A friend gave me a bare 40 over(needs rebore) 4bolt main 400. I called a few places and the price for machining + new crank, rods, and pistons ranges from 1000 to 1400... 60 over 4 bolt 400 worth the investment?
Frank

I bought the same block for $50 at my local junkyard. I'm also running a +0.060 400 right now, and the block has room for more. It really just depends on the specific block. If I need to build up my other 400 (which needs to go to .060), I'll have the bores sonic checked first...that way you'll know right off if you can continue with machining or not.
*Edit*
I'm back. Remember that the 4-bolt main 400's aren't as strong as the 2-bolts, *supposedly*. And it's pretty easy to make over 500HP, which stresses the block pretty badly. Also, if you get a crank, go for the Scat Cast 9000 units, they'll handle the power and RPMs quite well. And, use at least 5.7" rods, the stock 400 rods are a waste of time.

around here 290 bucks is about the max for all the work that needs to be done to a block to get it ready for rebuild......that includes boring,decking,hot tank,cam bearings installed,mains checked,freeze plugs installed.

then crank kits are bought for 125 bucks with bearings.....as long as you got an exchange......

rods are just stock units that have been checked or resized for 100 bucks out right as long as they have them in stock........

and pistons are what ever you by them for thru a wharehouse........

to me 1000-1400 bucks is high......and i would not spend that much myself.......

but if your asking is the 400 worth it by going 060 and may not be able to go over again......ever...thats your call.......i would do it......because more then likely it would be a long time before i would need another bore job.....unless the motor fly's apart and the parts are trashed anyway.....i would go 060 over but i wouldnt spend that much for just the parts you listed............because im cheap.....

Here is my SBC 400 Buildup. I think that you can bore it .060 over but ensure you have it Sonic Checked.
SBC 408 PARTS and PRICES
MANUFACTURE DESCRIPTION PART# PRICE
AFR Heads 195cc AFR-1036 $1,307.00

ARP Main Studs ARP-234-5501 $51.95
Head Bolts ARP-134-3701 $58.95
Oil Pump Stud ARP-230-7002 $6.50
Oil Pump Shaft ARP-134-7901 $13.95
Fuel Pump ARP-134-8701 $14.95
Cam Bolt Kits ARP-134-1001 $3.95

CLEVITE Main Bearing MS1038P $27.00
Rod Bearing 8-CB663P $27.00

CLOYES
True Roller Timing Chain CLO-9-3100 $60.09

CRANE
Energizer Roller Rocker CRN-11744-16 $132.50

EAGLE H-Beam Rods CRS6000B3D $335.09

EDELBROCK Elite Air Cleaner EDL-4207 $49.95

ELGIN Solid Lifters VT1992-16 $45.00

FEDERAL MOGUL Cam Bearings 1235M $19.00

FEL-PRO Head Gasket FPP-1014 (2x) $63.90
Intake Gasket FPP-1205 $13.95
Rear Main Seal Align Bored FPP-2909 $18.99

K & N Air Filter KNN-E-1690 $43.95

LUNATI/UDHarold
Flat Tappet Mechanical LUN-280/284F10 $183.71

MILODON
Oil Pump Pick-Up Screen MIL-18311 $34.95
Street/Strip Oil Pans MIL-30900 $123.49
Diamond Stripper Windage Tray MIL-32250 $74.95
Lifter Valley Screen Kit MIL-23150 $17.99

MELLING Oil Pump MEL-M55 $15.95

MOROSO Engine Magnet Kit MOR-22710 $15.99

MR. GASKET
Oil Pump High Press Spring MRG-26 $3.95

PIONEER Brass Freeze Plugs SBC 400 $14.95

SCAT
9000 Internal Ballance Crank 400-3750-6000 $222.50

SUMMIT Fuel Pressure Guage SUM-800115 $15.35

WISECO
Pro Tru Forged Pistons PT020H4 (0.040) $419.00

TOTAL COST $3,436.45

thanks for the replies guys... Dennis I'm also cheap, but it's mainly because I don't make much. I think ill just shrink wrap the block and put it away. I'm aching to build an engine but machine shops around here are expensive! Speed o motive raised their block prep package to $500! anyone know of any good machine shops in southern California
thanks guys
Frank

Originally posted by AB chev:
thanks for the replies guys...anyone know of any good machine shops in southern California
thanks guys
Frank http://www.jmsracing.com/

Great shop! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks Ben...I'll be paying them a visit tomorrow morning graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Ben,

Ben,
You do your balancing with them too?

Originally posted by AB chev:
Ben,
You do your balancing with them too? Yes as a matter of fact. I don't really remember the price but I thought it was fair. They raved about the Eagle H-beam rods I had and how easy they were to balance. I was happy with what I ended up with. graemlins/hurray.gif

Originally posted by ddeennis:
around here 290 bucks is about the max for all the work that needs to be done to a block to get it ready for rebuild......that includes boring,decking,hot tank,cam bearings installed,mains checked,freeze plugs installed.
.........because im cheap..... Hot tank
Bore
Hone
Deck
cam bearings
Install cam bearings maybe knock out old
torque and check mains
new freeze plugs installed + knock out old.
All for $290 graemlins/beers.gif

Here's the cost around here from a cheap NAPA quality shop:
$50 Hot tank
$120 Bore and Hone
$60 Deck
$25 + $20 cam bearings remove install new
about $50 torque and check mains
$30 + $15 new freeze plugs installed + knock out old.
$370
;)
These are from a 1999 price sheet I had.

some shops are so expensive in some areas you would come out cheaper taking time off from work, loading your block/assembly in your vehicle,carrying it to another state,renting a hotel room if needed after dropping your block/assembly off at the machine shop,picking up your finished block/assembly from the shop after a few days at the hotel, and carrying it home! tongue.gif then again,i'd probably do that to save $20.00! graemlins/clonk.gif

Bowtie,

Funny you should mention that b/c my 3-banger Metro Corn-Popper gets such good enough gas mileage, (like 50mpg), that I have driven across several state's at night, slept in it when I got there, woke up in the morning, did my thing, drove back AND saved a bunch..

I never thought I'd say this, but... I wish I had a honda! My daily driver(81 k5) gives me about 12mpg. School is about 15 miles away :(

Originally posted by AB chev:
I never thought I'd say this, but... I wish I had a honda! My daily driver(81 k5) gives me about 12mpg. School is about 15 miles away :( I don't wish I had a Honda, but I hear you about mileage with a K5. My '86 K5 Blazer gets about 11 city and 17 hwy. Not bad for a truck w/4.11's and 33's. I do have a 700R-4 though.