Just wondering....

[Fast Freddie]

I bought this 66 Belvedere a while back that someone had started some restoration on. New floor pans, dual exhaust, front steering components, door panels, carpet etc. Box of other new small parts.

The engine is a 400ci that starts and runs well with a smooth idle, no smoke or strange noises. It is painted all up nice and pretty and doesn't appear to have been run much at all.

I'm wondering if the engine is stock or what. The previous owner has very little knowledge of the cars history but gave me the name of the guy he bought it from. That guy said he put the new exhaust, carpet etc. in the car but the only thing he did with the engine was repair a vacuum leak on the intake manifold. He did say that the internals that he observed during the repair were extremely clean.

Without taking the car somewhere and putting it on a dyno or tearing it down, does anyone have any suggestions on some clues that might suggest the status of the engine?

 

[mopar 3 B]

Definitely not the original engine if a 400 and are you positive it is a 400? If it runs as stated and you are just using it as an occasional driver leave it alone.

 

[Fast Freddie]

Mopar, it was originally a 273 car. It is stamped 400 on the pad near the dist shaft. Why do you say leave it alone?

 

[69Runner]

Most stock 400's would be lower compression like 8.2:1, maybe a compression test would provide a clue? But I'm guessing. Just a thought.

 

[Fast Freddie]

Good point 69. When I get her back from the body shop I'll check it out.

 

[dieseldazzle]

You could pull a valve cover and have a look around.

You can also look at the oil on the dipstick.

Do a leak down test should have great results if its a fresh engine.

Other than that I dont see any other minimally invasive things you can do unless you know someone with a scope you could have a look around.

 

[The Horvaths]

Vacuum gauge and compression tester are two great ways to evaluate engine health. Read the plugs while doing the compression test.

Start here: http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/2011/05/check-your-engines-health-with-a-vacuum-gauge/

 

[Cranky]

Low compression 400's can run pretty decent with simple things like a mild cam, intake and headers. Ran that in a 3/4 ton pickup with 3.54 gears and 29" tall tires and it ran a 15.40. Not too shabby for a 4500 lb truck. Back when I had that in the late 80's, the stock 5.0 Mudstains were barely running 15.30's and they sure didn't like a beater 3/4 ton pickup even acting like it could give them a run lol. In a vehicle that was around 3300 lbs, low 14's shouldn't be a problem. My 66 Belvedere 2 dr post was 3370 when I got it and after some weight reduction, it ended up at 2950 with the AC still on it...

 

[mopar 3 B]

Mopar, it was originally a 273 car. It is stamped 400 on the pad near the dist shaft. Why do you say leave it alone?

The engine is a 400ci that starts and runs well with a smooth idle, no smoke or strange noises. It is painted all up nice and pretty and doesn't appear to have been run much at all.

If you are going to drive this occasional to cruse nights and car shows. The condition of the engine in your original post pretty much sums it up.

 

[Fast Freddie]

I hear what you're saying mopar but you know how it is....you just want to know:read2:

 

[The Horvaths]

Assuming that you look at it prior to buying; you should be able know before you buy one. I take a vacuum gauge, at the very least, whenever I go to look at a running vehicle.