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vintageracer
12-06-2006, 02:31 PM
I have been offered a engine transmission combination for purchase and I would like an opinion on its value.

509 Casting SBC 400, almost complete and supposedly running with crank, rods, pistons, aluminum heads, timing set with aluminum timing cover, Comp Cams Roller cam, roller lifters, roller rockers, ARP head bolts, aluminum oil pan, aluminum valve covers, NO intake, NO balancer, NO distributor, NO water pump or accesories. Engine has been running in past, is nice and clean inside. I have not pulled the pan to look at the bottom to determine if ARP mains, 2 or 4 bolts, type of crank, rods, pistons etc.

Also attached is a 93-97 LT1 T56 transmission, correct flywheel older for older 2 piece rear main setup, clutch, pressure plate, bellhousing all bolted to the engine. This is a pull type setup for the hydraulic slave cylinder that is not included. No shifter handle.

The seller traded for a car with a "buddy" and this engine combination came with and for the project car. The engine "supposedly" ran good however there is no guarantee and I trust rebuilt or used engines as far as I throw them!

I have purchased the project car at a good price and this engine combination was slated for this car. I am sure there is decent value with the T56, bellhousing, clutch and flywheel. The engine also has value.

The engine appears to have been a running engine with the intake, exhaust and front assemblies removed. Below are the specs on parts that I know on both:

Engine block casting #3951509 (from my checking this is a 73-80 400 block), Aluminum heads GM 10088113 (88 up GM D port Aluminum heads with 1.94/1.5 valves stock) do not know if they are stock or have bigger valves. Heads are complete and bolted to engine. Cam is Comp Cams 12-417-8 CS XM 270 HR-12 Roller Cam with 218 intake and 224 exhaust lift @ 0.050 according to the cam card. Aluminum roller rockers, roller lifters, ARP head bolts, Comp Cams push rods.

Transmission is T56 with 1386-066-065-904 on the tail shaft and 1386-065-904 on the main case. The sticker is gone. The tag is loose from the tranny and has:

L2 55 0647
13 66 009

on the tag.

3 questions. How will this 400 run in everyone's opinion with a carb and or aftermarket FI, any input/opinions on the T56 setup and the biggy, What's the combo worth?

Thanks for you opinions!

Part Time
12-06-2006, 05:56 PM
Vintage, I have what is basically a stock 400 SBC. Cast crank, stock rods, stock heads, ect. It is probably a bucks down rebuild with the exception of forged pistons, Lunati bracket master 2 cam, Weiand dual plane, 650 mechanical Holley, Crane 1.6 roller rockers. My car (when it was together) weighed about 3300 lbs, ran a TH350 w/2500 convertor (now sold) and a 4:10 gear. It ran a 13.69 quarter on 215 65 street tires. It pulls very nice and runs well. It is obviously not exotic by any strech but it does (rather did) the job. I had about $3000.00 in (1990 dollars) complete carb to pan, water pump to flywheel. Give it a try, for what they are you'll probably like it. As for the value and the trans.... I'll leave that to some of the more market savy that hang out here. Have fun with it!:drive:

bookends
12-06-2006, 06:09 PM
find out if you can have a machine shop inspect it for you prior to purchace. if the parts are junk then the combo is worthless. depending on if it needs to be rebuilt I'd probably spend about $2000 - $3000. the t-56 is a nice piece but very expensive to rebuild. almost the same as buying one. also make sure the heads have the steam holes drilled. other than that it sounds like a good combination.