So my 67 400 E block is almost ready to be picked up from the machine shop. It was a standard bore, core, short block that I purchased locally, history unknown. Factory pistons came out, crank is standard size, just needed a polish. Block was decked to get things square I am told. Machinist called me today to say the rod pin ends have been previously machined and are too big for the stock style .030 over pistons and fitted pins. He has found pins that will work after he machines the rod end and hones the piston pin bores. The big ends were checked and are good, nothing needed. Anyone have an idea of what went on here? I am just curious. He insists the rod pin end has been machined. I have extra rods but told him to go with his plan.

 

My first question would where did you find .030" over pistons for the 400E? As in are they really 4.030" Oldsmobile pistons?

 

Its only a guess they had to be opened up for some reason? knocking? and correct ones couldn't be sourced or because of scoring from some previous removal attempt, they used larger bb chevy they could of had laying aroundor some older dodge chrysler ones. Olds pins are .980 and the bbc are .990. There are bigger ones in the mopar world.

Did he say what size he found them to be? That might yield a better guesstimate.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oldsmobile-...UAAOxy06RRGVfd

Egge sells them among others, mine came from Ebay.

 

My local machine shop told me he knew of some dodge pistons that would work on the early 400 if the wrist pin holes were opened up. I don't know if that would explain what you found or not.

 

I thought it strange that the main caps had been stamped by someone when I took the crank and rods out, can't remember if I had to stamp the rods or if they were numbered as well. But stock bore, stock pistons, stock rod bearings.... just thought it was strange and was curious as to what went on in the past.

 

Olds/Pontiac are .980, Mopar is .984, not a huge difference.
OP what size did they open them up to? You need to ask that.

 

i will ask when I go there.

 

Turns out the machine shop could not locate the oversized piston pins he thought he could so the simplest thing to do was to get him another set of rods which I had... If I get a chance to measure the pins that were in there I will post.

 

Let us not forget the Pistons themselves hav 400 standard E blocks have a Fordged set of pistons and one of them is junk I'd like to know this information

 

Let us not forget the Pistons themselves hav 400 standard E blocks have a Fordged set of pistons and one of them is junk I'd like to know this information

 

Let us not forget the Pistons themselves hav 400 standard E blocks have a Fordged set of pistons and one of them is junk I'd like to know this information

 

^^ Why do you have three posts the same?

 

That's what it looks like when someone stutters online...

 

^^^ :d

 

I don't know but it must be contagious because I have done the same thing and I don't know why... Tedd

 

I used 350 Olds pistons for the "E" blocks. Std 350 Olds, bore the block and press pistons on the rods and now you have a 410 "E" block engine.

Gene