ever see something like this. what a mess but your on the right track of getting it fixed
They only made the 400 for about 10 years. Made some improvements over the years . I think for the most part they are good engines, they just don't like contaminated coolant . Thanks and take care
A 400 is a plus! Great buy !
I was surprised it was a 400. The people I got it from said it was a 350. A real Bonus. Enjoy your week.
I've had 7 sbc 400 and none ever ran hot . With an aluminum radiator and electric fans usually does the trick as long as the block and heads have been properly cleaned.
You had some good information about the 400 I didn't know. You got that engine torn down pretty quickly. Well darn, more work but in the end it's the right thing to do.
I got the engine out today and pressure washed the block. Came out good and got it all out. Thanks and take care
Very informative. Looks like you found the cause. Great job. Keep us posted would love to see how this turns out.
I am feeling pretty good with what I've found so far. Thanks Babba and take care
Rusty Glovebox you know your stuff bud that's for sure.
I don't know if you get this the upper steam holes on the block do not appear to have been started but did not drill all the way through is center pistons steam holes should I go ahead and drill them out
I would not use a power drill. Just use the drill bit by hand to get all the rust and build up out. Good luck
Good catch there Lloyd. Hopefully there isn't any internal damage.
Thanks Ron, I think we are good. Got to it in time and didn't get it too hot. Enjoy your week.
It appears that block was not dipped and cleaned properly before it was assembled.
This is a prime example of the importance of cleaning everything the right way when your building an engine.
Good part is now you really know what the engine is/all about!!
Hope you getter straightened out and the temp under control!!
*Have a good'nnn*
I have it out and the water jackets cleaned out. Looks good and smooth sailing now. Thanks Gear , enjoy your week.
Hope that doeser Rusty!! You too have a good'nnn
What a bummer , sorry that happened
I hated to have to pull the engine but glad to find out what it was. Just some cleanup and back it goes in the car .
Thanks
Good information in this video!!! Sludge sort of looks like stop leak. Definitely worth it to pull and have it flushed or hot tanked.
It was filled with metal shavings left over after the machine shop. They didn't wash it out when they were done. I get to have the fun flushing all that stuff out. Thanks Stan and take care
T.O.A.G it thought it looked like stop leak also. Strange
Wow .. gonna end of being quite a job!! Glad the heads weren't cracked .. anxious to see it when it is finished .. take care .. Gary
Thanks Gary, it will have be busy for a while but I think it will be fine. I cleaned the block out today and will get my parts this week. Have a great week.
Those heads are heavy careful you don,t Hersy squirt
I love learning new stuff 👍💪
Thanks , have a good week.
What a shame - it's obvious they never cleaned it well. Look forward seeing it all fixed.
The best way to check if you have a head gasket problem is to take the car to someplace that does emissions testing. They take the radiator cap off start the car. Then they hold the probe that they stick up the exhaust pipe near where the radiator cap goes. If there is any hydrocarbons at all it leaks. Sometimes I get a car that just barely leaks and its hard to tell if that is the problem any other way.
I agree but I don't have a gas analyzer handy. I felt reasonably comfortable with it be a 400 a steam hole was stopped up or covered up . The water jacket was filled with lots of metal shavings and stopped up the vent. Thanks Ken and have a great week.
400 heads are prone to cracking
That's what I've heard. May have been why they only made them for about 8-10 years
Looks like it's turning into a big job, at least you will get it right, :)
It will all work out. I had a few things I wanted to do anyway. Just made me do it quicker than I planned. Thanks and take care
There's no replacement for displacement. I build 406 sbc motors. I don't have overheating issues but that requires upgrades to the cooling system.
Like they say Go big or go home
I bet my Buddy Lloyd can fix it !! .. Great share man.. Thumbs up..
Thanks Shawn , I will be in it up to the elbows...haha, Enjoy your week.
I know You will fix it the right way ...It sucks pulling the engine and removing all the freeze plugs and flushing it...I have used 350 heads on a 400 ...I used the head gasket as a Template and drilled the holes in the head ...It saved the owner from having a set of heads redone since we had a good set off a 350 ones
I was prepared to drill the heads out if I had to but was surprised to see the block hole to be stopped up. Thanks and enjoy your week.
great video good luck hope no more damage
I got it out and looking it over. So far so good. Thanks and take care
Good work Lloyd, I have always heard so many problems about small block 400's overheating and cracking.
I think what happens is people swap parts out and don't understand some are unique to the engine. It should do fine now. Thanks
Posted before you got there. I have one that had the wrong heads on it once.
I watched part 2 first so I see you got her sprayed down pretty good.. I do wonder though if that crap is not in you heater core too?
I bet it is, I will need to flush it out too. I may add a filter to the system. Enjoy your week.
That sucks Lloyd - but hey when you get it done you know it'll be right :)
Thanks Malc, I got it washed out good today. Shouldn't have anymore trouble with that anymore. Have a good week.
I broke a ring in #1 cylinder in my built 406 ,only 1 steam hole was stopped up an that's where the piston ring broke I'm guessing that's why it broke but idk
I was surprised to see several of the steam holes stopped up on this one. Thanks
Wow sorry to see you having trouble with the Studebaker already. Good trick with that big funnel to see if it is a blown head gasket and bubbles showing up. Man filings left in there from the machine shop geez. That should have all been boiled out before they put the engine back together. Well pulling the engine and redoing it really is the only safe way.
I like the funnel , it make filling the radiator easy. It looked like a machine shop floor in the water jackets. I pulled it and flushed it out good. Thanks Larry, have a great week.
Hi, good video. I recently bought a 400 built, and I know you have to have steam holes in those heads, or you’ll be in worse shape. Thanks for sharing your insight.
Man, I need you to come up to Denver and help me get my 65 Mustang on the road. ;-) I would have never thought to use a magnet to see what's down in the water jacket.
I wanted to see what was stopping up those water jacket ports. I was surprised to see all that metal in there. . Thanks and enjoy your week.
What a pain in the rear end. Lotta work there sir for someone else's mess up.
It was tuff till I figured out it was a 400. I knew if those steam holes stopped up it would cause overheating problems. Lucky me...haha,
Thanks and take care
Big job. wanted to ask are you going to use the same engine or build a 350 using the 400 crank and parts?
It looks like I am going to reuse this engine. After I get it clean out it should be good to go . Thanks Cliff
That's a bummer. Only way to do it right tho.
I wished they had done it right before but I might not have the car now. Looking forward to have it running again. Thanks and take care
If you do find a small block with 3 freeze plugs, your sure is a 400. Now in rare occasions maybe a 400 with 2 freeze plugs.
The 2 freeze plugs confused me when I first saw it. Pulling the heads let me know for sure. Thanks
I see far more 400's with two freeze plugs than three and this experience is from working in automotive machine shops. I have three 400's at work right now and all of them are 8 plug blocks (2 per side)
Did you see if they put the right head gaskets on?? I love 400sbc when I raced they where the cream of the crop I should have never sold my old engine
The gaskets and heads were correct. The steam holes in the block stopped up. Those water jackets were filled with metal shavings. Thanks and take care
That sucks (Blows) that whoever built it didn't do it right. Lot of work but this way you can check the cam and rods, bearings and so forth. Headers seem to have more problems then benefits on a daily drive set up. Lot of extra heat.... Good job on the vid
While I have it out I will look it over. I will put cast iron manifolds on when it goes back in. Thanks and have a good week GZ
Yah i ran into a similar problem, i have a 400 block in mine too, 275 crane cam if i am not mistaken.
These blocks are very finicky if it comes down to heat management, i found that slurry in my overflow tank..
I flushed the engine with distilled water and added a chemical coolant wash to it. Then drive it get it to operating temp, let it cool down, drain it all.. then coolant 50/50 and coolant system rust inhibitor...seemed to have taken care of my issue. Not sure if this also worked on the steam holes but no more sludge in the engine that's for sure. Without taking it apart..
This was the first 400 I had. I was aware of the steam holes but never had seen the holes stop up like that before. The previous owner must have really neglected the cooling system. After cleaning the water jackets out and reassembling it runs around 180 to 190. I think it will be good now. Thanks and enjoy your week.
@@RustyGlovebox it may have been machined and not cleaned properly!! They often forget about the cooling !!
Oh man that sucks. Altho its a good excuse to go over the motor and make sure its correct. I sure hope none of that made it to the radiator! Take care and bring us along I would like to see how it goes!
Thanks, I am going to check the radiator closely. If I have any question about it , I will replace it. Take care
Dang it, I know you'll get fixed up right.
Thanks Mike , just a minor setback for now. It will be back on the road in no time. Have a great week.
Was the second head any lighter than the first one? :-) I grunted right along with you, Lloyd! Big job, but hey, winter is on it's way and we all need indoor projects. Good luck with it.
I get the grunt out of my system on the first one...haha, The leave are slowly starting to fall here . You are right winter is coming before we know it. Have a great week Dale
Yep..Time to fix it up right.
You are right, no time like the present ZIG. It is going to come out alright. Thanks and enjoy your week.
395155 is the casting number on back of block is a 400 sbc 4 bolt main
Great info, Thanks
@@RustyGlovebox your welcome I'm in the process of rebuilding, mine came out a 1971 c20 I have had this engine over 25 yrs my dad gave me the truck when I was 15 I would have kept the truck but it was to far rusted
That sucks but I guess it could be worse
Lol, yes it can always get worst. But not so bad here, pulled the engine and flushed the block. Things looking good. Thanks and take care
That's a bummer. any way to step a shop vac hose down small enough to get down there and you can use water and compressed air to blow that junk out? I think there are companies that can back flush crud out the block but the engine i assume has to be together.
I was bummed at first but after I got into it shouldn't be too bad. Thanks and have a great week.
I'm sure you are up for the task at hand . . . too bad you have to go through allot of work . . . Rog
Thanks Rog, figuring out why it was overheating was the real test. I cleaned the block out and going back together soon.
quick id for 400 is 3 freeze plugs pr bank..
Terry, not always, i have 4 400's. two have three plugs,
and two have two plugs.
Man that really sucks!
That's what I thought but not going to be too bad afterall . Everything cleaned up good and going back together. Thanks and take care
That's good...going to go watch the second video now!
yuck. that stuff doesn't look so good. Did ya try pullin the freeze out plugs to see what it looks like there?
I pulled the engine out , removed the freeze plugs and flushed it out. Looks good now. Thanks and enjoy your week.
Should we start calling you rusty block? Good video. Thanks
Thanks , good idea
Wow you've got your work cut out there Lloyd - that will keep you off the streets for a while.
That's right Noel, my wife will know where I'll be for the next week or so... haha, Thanks and have a great week.
What a bummer buddy. But I guess you just have to make it your own so you know what's going on with it. Good luck with the pull and repair . Did you get the email address? Catch you later and take care. VW:-)
I own it now. I pulled it out and flushed the water jackets out. Everything is looking good now. Planning on going back together with it. Have a great week.
That crap nay be stoppin yer rad-G-ater up to boot.
That was most trash I ever saw in the cooling system. Thanks and take care
If your going to tear a motor down that far it is best to pull it out of the vehicle so you can inspect everything properly. Not too mention make it easier to work on.
gregg4164 Very true, having it out would make it much easier to tear it all the way down
Yep pull the motor and freshen it up.
Looks like a lot of work. Shame.
If I had only bought a Skoda. Hmm, I wonder fit a small block Chevy in a Skoda. Thanks and enjoy your week Harry.
Or fit a Skoda 1.9Tdi in the Studebaker?
That engine needs to come out to be properly diagnosed.
The engine was in the car when I bought it. I did remove it and the block had lots of metal shavings in the water jackets. I guess it was left in after machining. Thanks
Pulling it?
I pulled it and removed the freeze plugs. Used the pressure washer to get all that stuff out of the water jackets. I'll be checking it over and reinstall it. Thanks Buzz and enjoy your week.
You got your work cut out for ya Rusty
Now that I know what it is, it doesn't bother me to bad. Not know is a lot worse. Thanks and take care
350 r 400 Head don't matter don't have to have steam holes around for years without them
Anthony Casey what?
All that could very easily totally wasted that engine.
Oh crap someone did some shady engine rebuild hey. May as well give the engine a good look over and maybe a over haul.
I will be looking it over you can bet George. Thanks and take care
350 heads won't work on a 400. The water passages don't fit right.
Clue is in the description - just need to use the 400 head gasket to mark, and drill, steam holes and all is sweet!
sloppy work by folks who dont give a dam but gettin a check
I was surprised to see that much debri in the water jackets. Little wonder it it stopped up the steam hole. Thanks Ken
Rut oh!
I got the engine out and flushed out the block. Not too bad looking now. Thanks
If you got a 400 instead of 350 you lucked out bigtime. 160 tstat and aluminum radiator and you gtg.
Thanks , It's a strong engine.
400 have 3 freeze plug on the side of the block. All others have 2. Look at your head casting numbers. 350 head will make. A 400 over heat
Not "all" 400's have three per side. In fact, more common they only have two as those are the later blocks. Three in my shop right now, all have two per side.
@@whiplashmachine I have see a fue that had to like the 350. But they was. Late production had small valves. Have always been told.to stay away from the late production due to poor casting. I do have 5 of the 3 freeze plug 400 blocks
@@thomasallen6206 Absolutely nothing wrong with the later 509 and 817 castings.(two plugs per side or 8 plug blocks) We used them many times for our super late model class engines destroked to 353ci and making upwards of 700 hp at over 8000rpm. They are the most common blocks and I have 3 here I am machining/ building right now.