Chevy & GMC Vans

I just seen a complete 1974 Chevy 400 small block on craigslist. With vortec heads a decent cam and fuel system this engine would be a serious torque monster. To bad it would never pass emissions in California. Price $600.00 for a running 80,000 mile motor.

400's are pretty hot runners in such a small space. But...
Why couldnt you get it to pass? Just Curious, I have no laws like that here...
SBC blocks are all pretty similar, itnt it the fuel system and computer you hook it up with that controls the emisions.
You would still be using the stock stuff basically no matter what SBC you attach it all too?
Do they actually look up the numbers on the block to find out the year or something?

Two things come into play.First,the 400's in it's day was a pretty dirty engine in terms of emissions.Gm loaded it up with emissions equipment and has 76 cc head chambers to help it out.Still it was/is a dirty engine.I think by today's standards even with all the emissions equipment hooked up,it wouldn't pass.
Second,it is getting real hard to find a good core of a 400 these days.Because of that if I found one used,I would want to check it every which way to Sunday starting with casting numbers of the block and heads to compression tests and leakdown tests.There is special handling when it comes to 400.Boring/honing with torque plates to sonic checking the bores to name afew.The decks because of poor cooling do normally need attention too.Gets back to some of the reasons why 1996 to 2000 truck Vortecs are a better choice for a 383 stroker.A cheap head for a 383 is the Bowtie 200cc head and raised intake.

I agree from what I have read about them, I just like the idea of having a somewhat rare engine in a running vehicle. Kind of a novelty item. But I am not about to buy it just for that reason. I know that it is possible to drill the steam holes into any small block heads to be used on the 400 but that just adds to the cost. If anyone is interested they are listed in NH craigslist.