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882 heads on 400

3K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  JeffB 
#1 ·
Hey guys im 19 and im building my first motor its pretty much just a stock 400 with a cam and I was just wondering how 882 heads would work on it any input will be appreciated
 
#2 · (Edited)
Intake runner volume 151 cc's
Exhaust runner volume 59 cc's
Chamber volume 76 cc's
Valves, 1.94"/1.50"
Max intake flow....around 205 cfm @28" water
Max exhaust flow....around 145 cfm @28" water
These heads were used on the 400's to bring the static compression ratio down so that the early 70's behemoths could run on cat piss regular unleaded pump gasoline. They did an excellent job of haulin' granny back and forth to bingo and still will to this day. Bolted onto a mild 406, they will do a good job of powering an everyday driver. Do not expect spectacular performance, just a good, reliable, everyday grunt motor. Use a stock-type camshaft.

If I had an eye on performance from this motor later on, I'd put a little money into the short block now, but still use the 882 heads. Pistons would be 22 cc D-cups, rods would be Scat Pro Stock 5.7" forged because they're clearanced for use with the 3.750" stroke of the 400 crank and will not interfere with a standard base circle cam.
Keith Black KB Performance Pistons KB168-030 - SummitRacing.com
Scat Pro Stock I-Beam Connecting Rods 25700P - SummitRacing.com
I'd be thinkin' of using a standard pressure and standard volume oil pump, but with a few upgrades in the oiling system such as a larger pan, windage tray and maybe a crank wiper. I'd align-hone or align-bore the main bearing bore to insure that the mains are round and parallel. I'd measure my stack of parts and cut the block deck height to zero piston deck height. There are no thinner gaskets that will work well with the 400 steam holes, so a 0.039" compressed thickness gasket would yield the proper squish/quench dimension with the zero deck.
Fel-Pro Performance Head Gaskets Q1014 - SummitRacing.com
I'd find a shop that will use a torque plate to bore and hone the block.

With this well-prepared short block, you'll be able to use your 882 heads now, for a static compression ratio of 8.8:1. Then, down the road, you could invest in a set of 64 cc chamber heads with ~200 cc intake runners for a static compression ratio of 9.8:1. At that time, I'd include an Edelbrock #7104 RPM mounting a Quadrajet from Cliff Ruggles. This would set you up for a more agressive camshaft. Call and talk with your favorite cam grinder about a cam that would close the intake valve at somewhere around 36-40 degrees ABDC.
Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifolds 7104 - SummitRacing.com
Cliffs High Performance Quadrajets :: Qjet Carburetor Rebuild Kits, Parts, Quadrajet Rebuilding, Quadrajet Parts, Bushing Kits, Carb Tuning
That would also be the time to invest in a quality set of long-tube, tuned headers with an X or H pipe and mufflers of your choice.
 
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