["QUICK-SILVER"]

Originally Posted by 79 Phoenix

Thanks! Now if the crank will accept a pilot bushing I will be in good shape. Hopefully I will know that Monday.

Old thread somewhere here on PY about a non GM bushing that can be made to work with automatic only cranks.

Clay

[Formulas]

Don't get rid of the old 350 you may very well need it again ... any good running 350 is better than a broken 400

[79 Phoenix]

[QUOTE="QUICK-SILVER";6464804]Old thread somewhere here on PY about a non GM bushing that can be made to work with automatic only cranks.

Clay[/QUOTE


THANKS, I will try to find!

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by "QUICK-SILVER"

Old thread somewhere here on PY about a non GM bushing that can be made to work with automatic only cranks.

Clay

Is this the thread you were thinking of?

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...+pilot+bearing

[79 Phoenix]

The engine I'm considering buying is a 76 400 with automatic attached to it. It may have originally been in an automatic or manual car.--no way of telling. My transmission is manual.

I wonder if it's a good idea to buy this engine without knowing what the crank looks like on the back?? According to post #40 in the thread below, mid 70's Pontiac cranks weren't drilled at all??

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...+pilot+bearing

[79 Phoenix]

Well I got pictures of the crank and it looks good! Should accept a pilot bushing... or bearing.

[johnta1]

Is the crank register the smaller one?
(looks like it could be)

[79 Phoenix]

I'm thinking it is because the block is a 557. It looks like the smaller one to me 2 1/2".

[79 Phoenix]

I went ahead and bought the 557 block 400! Everything seems good at this point. Startup is probably months away...Hopefully by spring. So much other preparation to do. Thanks to everyone who helped me evaluate what I was looking at!

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by 79 Phoenix

I'm thinking it is because the block is a 557. It looks like the smaller one to me 2 1/2".

Originally, the 500557 400 blocks used the 2.75" register cranks. That practice lasted at least a year/ well into mid '76 engine production. Later '76 model 400 blocks received the smaller register cranks, do remember checking a few.

For many years i had a Pontiac V8 engine core program going. On occasion I would pick up '76-78 500557 shortblocks, then simply shell them out for the good condition smaller register 400 cranks, as well as oilpans, timing covers, valley pans, & hardware. Two of the '77 500557's I stripped down, the stock cranks had the correct recess for a pilot bearing. Both of those cranks were needed in 4speed W72 TransAm engines where the owner had spun a rod bearing & was still wanting to run the stock small register 11" cast flywheel.

[MatthewKlein]

Originally Posted by 79 Phoenix

That's good to hear. I appreciate everybody's help with these questions!

Is this 400 a used stock engine? My plan would be to cc both sets of heads and try to get the compression up to 9 or 9.5 and change the camshaft.
Those 94 heads should have a smaller combustion chamber.

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head

Originally, the 500557 400 blocks used the 2.75" register cranks. That practice lasted at least a year/ well into mid '76 engine production. Later '76 model 400 blocks received the smaller register cranks, do remember checking a few.

For many years i had a Pontiac V8 engine core program going. On occasion I would pick up '76-78 500557 shortblocks, then simply shell them out for the good condition smaller register 400 cranks, as well as oilpans, timing covers, valley pans, & hardware. Two of the '77 500557's I stripped down, the stock cranks had the correct recess for a pilot bearing. Both of those cranks were needed in 4speed W72 TransAm engines where the owner had spun a rod bearing & was still wanting to run the stock small register 11" cast flywheel.

Block date is "A156" which I assume is January 15, 1976. Apparently my crank was cast later in the year, as the register is 2 1/2". Does this make sense?

Also I do plan on removing the pan to replace the rear seal. I should be able to find the crank date then.

I am considering installing a BOP 2-piece seal like link below...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225319050821

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by MatthewKlein

Is this 400 a used stock engine? My plan would be to cc both sets of heads and try to get the compression up to 9 or 9.5 and change the camshaft.
Those 94 heads should have a smaller combustion chamber.

As far as I know it is stock or near stock. I does have a Performer intake & Quadrajet which are not original. Cam bearings were replaced so I assume cam was also. So it may have a better than stock cam. No idea if heads have had performance work done on them. Previous owner didn't know but said it "ran strong".

Right now I just want to work towards getting this running and on the road... Then later work with heads, cam, etc. if I want or the next owner wants.

[Mister Pontiac]

Originally Posted by 79 Phoenix

Block date is "A156" which I assume is January 15, 1976...

I see the big "75" cast by the Distributor hole, so I'm betting that date is A155, or Jan 15, 1975. Hard to tell for sure in the pic, maybe hard to tell in person as well. Try a wire brush over the casting date and see if it doesn't become more of a '5' at the end.

It seems unlikely to me to be cast with the big number 75 by the distributor and be a 76 engine, which A156 would be.

[johnta1]

The best way to ID the year is by the partial VIN on the block.
The pic of the date code is hard to tell for sure if the last digit is a '5' or '6', but I think it is a '6' (1976)

I have seen some blocks with the 2 digit cast year for the next year of production. (would have to check notes if any in 1976 though)

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Mister Pontiac

I see the big "75" cast by the Distributor hole, so I'm betting that date is A155, or Jan 15, 1975. Hard to tell for sure in the pic, maybe hard to tell in person as well. Try a wire brush over the casting date and see if it doesn't become more of a '5' at the end.

It seems unlikely to me to be cast with the big number 75 by the distributor and be a 76 engine, which A156 would be.

Yes I wondered about that too... But I just cleaned it off better and checked again and it's definitely A156.

[79 Phoenix]

I just checked VIN code on the block. 8th digit from the end is also a 6.

[Quad]

Originally Posted by johnta1

The best way to ID the year is by the partial VIN on the block.
The pic of the date code is hard to tell for sure if the last digit is a '5' or '6', but I think it is a '6' (1976)

I have seen some blocks with the 2 digit cast year for the next year of production. (would have to check notes if any in 1976 though)

examples;
1976 year before,
1973 no year,
1972 year after.
No sure what the big numbers are supposed to mean.

[Formulas]

The large numbers are intended model year fitment the 4 digit codes are the actual day the molten metal was poured into the mold

[Quad]

Originally Posted by Formulas

The large numbers are intended model year fitment the 4 digit codes are the actual day the molten metal was poured into the mold

The OP's block has a 1976 casting date with a large 75 being previous year. The block in post 38 also has a 1976 casting date with a large 75 being previous year. Attached is another one. I thought the general rule is casting dates are not after model year is finished.
Also the crank in the B046 dated block had a 2 1/2" register.