Hi Dencouch, and Happy Birthday too!
Cool wife is right! Still tryin to convince mine that I need stuff for the Sunbird
that she needs to finance!
I've owned lotsa Blue Blocks, Ram III's and the 390 horse 428 Poncho and luvved'em all and would consider this a noble effort, But, the 400 SBC is a lot less work for the same amount of effort with perhaps less tempermental end results should be considered and don't forget that 7.5 rear end now with that Bigblock Torque!!!...
If you do the Big Blue Block, Don't forget to pop off the Oilpan B4 you put it in, These monsters don't have enuf clearance between the oil sump pickup screen and the bottom of the oil pan and usually end up becoming restricted or even sometimes plugged reducing oil pressure and crank-bearings spin as a result
found out the hard way myself, spun the bearings and snapped the camshaft in three places redlining through the gears one day, one tough engine and "still ran ,"very poorly"of course, [Ram3, 400x400hp]
If you plot this swap, start the "hunt" for the rear end change out, or consider Bob Gumms post and "beef it up" as it will help. Just food for thought...Ron...
"remember... not everything is good on TOAST!"
3 Birds of a Feather...
#1 the Silver '80 W-66 code Formula purchased 9 years ago
#2 red "80 W-66 code Formula purchased Mar./16
#3 black '78-9 coupe with spoiler kit and 4spd 305...parted out to a Terrific H-Buddy
2015 Cruze Turbo Diesel/ Just replaced by the 2016 Sonic
'98 GMC 1/2 ton with corporate 3/4 ton driveline still makin' it all possible