400 sbc steam holes posted by DennyW

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
DO YOU NEED STEAM HOLES DRILLED ? HERE'S HOW
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http://www.gregsengine.com/converting-3 ... o-400.html

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http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techa ... index.html
YOU MAY WANT TO READ THRU THIS LINK ALSO
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techa ... ng_tricks/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/water-wetter.2140/#post-5768

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http://www.stewartcomponents.net/Mercha ... Code=Therm



any radiator needs a good large and effective multi blade fan shroud to match the fan and make air flow through that radiator much more efficient
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buy and add a bottle, this stuff allows the micro surface contact of water inside the cylinder heads to allow a bit more efficient heat transfer rate, its no miracle, product , but its generally good for a 7-9 degree reduction in coolant heat.
tips on reducing the heat of your engine coolant,

you might also consider adding an oil cooler as oil does a great deal of the heat transfer inside any engine, thus reducing oil temperatures tends to reduce coolant temperatures.
Id also point out that,adding an auxiliary oil and/or trans mission fluid cooler with a powered fan, too the car, helps remove heat far more effectively and can remove a great deal of heat load from the radiator well before the coolant in the engine needs to deal with it

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400 sbc engines have a reputation for running hotter than the average SBC thats only partially deserved
the 400 SBC used SIAMESE CYLINDER WALLS, and the average hot rodder , looking at the larger bore 400 block, only looked at the potential for increased displacement, and never put much thought into the engineering required to effectively use that increased bore diam. thus the fact the Siamese block design meant the coolant can't pass between the cylinders so heat does tend to have a very slightly lower surface area to allow coolant to absorb the heat generated from., for decades guys swapped the better flowing fuelie heads onto the larger displacement 400 based engines without adding the additional coolant steam holes, to help the Siamese cylinder wall block design, cool more effectively , and forget that if you increase compression, and produce significantly more horse power that power increase is the result of burning MORE FUEL BURNT FASTER, AT HIGHER AVERAGE RPMS, which, always results in producing higher average heat levels as a by product.
theres no free lunch , if you increase a 400 sbc power from a stock 185 hp two barrel engine that might have 9:1 compression that rarely saw 4500 rpm, into lets say a 406 SBC with better heads, 11:1 compression that, engine could easily, produce 470 hp , your going to reasonably expect nearly double the heat energy being produced.

a KNOWLEDGEABLE hot rodder, willing to think through the required modifications will have no trouble keeping a 400 SBC based engine cool

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ONCE COOLANT BOILS it lost the full ability to absorb heat as partial direct contact with the metal surface is partially lost, one reason cooling systems are pressurized is to increase the boiling point threshold
The 5.7" rods vs the stock 5.565 " rods are a slight improvement in rod angularity and 6" rods would be slightly better but even the shorter rods work reasonably well if correctly clearanced and the rotating assembly balance as long as the rpms keep the piston speeds reasonable for the components being used (GENERALLY under 6200rpm)

READ THE LINKS AND SUB LINKS CAREFULLY

the cylinder heads, need to have extra "STEAM HOLES" drilled this allows coolant to more easily flow from the areas more prone to low coolant flow rates.
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/400-sbc-steam-holes-posted-by-dennyw.2991/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/thoughts-on-cooling.149/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/how-the-cooling-system-works-basics.853/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-system-flow-rates-and-heat-transfer.9880/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/water-wetter.2140/

use the correct sealants
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/sealants-and-threads.805/#post-1171

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...venting-leaky-head-bolts-studs.50/#post-12528
using a surface tension destroying additive in the coolant like purple ice or water wetter can significantly reduce or prevent this, which is one of the reasons the 400 chevy has extra steam holes in the heads and gaskets
Solution
In an ideal world your coolant temp never exceeds 210F and spends most of its time around 180F-190F , oil MUST reach 215F occasionally during your cars operation, to burn off moisture and acids but should be at about 10 degrees hotter than the coolant, most good quality oil easily handles 240F for limited times, If I was you Id stick a 180F- or -190F T-stat in the car with several holes, ID custom drill in the flange, to allow some coolant flow at all times, this does slow the time required for the engine to reach operational temps but it alst tends to almost totally reduce the temperature swings as the t-stat opens and closes
buy a new 190F t-stat but before installing it drill 6 3/32" holes in the flange this mod usually prevents that problem and results in stable temps, stable temps are far less likely to result in a head gasket seal problem

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http://www.newyorkrestomod.com/category_s/1820.htm

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if you have the room mounting the coolant temp sensor in the radiator t-stat housing location with a custom spacer for the sensors, is a good option as it tends to read more consistently than sensors mounted in the cylinder head.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEZ-WN0028U/?rtype=10
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEZ-WN0028U/?rtype=7
You should use a 400 head gasket as a template to mark the heads and Drill the 3 holes on the intake side using a 3/16 drill bit at a 10 degree angle towards the exhaust side of the head. Drill the 3 remaining holes using a 1/4 inch drill bit straight down towards the top of the head. 1- Start by marking the approximate steam hole locations with a marker or die. Next insert 2 dowel pins into the heads dowel pin holes and lay the 400 head gasket onto the head over the dowel pins. This will keep the gasket aligned precisely as you mark the holes. 2- Level the head with the deck side facing up and drill the 3 holes that run parallel to the exhaust side of the head using a 1/8 inch drill bit. The maximum size for these holes are .250 or 1/4 inch. 3- For the angled holes, level the head at 10 degrees so that you will be drilling from the intake side of the head down toward the exhaust side 4- To drill the remaining 3 holes in the head use a starter bit first then switch to a 1/8 inch drill bit. This will make it easier to get the holes started on angle without drill deflection. The maximum size for these holes are .187 or 3/16 inch. 5- clean off heads with brack clean or parts cleaner. use a new head gasket to make sure holes are correct.

I borrowed this info long ago, because all the pictures were there, and I hope it's ok to post here. This is a vital part on Head procedures. I always have done this when redoing heads. If the holes aren't there, they soon will be. Not that hard to do either.smile

The cylinder heads on the Small Block Chevy 400 were prone to crack and the cores for this engine are increasingly more difficult to find. Machining the 350ci cylinder heads to match the 400ci heads is an excellent way to keep your 400ci engine alive.

To use the Small Block Chevy 350 head on a 400 block, it will be necessary to drill six 1/8 inch holes in the cylinder heads. Use a 400 head gasket as a template to mark the heads and Drill the 3 holes on the intake side at a 40 degree angle towards the exhaust side of the head. Drill the 3 remaining holes straight down towards the top of the head.

PROCEDURE

1. Start by marking the approximate steam hole locations with a marker or die. Next insert 2 dowel pins into the heads dowel pin holes and lay the 400 head gasket onto the head over the dowel pins. This will keep the gasket aligned precisely as you mark the holes.

2. Level the head with the deck side facing up and drill the 3 holes that run parallel to the exhaust side of the head using a 1/8 inch drill bit. The maximum size for these holes are .250 or 1/4 inch.

3. For the angled holes, level the head at 40 degrees so that you will be drilling from the intake side of the head down toward the exhaust side as shown in the picture below.

4. To drill the remaining 3 holes in the head use a starter bit first then switch to a 1/8 inch drill bit. This will make it easier to get the holes started on angle without drill deflection. The maximum size for these holes are .156 or 5/32 inch.

The finished heads with the steam holes drilled and a 3 angle valve job.

Marine Use: The SBC 400 engine is not a good choice for use in marine applications unless you have a closed water system. The steam holes tend to get plugged up rather quickly followed by a blown head gasket. If you do choose the 400 engine for marine use then the maximum diameter steam holes may help. A better choice for use in a marine application would be the 350 engine or 383 stroker engine.
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STEAM HOLES
In applications where a 400 engine block is used, you must drill six 9/64†steam holes in the
cylinder heads. With the head upside down use the 400 head gasket as a template to mark the
locations of the holes to be drilled. The three holes on the intake side should be drilled at a 30
degree angle towards the center of the head and may need to be over one inch deep. The
remaining three holes are drilled straight down towards the top of the head.
Intake Side - Drill these 3 holes at 30° angle towards the
exhaust side of head.
Exhaust Side - Drill these 3 straight holes


You should use a 400 head gasket as a template to mark the heads and Drill the 3 holes on the intake side using a 3/16 drill bit at a 10 degree angle towards the exhaust side of the head. Drill the 3 remaining holes using a 1/4 inch drill bit straight down towards the top of the head. 1- Start by marking the approximate steam hole locations with a marker or die. Next insert 2 dowel pins into the heads dowel pin holes and lay the 400 head gasket onto the head over the dowel pins. This will keep the gasket aligned precisely as you mark the holes. 2- Level the head with the deck side facing up and drill the 3 holes that run parallel to the exhaust side of the head using a 1/8 inch drill bit. The maximum size for these holes are .250 or 1/4 inch. 3- For the angled holes, level the head at 10 degrees so that you will be drilling from the intake side of the head down toward the exhaust side 4- To drill the remaining 3 holes in the head use a starter bit first then switch to a 1/8 inch drill bit. This will make it easier to get the holes started on angle without drill deflection. The maximum size for these holes are .187 or 3/16 inch. 5- clean off heads with brack clean or parts cleaner. use a new head gasket to make sure holes are correct.

btw I would NEVER reuse the 400 sbc 5.565 rods, they are at least 40 years old,
have been through unknown millions of stress cycles,
and are well known to be a rather weak design,
that was originally designed for a lower to mid rpm torque engine,
intended mostly for pick-up trucks and luxury cars with automatic transmissions.

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you can purchase 5.7" connecting rods that are
easily over twice as strong as the O.E.M. connecting rods used in a stock 400 sbc
for LESS,
than it would cost to rebuild ,resize and add ARP rod bolts to the original rods


below is only one of several dozen options if your building a performance SBC
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sca-25700716

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exhaust port numbers 3&5 and 4 &6 are next to each other, this tends to make that area of the sbc cylinder heads run hotter a more efficient water pump, forcing a bit more flow volume may help, as will a larger radiator and adding some
water wetter additives, and many guys find drilling steam holes on 400 sbc heads helps cooling issues, but keep in mind its oil flow rates that provide a significant percentage of the initial engine cooling.
many guys vastly under appreciate the cooling effect a 7-8 quart baffled oil pan and additional oil cooler,
have on the total heat transfer rates out of an engine compartment.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/thoughts-on-cooling.149/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/how-the-cooling-system-works-basics.853/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/400-sbc-steam-holes-posted-by-dennyw.2991/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...pring-cooling-via-engine-oil.6491/#post-56753

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/choosing-an-engine-oil-cooler.15375/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-system-flow-rates-and-heat-transfer.9880/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-fans-one-mostly-over-looked-component.2756/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/do-i-need-the-fan-shroud.13847/

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RELATED INFO



http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techa ... index.html

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http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway- ... ,1856.html
Cylinder Pressure Note: youll generally want to try hard to maximize the useable compression as the higher the compression before you get into detonation the more efficiently the fuel can be burnt and the more torque the engine can produce, if limited to pump high test 92-93 octane fuel,165 psi # of cylinder pressure is about the best cylinder pressure for Iron heads with 92-93 octane, using pure un-ethanol laced fuel, gasoline. while the faster heat transfer rate of aluminum cylinder heads will usually allow 190psi # as the upper limit or best for aluminum heads.
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ON MANY RACE INTAKE MANIFOLDS THE REAR WATER OR COOLANT PORTS ARE ALREADY TAPPED AND THREADED FOR SIMILAR COOLANT HOSE KITS.... (A & B)

This cooling unit, in theory improves coolant flow thru the cylinder head near the exhaust ports and reduces hot spots in your small block Chevy. Fittings install in each head adjacent to the crossover and connect to thermostat housing. Suitable for use with all aluminum and cast iron heads. Contains spacer/adapter, two 18" high-pressure hoses, (4) 1/8" NPT x AN 4
fittings, gaskets and hardware.
BTW adding a product like water wetter WITH ALUMINUM HEADS that have the combustion chambers polished, and rough edges rounded,
http://www.jegs.com/i/Red+Line+Oil/...9tyTMBn1crmsdfMY47Q4pCIuC9Mffj8O9AhoCASjw_wcB
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-piston-pin-height-compression-height.5064/

Specs
  • Comp Height 5.565" Rod - 1.561
  • Comp Height 5.7" Rod - 1.433
  • Comp Height 6.0" Rod - 1.13
  • Pin Diameter - 0.9272

if you change to much cheaper and much stronger 5.7" connecting rods the less common compression height pistons are not an issue
youll have dozens of choices in a 4.125-4.165 bore diam. with a 5.7" rod
keep in mind the old O.E.M. rods have already been through millions of stress cycles and they are a weak design
resizing, , refurbishing the original 400 connecting rods, and replacing
just the connecting rod bolts will cost far more than the SCAT 5.7" aftermarket rods that are at least TWICE as strong
.


http://www.scatcrankshafts.com/rods/

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/KB-Claimer-Chevy-400-Hypereutectic-Pistons-Flat-Top-57-Rod,33222.html


5.565 rods
http://www.herbertcams.com/espcrs5565b-3d-sb-chevy-5-565-4340-forged-h-beam-rods/

https://www.stevemorrisengines.com/...cks/sbc/sbc-4340-forged-h-beam-rods-5565.html


5.7" rods
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Smal...el-I-Beam-Rods-5-7-Inch-Bushed-Pin,29376.html

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Scat...340-I-Beam-Rods-5-7-Inch-Bushed-Pin,6608.html


piston for 5.7 rod
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/slp-h615cp


piston for 5.565 rods
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/slp-h400cp
and anti corosion additives
http://www.conklin.com/files/pdf/vp0904_002345_1210_SpecSafe.pdf
tends to speed the coolant heat absorbs ion rate, allowing a bit more or faster ignition curve advance, before detonation as it reduces combustion temps
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ONCE COOLANT BOILS it lost the full ability to absorb heat as partial direct contact with the metal surface is partially lost, one reason cooling systems are pressurized is to increase the boiling point threshold


READ THE LINKED INFO
 
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http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/90678-small-block-400-cooling-tricks/


AJ72 said:
he siamese cylinder bores are just that, siamesed. They're joined together externally, like siamese twins.

Any other SBC has the cylinder walls separated so coolant can pass around them, 360*. The siamesed walls don't allow great circulation, so that's why they put steam holes in the block that go into the head to relieve the build up of air pressure in the crevice between the deck surface and the cylinder walls.

Here's a 350 block, then below it is the 400 block for comparison. You'll see the steam holes (~1/8" IIRC) just below where the two cylinder walls meet.

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__________________

https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Drilling_steam_holes_in_smallblock_Chevy_heads

Introduction
The SBC 400 block was designed with steam holes in the deck and heads. The steam holes were designed to rid the cooling system of steam caused by localized heating under some conditions due to the 400 block having siamesed cylinders (meaning the cylinder's OD's are physically connected to each other due to the large bore size combined with the block having the same bore spacing as the 1955 SBC 265 cid engine).

SBC heads with steam holes can be used on other blocks without problem by using a 350 head gasket.

[edit]How to drill a head for steam holes
Heads without steam holes can be drilled for them by using the correct 400 head gasket with steam holes as a template.

  • Start by marking the approximate steam hole locations with a marker or die.
  • Next insert 2 dowel pins into the heads dowel pin holes and lay the 400 head gasket onto the head over the dowel pins. This will keep the gasket aligned precisely as you mark the holes.
  • Level the head with the deck side facing up and drill the 3 holes that run parallel to the exhaust side of the head using a 1/8 inch drill bit. The maximum size for these holes are .250 or 1/4 inch.
  • For the angled holes, level the head at 10 degrees so that you will be drilling from the intake side of the head down toward the exhaust side.
    • use a starter bit first then switch to a 1/8 inch drill bit. This will make it easier to get the holes started on angle without drill deflection or sliding. The maximum size for these holes is 0.187" or 3/16".
  • Use a sharp bit and take your time.
  • Clean off the heads when done.
The steam holes can be done by hand if attention is paid to angling the drill bit on the three angled holes on the intake side, and a starter bit is used to to start the hole straight down to make a small indentation to use to keep the bit from sliding as you lay the drill over to the correct angle, as mentioned above. The three holes that are drilled straight down are not a problem. Steam holes can also be made using a drill press equipped with an adjustable table.

[edit]Cooling system mod
If the steam holes are drilled or not, a modification to the cooling system that can help the efficiency overall is to connect the port at the top of the water pump to a rear water port on the intake manifold. Not all intakes have a water port in that location. But on many intake manifolds a pipe threaded port can be added.

[edit]Are steam holes needed?


Showing approximate angle of intake side steam holes


Click on image for enlarged view
There are quite a few builders who claim the holes are not needed on an engine that will see "normal" duty, i.e. not idled for extended periods like a delivery truck, for example. Among them is noted engine builder Joe Sherman (of Joe Sherman Racing) who says, "I have built hundreds of 400 engines, WITHOUT the steam holes, and never had a problem. Guys used to send me their heads for me to drill the holes, because I only charged 80 dollars to do the job, but I never did it for my own stuff."





Showing approximate angle of intake side steam holes


Click on image for enlarged view


[edit]References
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