400 sb Chevy in XM 708

[JimC2]

My brother is fixing to junk an old Chevy pickup that has a freshly overhauled 400 small block in it.

I'm thinking about pulling the 230 out of my 708 and doing a fully reversible installation of the 400. It would be an even easier install than the big block Chevy that I put in my 37. No modifications to frame or body are required.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[hndrsonj]

A XM-708 is extremely rare (around 200 made) I'd leave it stock.

 

[JimC2]

There were 192 built. 11 that still exist (maybe 12). I've owned this one for 42 years. Both are reasons why I specified a completely reversible installation.

 

[NDT]

Might be hard on the axle shafts.

 

[Recovry4x4]

What is the proposed gain or goal? Will it be temporary during a facory engine rebuild? Driveability gains?

 

[JimC2]

Probably no harder on the axle shafts than the big block Chevy that I put in my 37 about 45 years ago.
The bbc has given the 37 a considerable improvement in driveability in the mud, and axles have not been a problem so far, knock wood.

I would hope that the 400 would have a similar effect. Would you expect it to create more problems than the bbc?

 

[xm708]

Jim

As you know I have one of the few left and I would not hesitate to repower if it did not damage the truck to be brought back to original.. It is your truck do what you want to do to it... I believe yours is on my list of 12 or so known to exist..

 

[JimC2]

Yes, I'm on your list. The 400 SB is a bolt-in totally reversible retrofit (as is the Chevy big block).

 

[79 oshkosh 2323]

What is special about a xm 708.. I dont believe i have seen one..

 

[xm708]

Oshkosh an xm708 is a m37 built as a factory dump truck. There were about 198 made.. look to the left at my avatar that's an xm708 dump...

 

[Monkeyboyarmy]

I think that per the regs that single ownership is limited to 40 years. Contact me if you would like to be compliant.

I say go for it if it won't hurt anything.