I'm planning on replacing plugs to help get a better idea of how my 74 is running. Its still got a points system and its a 400 with a 2 barrel carb. Any brand/type preferences out there? Also is it worth it just putting in a electronic ignition from a newer gm product or should I just wait and go hei? I'm also thinking my starter might be on the way out. It starts pretty good when cold but when it gets hot it doesnt like to as much. I've got an exhaust leak some where in the engine compartment so I'm sure thats not helping any heat issues. That just means I'll have to slap on some headers soon.



Thanks.

It's running much better so far after an oil change, resetting the points, and adjusting the carb. I did find a spot near the house with some loose gravel and was able to confirm the posi rear :) I'll be glad to get that 2 barrel off. So far I've found an edelbrock performer here local for $30 and got use of an edelbrock 795cfm from the inlaws that has been sitting so will probably need a rebuild.

Sounds like your cars working pretty good. but your timing might be a little too high, that will make your engine hard to turn over when the engine is hot. and the cheapest and easyest way to up grade to electronic is to use a hei. but just because both of your wheels spun on gravel dosn't really tell that you have a posi. the best way to find out if you have a posi is to jack up the car so both wheels are off the ground then turn the wheels by hand if both wheels turn in the same direction then you have a posi.

Well I have other info on it being a posi. My rear end still has the little silver tag that says use limited slip oil and my 74 is also an SS so I would think be more likely to have a posi rear.

Sure looks like you got a Posi, but being an SS doesn't mean anything as the Posi was an option on all '74 Elkys. The slow crank when hot could be too much initial timing but it could also be a heat soak starter problem. If the starter is too close to an exhaust install (reinstall) the heat shield.

Thanks for the heat shield tip. If its been getting too hot is it likely then that I'll need to replace it before long?

I did get ahold of a previous owner that still has some of the missing trim/badges that said I could have them as long as I went to him to get them.

We'll see how it runs after plugs. Would it be worth the effort to put in just an electronic ignition that might not be hei?

I'm hoping to eventually build this 400 to be a 400hp beast. I've located an edelbrock performer intake for $30 and can get an edelbrock 795 cfm that is their qjet replacement version from my inlaws for free that will probably need a rebuild. Would these plus some headers and some aftermarket heads get me close to my goal assuming the right cam choice?

I know it would be an improvement from the little 2 barrel stock setup now. But would like to avoid duplication of work.

Hopefully some minor changes will be enough to get it to out run my brother in laws 68 vert stang. Its got 3500 invested under the hood on a roller 302 but has a weak C4 and stock 8 in rear and some crap tires.

My th400 makes a solid shift from 1-2 and does it rather quickly I think but its my first th400 so not sure on that. Hopefully a good tune and some minor mods will shut him up. Considering he's got a total of over 6-7k invested in the car and if I can come up with a 1300 elky and put in some minor mods and pull away from him I would be a happy man.

Hopefully with the help of this site I'll soon have a video of a 74 elky pulling away from a 68 stang.

400hp is a bit optimistic with the stock heads--low compression ratio, small valves and poor ports are impossible to overcome with a cam, no matter how big. A good HEI ignition along with a 4-bbl, exhaust headers, and a good hydraulic cam will get you 300+ hp.

I'm hoping to eventually build this 400 to be a 400hp beast. I've located an edelbrock performer intake for $30 and can get an edelbrock 795 cfm that is their qjet replacement version from my inlaws for free that will probably need a rebuild. Would these plus some headers and some aftermarket heads get me close to my goal assuming the right cam choice?
When you have the $$$ to invest into it, think about a stroker kit. I have a 400 small block in my 76 K5 Blazer and will be getting a 415 Stroker kit for it. With a compression of 9.5 to 1 you should be able to get some good HP on pump gas. For heads, Vortec's are fairly cheap, but if you want more power, think World Products Dart 2, or a set of AFR's.

400hp is a bit optimistic with the stock heads--low compression ratio, small valves and poor ports are impossible to overcome with a cam, no matter how big. A good HEI ignition along with a 4-bbl, exhaust headers, and a good hydraulic cam will get you 300+ hp.

Sorry I know 400 with stock heads is a dream but would just and edelbrock performer and 795cfm and a set of hooker super comp get me on the way? I know the heads are a limiting factor and the vortecs are cheap but require a special intake. Thanks again for the good info. Would all that plus the biggest cam a stock converter take net somewhere near 400 ponies after the head swap of course?

400hp is a bit optimistic with the stock heads--low compression ratio, small valves and poor ports are impossible to overcome with a cam, no matter how big. A good HEI ignition along with a 4-bbl, exhaust headers, and a good hydraulic cam will get you 300+ hp.

Sorry I know 400 with stock heads is a dream but would just and edelbrock performer and 795cfm and a set of hooker super comp get me on the way? I know the heads are a limiting factor and the vortecs are cheap but require a special intake. Thanks again for the good info. Would all that plus the biggest cam a stock converter take net somewhere near 400 ponies after the head swap of course? Consitter stock is around 185 HP. Well my 1976 400 Small Block put out 195, but thats a truck motor with a 4bbl.

Well I have other info on it being a posi. My rear end still has the little silver tag that says use limited slip oil and my 74 is also an SS so I would think be more likely to have a posi rear.

THe one with the tag is a posi / limited slip rear end. If the other doesn't have the tag its not a limited slip its an open rear. I'd almost make odds on it.

Open rear ends will spin both tires on a level surface, generally speaking even on pavement. Put one wheel partially in a ditch and then step on it, be sure no one else is around, you should see the tire in the ditch spin while the one on the pavement will for a very short distance say about 6" or less then it will quit while the other will keep spinning even after it gets out of the ditch. That is open face or open rear / non-posi.

Generally its only 10 bolts to verify the rear end type. Remove the cover and look. As someone else pointed out SS doesn't mean Posi. I have an 80 SS and it was not limited slip. My 76 Classic doesn't have limited slip and my 72 400 Custom Elky doesn't have limited slip and its a 12 bold behind a 400 THM with a 402 BBC, from factory.

A 400ci smallblock with good heads, proper cam, 4bbl and headers is a 400hp plus engine.

Cam and heads will probably come later. I've got access to good deal to convert to 4 barrel and will probably look at the hooker super comp headers. I'd rather spend the money and get a set that I know will fit. Thanks again for all the great info.

Any suggestions on heads/cam?

Cam and heads will probably come later. I've got access to good deal to convert to 4 barrel and will probably look at the hooker super comp headers. I'd rather spend the money and get a set that I know will fit. Thanks again for all the great info.

Any suggestions on heads/cam?I'd get the regular Hooker comps instead of the Super comps. The Super comps use thiner tubes to save wieght.

good info. not to mention the super comps are more $$$.

Sorry I know 400 with stock heads is a dreamNot so grasshopper. Here's what I've got sitting in the 78 Camaro: SB 355, KB hyperteutic pistons, 882 76cc heads gasket matched, Manley SS 2:02/1:6 valves, 3 angle valve job, guide plates under 7/16" screw in rocker studs, 1.6 Cat roller rockers, Comp Cam XE274H, Air Gap RPM performer intake, 750 Edlebrock carb, race prepped TH350 with custom shift kit & 2,500 stall conv. Estimated at ~425 hp at the flywheel & ~390 at the rear wheels, all on pump gas. It can be done....

good info. not to mention the super comps are more $$$.Here's what I'm ordering for my 5th Gen. (http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/headers/header_dsp.d2w/report?prmenbr=361&prrfnbr=18125&ceramicnum=520-2451-1&cartype=CHEVROLET+/+GMC+Chevelle,+El+Camino+/+Caballero,+Sprint&header_type=Competition) Hooker Comps CERAMIC coated.