New Member With A Question

[Toms_2003_GT]

My dad has a 74 Chevy Stepside that will one day be mine. Its got a 400ci V-8 and a 3 speed manual transmission: How much hp and torque did that motor make?

[hubbycap]

If original to the vehicle, probably about 150 hp then. I don't know about the torque.

[Toms_2003_GT]

If original to the vehicle, probably about 150 hp then. I don't know about the torque.

She is original, down to the chains that hold the tailgate in place......only 150horse........d**n!!!!!

[C & A s Dad]

My 71 was rated at 250 but I know that started dropping ponies like crazy in the mid 70s.

 

However, it should not matter what it currently has. You know you want to do a little hot rodding to the small block.

[Toms_2003_GT]

My 71 was rated at 250 but I know that started dropping ponies like crazy in the mid 70s.

 

However, it should not matter what it currently has. You know you want to do a little hot rodding to the small block.

 

Yeah

 

But as she sits right now she would need a full ground up restoration

[Darkanion]

Yeah

 

But as she sits right now she would need a full ground up restoration

 

That would be quite an undertaking, but.. If you're going to do that, anyway, just do some work on the motor and beef that up, too. It'd be a great project, you'd learn a lot, and it would be the way YOU want it..... AND probably a lot cheaper than buying a new one!

 

If you restore it, post pics! Lots and lots of pics!

 

My dad had a '74 Cheyenne Super with the 454 in it. I was pretty young at the time, but I still remember liking that truck and the way it sounded. It wasn't too long after that when I got bit by the horsepower bug. Man, has that has cost me some money over the years...!

[Cadha13]

I looked at the specs for the 74 400 was 175 hp and at 280 lbs. ft. Not as bad as the 350 @ 155 hp. , my 05 4.3 V6 is more powerful. I took out the 250 L6 in my Dad's 1978 GMC three speed manual and put in a floor shifter, and a L69 Monte Carlo SS 305(200 hp, 260 lbs. ft.) in place of it. The 250 L6 had electric chokes in 78 and put in a M4ME instead of an 4MV Easy trucks to work on. Fun to drive.

 

Also before 1972, they used gross ie. horsepower without accessories, after that net ie with accessories. So a 2005 4.3L v6 would be over a HP per cubic inch using gross ratings(310 hp!!! around there).

[rj88sub]

I looked at the specs for the 74 400 was 175 hp and at 280 lbs. ft. Not as bad as the 350 @ 155 hp. , my 05 4.3 V6 is more powerful. I took out the 250 L6 in my Dad's 1978 GMC three speed manual and put in a floor shifter, and a L69 Monte Carlo SS 305(200 hp, 260 lbs. ft.) in place of it. The 250 L6 had electric chokes in 78 and put in a M4ME instead of an 4MV Easy trucks to work on. Fun to drive.

 

Also before 1972, they used gross ie. horsepower without accessories, after that net ie with accessories. So a 2005 4.3L v6 would be over a HP per cubic inch using gross ratings(310 hp!!! around there).

 

Cadha13 has a good point, so don't let numbers scare you....ratings are different today.

a smog equiped 400 has plenty still.....