Do you guys think this is a good deal? Here is the ad. I will be building a 450 hp 406CID, or smaller if it cleans up at less than 30 over. $500 seems a little steep.

FOR SALE Small Block Chevy 400 509 casting bare block, standard bore, 2 bolt main. If your looking at this you know what it is and how hard they are to find. Block has been hot tanked and magnafluxed, no cracks found at DG Machine in Auburn. $500

http://c.im.craigslist.org/l6/tV/BjqMGtP4XrmKOaPaClpRGz1aeCt1.jpg

http://d.im.craigslist.org/eo/Oa/QcMCUJFVoOSfdKPetPNPgCtbiJcy.jpg

http://c.im.craigslist.org/aK/zA/jj3Y7u1KlW682SzKBwCx25h5JJzU.jpg

http://a.im.craigslist.org/XT/qY/2MvzL6kjrUOEsKnC0fpgI2CH8F2t.jpg

Brett,
I can't tell you if it is a good deal because you didn't say what the asking price is. Also, are there any other parts to go with it? Heads? Crank?

Also, if you are going to have to buy heads, I'm big on staying with iron. Here is the 420SB I just rebuilt for my boat with Dart Iron Eagles and the 215 intake ports and 2.05/1.6 valves.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h219/DZAUTO/100_0174.jpg :thumbsup:

Thats a good casting, get some splayed caps on there ,and your good to go. It may be just me,but i would not spend more than say 300.00 for one. I saw three 400's in a local classifieds rag this weekend , 2 complete for 150 each. thev other was just a block for 150.00. You know how it is when your looking for something specific though.

whoops, sorry he is asking $500. Seems a little steep... Do I really need to splay the caps with only 450 hp and 500 ftlbs? I am staying with iron heads.

How much would the machining run? Lets say I need bore, deck, and align bore. How much is it to splay the caps.

Yes, $500 is a little steep. Maybe he will negotiate the block price if you have him do all the machine work. Also, one additional important thing. The block has been vatted (you would have to pay for that), it's been mag'd (you would have to pay for that), AND, it's a 509 block------------------everyone considers the 509 casting to be the better choice of the 3 castings (511-517-509). But, still, $500 IS a little steep!
NO, you really don't need splayed caps-----------but, I'd REALLY encourage you to use studs instead of bolts for the main caps.
Here is the bottom end of my 420 boat engine with 2bolt caps, studs and a windage tray.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h219/DZAUTO/400windagetray.jpg

Brett I just got a new fitted GM block from a friend (they are long discontinued) and paid 500.00, but I will not bore it so I can hopefully get a few rebores out of it as it wears over time. I would think you should be able to haggle a bit on the price. I run my current 406 with 2 bolt mains, really mine looks just like Toms bottom end windage tray and all, under 500 hp the 2 bolt bottom end is perfectly good. The 2 bolt block is the stronger block anyway and even better with the splayed 4 bolt main from a good company.

whoops, sorry he is asking $500. Seems a little steep... Do I really need to splay the caps with only 450 hp and 500 ftlbs? I am staying with iron heads.

How much would the machining run? Lets say I need bore, deck, and align bore. How much is it to splay the caps.


I just had my 509 block done about two months ago at Jim Green up in Lynwood. This is what they charged me
Mag - 48.00
bore with plates - 200.00
hone mainline - 99.00
cut rear seal - 88.00
surface block - 79.00

Cheaper than I was expecting, especially in our area. Are you happy with the workmanship? I might use them.

So basically $500 for that block that needs machining is a little much. Agree? I offered him $300.

Im VERY happy with their work. They dont try to sell me more than I need either.

When I had the block done I bought a probe industries forged rotating assy through them as well.... came with bearings, and speed pro ductile rings for around $1,200.00. Balancing was about another $230.00 if i remember correctly

BTW- I almost called the guy about that block too, thought it was a bit to much $$

oh, yeah and
hang and align pistons - $96.50

I offered the guy $300. He responded saying I was the first to respond, and he would wait a little while to see if he got any more offers. You guys think I should take it for $300? 30 over safe on overheating with these things?

A .030 over on a stock 400 should be ok. I've heard .040 is the limit.

I'll also agree $500 is a little pricey but then again in some parts of the country (Jersey) I've heard 400 blocks are like gold. There was a clown on maliburacing.com that sold one for like $600 and it wasn't even crack checked.

The good thing is at least it's crack free......so he says. 400's are notorious for cracks. Mines in the shop now awaiting a crack check.