Chevy big block 400

Got a '72 suburban with the california package-didn't know they existed till I found out more about the one in my barn-with the 400 in it. Now, I'd love to fix up that old tank...but come on now. As fun as that would be...it's a tank. Might as well put it into a much lighter, smaller body...like a nova perhaps, though preferably something new(er) so I don't have to mess with the suspension and all that TOO much..though not many new cars can be bought for cheap and fit a 400 in it, I don't think... Any suggestions, for now, just on a suitable body for it, or any links/advice that may help in the future?  

The 400 Chevy is actually a small-block casting, with a siamesed deck. Meaning your cylinders have no water jackets. You should be able to bolt that engine up to a THM-350 or 400 transmission with little diffculty. You will want to focus on your cooling system, if you decide to build the engine. The engine should be able to transplant into some of the older GM cars. You might need to save engine mounts and definitely your harmonic balancer, and flywheel. That engine is externally balanced, changing the flywheel, and balancer would disrupt your crank balance. Hope this helps you out.  
Guzzling gas and hauling ass, the true American way.

ok... lets step back....  

 small block chevys have 4 bolts on the valve covers (2 on the top , 2 on the bottom)  

big block chevys have 7 bolts in the valve covers...   4 on the bottom... 3 on the top row..



400 small blocks and 454 big blocks are externally balanced...   all the other old style... small and big blocks from the factory... are 0 balanced..


get some casting numbers off the top rear of the block.. where the trans bolts up...  post them...  get the stamped in numbers off the right front deck infront of the head..  both rows of numbers... that will tell you when you convert it.. what the block was used in originally...    it could be used in many applications if it was rebuilt.. or even just swapped...

and what you have thought up as been done since the first mid side rolled off the show room floor...  

Don't jump to conclusions here, we need clarification. Some people choose to call 402 big blocks 400's back in the day.