Does anyone have any info, source of books, etc, on the chevy 406? My vette came with one (obviously not stock), but I have no other info. Familialr with 350, 400, etc. I've never heard of a 406 displacement. Is it a factory engine or a 400 that's been bored out or ? Don't even know oil capacity, oil pan drain bolt torque value, etc. Any help is appreciated.

John

It is not a "factory" engine. There are a couple of ways to get a 406. Bore a 400ci, or bore & stroke a 350 to within an inch of it's life!! The most popular 350 stroker is a 383. Your 406 is most likely a bored 400.
Oil capacity will depend on the pan itself. Most 'Vette pans hold 4-5 qts, again, that also depends on which oil filter is used(long or short style).
Just treat it like a normal small block Cheby, and you'll be otay.
The one thing that is different on the 400 is the design of the water jackets in the block, and the matching holes in the heads. You can not put a regular small block head on a 400 block, without drilling the extra "steam" holes in them, to match the extra holes in the block.

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Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

I may be having some more alzhimers attacks, but if I remember right, there was a 406 big block. Is this a big block or a small block. A 400 bored out .30 over is 408+ or close to 409 ci. I had one done that way. Tell us if it's a small or big block.

Dave

There was a 402 big block, but I don't know about a 406. Ford had a 406 big block, tho. Now ya got me wonderin!

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

The 402 in Chevy land is actually a "396" that Chevy never changed the designation of

 

The 406 is Blue Oval.  Chevy never had a factory 406 

Thanks for the responses everyone. I did some more digging. I found the engine casting number, and after a little cleaning I was able to read it.  The block has a casting number of 330817. That means it's a Chevy 400 small block (please feel free to verify!). Now, I've seen many articles on the web about 406's being built. Joel is correct in that it did not come from the factory that way. Anyways, the important thing is that I know (almost) what I have now. Luckily, everything major appears stock. The intake manifold even has the firing order stamped on it.

John

Btw, this site http://www.mortec.com/ helped me find out where to look on the block for the casting number. Very helpful.

Cast # 330817
400ci...Passenger car applications...'73-76
400ci...Truck...'75-80
Both are 2 bolt main blocks.

HERE'S another pic to help with locating casting/stamp #'s

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Thanks for the link Joel - very helpful picture.

 

John

I've had a couple of 406 motors. Strong and gobs of torque! Both of these motors went past the 400hp mark and held up well.

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