400 Bow Tie Block

[jwillettgn]

Bow Tie casting block P/N 10051184, with the latest updates. I have been looking at the Little M but have a line on 4 new in the crate Bow tie blocks.
Anyone run one of these blocks?


Jim

 

[Louie L.]

For the right price Id use one. But they do have cast nodular caps and will take less over bore than a little M.

 

[jwillettgn]

These blocks are two bolt mains so that means you can do the 4 bolt splayed upgrade. The blocks are $695.00 each, they bought out a GM warehouse.

Jim

 

[Chuck Leeper]

$695, plus frt, plus a grand in machining/prep.
Maybe start w/ an aftermkt that's already done??
If you are starting from scratch... How about an LSX block, some L-92 heads???

 

[Louie L.]

Knowing if what your goals are or if these are being bought as an investment would help.

 

[jwillettgn]

They also have the block fully machined ready to go as they are a machine shop as well. Alot of the local circle track guy's have bought stuff from them with no problems. As far as performance goals, we just want to go to the track, have fun, and not always break stuff and then spend an arm and leg to fix it. When we were setting up our car we had a chevy V8 swap in mind, ie. 9" Ford and T400 with the JW Ultra Bell. The LSX motors are nice and I having been messing with them some and like what I see.

Here are links to the block adds, Skip White gives alot on info in his adds. LOL

eBay Motors: SBC CHEVY 383,400 BOWTIE BLOCK BRAND NEW IN THE CRATE (item 270285215144 end time Oct-11-08 15:33:02 PDT)

eBay Motors: SBC CHEVY 383 STROKER 400 406 BOWTIE BLOCK IN CRATE (item 250315736816 end time Nov-26-08 13:14:57 PST)

eBay Motors: SBC CHEVY 383 STROKER 406 BOWTIE BLOCK FULLY MACHINED (item 260307601196 end time Nov-28-08 02:10:06 PST)

Thanks,
Jim

 

[malibuick231]

I know these guys I used to live in Kingsport. They do all the high performance stuff around there. Good shop

 

[Louie L.]

I have purchased stuff from them Via EBAY. Its been cheap sbc knock off stuff but good quaility. And they give great descriptions.

 

[Kid Turbine]

This blocks have a moderate overbore spec from gm. I was looking at one of these block also it is more around 4.180 for a 184 block but the auctions is for 183 blocks but have 184 pics on the auction. And i know people who built 421 18 degree motors out of these (4.155 x 3.875). The only thing is to sonic test before more then 4.125 (183) but should pass easliy. So for the buck it is a good deal and aftermarket blocks copied this block in the first place. I would have bought one but ran across the 184 block with 4 bolt diamond main caps and a 4.020 bore for 750 shipped!!!!


GM spec

183 block
4.00 - 4.090 (more around 4.155)
3.75 stroke (4.000 need clearencing)
2 bolt

184 block
4.00-4.155 (more around 4.180)
3.75 stroke (4.000 need clearencing)
4 bolt

Information come from very reliable high perofrmance pro-mod builders

Hey malibuick231,

I didn't find a regal body to build but I have a 92 fox body instead.
it will be a 421 or 427 dart 230 headed roller motor with a blow-thur f series procharger for ez street class in oscra.

 

[jwillettgn]

Thanks for the info.

Jim

 

[kelley555]

400 bow tie 2 bolt

Hello Buick guys.I noticed the post about the bow tie block.The blocks are 184 casting blocks,I recently purchased 3.I built a 415 ci motown std bore/540hp pump gas engine a few month back,that project wouldn't have happened if these came along at that time.The bow tie block casting changed was in 1988.This 2 bolt block has the same casting number as the high dollar 4 bolt block with the billet caps,but has the two bolt grey iron main caps.This block has been sitting around ,looks like to me Gm didn't respec the literature.They list it at most site to go 4.090,but it will go .60 past the 4.125 400 bore size.Not as much as my motown,but close at alot cheaper price.The big guys like Lingenfelter & nascar guys know it.My math shows around .2075at 4.185.Not bad.Look at all the 509 2 bolt oem 400's that everbody been buiding over the years,boring 0,30 over 7 having .070-.100 thick wall,& they were suppose to be good.The don't have quite the meat left when bored as does the motown & Dart little m,but about the same as the new SHP dart block.The 2 bolt main for a non blown or nitrous motor will be fine.Gm has definetly under rated the Hp rating for sure.A block that will clear a 3.75 stroke ,bore .060 past 4.125,what are you guys waiting for.I did my home work,I'll probably get 3 more.The 400 oem junk has just about dried up anyways.I just drop 1 block off at the machine shop to build a std 400 ci with a callies 3.75 magnum /i-beam 4340 lightwt. rodded /inverted dome.probably around 530-535 if Afr go on it.I already have the 2nd bow tie block project coming std. bore 406(3.800 crower crank/6.00 rod).Cons about the block:#1 hone the lifter bore a little over a .001 2# have to install a rear seal adapter,but with the right adapter,you can use 2 or 1 piece seal crank or either pre-86 or 86-92 oil pans.Then select how you want your oil dip stick tube.I've done my homework& thats why Travis at White has sold me several blocks.What a deal for us that know & are using the gen! & kind of 2 stuff.You nooze you lose.Later jr

This blocks have a moderate overbore spec from gm. I was looking at one of these block also it is more around 4.180 for a 184 block but the auctions is for 183 blocks but have 184 pics on the auction. And i know people who built 421 18 degree motors out of these (4.155 x 3.875). The only thing is to sonic test before more then 4.125 (183) but should pass easliy. So for the buck it is a good deal and aftermarket blocks copied this block in the first place. I would have bought one but ran across the 184 block with 4 bolt diamond main caps and a 4.020 bore for 750 shipped!!!!


GM spec

183 block
4.00 - 4.090 (more around 4.155)
3.75 stroke (4.000 need clearencing)
2 bolt

184 block
4.00-4.155 (more around 4.180)
3.75 stroke (4.000 need clearencing)
4 bolt

Information come from very reliable high perofrmance pro-mod builders

Hey malibuick231,

I didn't find a regal body to build but I have a 92 fox body instead.
it will be a 421 or 427 dart 230 headed roller motor with a blow-thur f series procharger for ez street class in oscra.

 

[kelley555]

Hello Buick guys.I noticed the post about the bow tie block.The blocks are 184 casting blocks,I recently purchased 3.I built a 415 ci motown std bore/540hp pump gas engine a few month back,that project wouldn't have happened if these came along at that time.The bow tie block casting changed was in 1988.This 2 bolt block has the same casting number as the high dollar 4 bolt block with the billet caps,but has the two bolt grey iron main caps.This block has been sitting around ,looks like to me Gm didn't respec the literature.They list it at most site to go 4.090,but it will go .60 past the 4.125 400 bore size.Not as much as my motown,but close at alot cheaper price.The big guys like Lingenfelter & nascar guys know it.My math shows around .2075at 4.185.Not bad.Look at all the 509 2 bolt oem 400's that everbody been buiding over the years,boring 0,30 over 7 having .070-.100 thick wall,& they were suppose to be good.The don't have quite the meat left when bored as does the motown & Dart little m,but about the same as the new SHP dart block.The 2 bolt main for a non blown or nitrous motor will be fine.Gm has definetly under rated the Hp rating for sure.A block that will clear a 3.75 stroke ,bore .060 past 4.125,what are you guys waiting for.I did my home work,I'll probably get 3 more.The 400 oem junk has just about dried up anyways.I just drop 1 block off at the machine shop to build a std 400 ci with a callies 3.75 magnum /i-beam 4340 lightwt. rodded /inverted dome.probably around 530-535 if Afr go on it.I already have the 2nd bow tie block project coming std. bore 406(3.800 crower crank/6.00 rod).Cons about the block:#1 hone the lifter bore a little over a .001 2# have to install a rear seal adapter,but with the right adapter,you can use 2 or 1 piece seal crank or either pre-86 or 86-92 oil pans.Then select how you want your oil dip stick tube.I've done my homework& thats why Travis at White has sold me several blocks.What a deal for us that know & are using the gen! & kind of 2 stuff.You nooze you lose.Later jr

Oh yeah,check out some of the Bow Tie Sportsman info at Gmperformanceparts.com.These are great 400 block,subsitutes,with a small amt of massaging,a 3.875" or 4" stroke is easy,you have to be carefully with the rod & cam clearance issue,that's with all the Dart & Motown 9.025 ht blocks,can you say small basecircle cam for the big cubes.Grab & install 3 higher alloy 4 bolt main caps & stablize the crank for doing a little spraying or turboing or blowering away.They may not be the trickest,but their not far off,especially for the price.Just check the price at Jegs,you'll see.These block have alot of the same features as the Dart & Motown riority oiling;.900 thick bulk heads;.340 nominal thickness at 3.980";extra thick blind-tapped head bolt holes.Do these sound familar.Later Jr

 

[tommynos]

I looked into this set-up and came up with this,its a 2 bolt block so I would need it splayed which was $375 more,the prepped block was $1095 + $125 for shipping which = $1595 and id have a issue with my big quart oil pan as it has the 1 piece seal so id need a adapter...

This is what I found,The dart SHP fully prepped and shipped to your door for $1455...Better deal,better block..
eBay Motors: DART SBC CHEVY FINISHED MACHINED NEW BLOCK 1955-85 (item 310109880204 end time Jan-16-09 15:48:35 PST)



EDIT:They just changed it to not free shipping just recently,as like today or yesterday(after I got mine)?