So I'm going to have my mechanic replace my manifold gaskets cause I'm not done farming yet (and I'm short on patience this time of year). If he ends up breaking a manifold bolt and has to pull the head I'm going to take that as an excuse to throw in a new cam. It's a 1977 f150 4X4 with a C6 and a 400. I'd like a good lope and as much power as I can get without causing problems. Not sure where to start. Any suggestions?

 

Also, I guess if I'm headed down that slippery slope, what else should I look at while I'm in there? I've read something about a new timing set to change the timing on these 400s. What about carb changes? Are headers worth the headache?

 

If you still have the old cast iron intake and want to keep that, then just get yourself an RV cam. Summit racing brand are good for this application. If you have an aftermarket intake or want to get one, get ready to spend a whole lot more. Comp Cam 268H kit comes with lifters timing set and everything, Edelbrock Performer 400 intake, Edelbrock 650 AVS carb, Summit brand headers, and egnine gasket kit should run you around $1300 in parts alone, not including fitting your existing exhaust. That's going to give you the lope, performance, and power you're looking for on the farm. The crazy thing is, with the exception of headers and exhaust, both cases require the same amount of labor. There are a lot of other combinations you could do, but this would be the route I would take being a farm boy myself. Good luck.

 

Don't over cam it.Lopey cams sounds nice but what is the intended use for the truck?Lopey cams and low compression don't work very well.Pick wisely.

 

If your farming with it I agree an RV grind cam would be a good choice. Intake@ headers unless you really want to spend money don't bother with it not much to gain with out head work to support them

 

I disagree. There is much to gain with headers, a 4BBl intake, Carter 625 and using the Comp Cams 268. (Also used a new timing chain installed straight up to eliminate the 4* of retardation.) I used all that on the 400 i had and LOVED the improvements. The Cleveland 2BBL heads are pretty good as they are. I haven't read much about how they need to be massaged to get any HP out of them,unlike the 460 heads.(just using that as a reference) Ive always heard that the 2BBL Cleveland heads are pretty stout for street use and respond well to mild improvements.
To the OP. Go for it. I think you have MUCH to gain.

 

Wow, thanks guys for the info. I farm but have other trucks to use for most of the grunt work. My 2011 F350 KR is ready to turn 300,000 in about 2 weeks. This is my toy/parts running truck when I have time to slow down and drive it. If I could get most of those parts for the 1,300 mark then that'd make sense. I'll keep listening. Thanks for the guidance.

 

Slik, does summit sell the whole thing as a kit?

 

No. If you haven't ever went to the SR website, it is very easy to use. select your truck and engine and everything will be there that you will need. If I get bored later I will get you a parts list. That stuff is fun to me.

 

Using your intake and carb- about $150
Summit Racing Part Number: SUM-K5201
SUM-G6505

Cam kit, intake, headers, and carb- about $1150
Summit Racing Part Number: CCA-K32-221-3
EDL-2171SUM-G9034
EDL-1806 or EDL-1406
Either way you go you need these gaskets- about $100
Summit Racing Part Number: FEL-KS2308
FEL-MS96020

 

Hey there mate, I'm looking into the same thing for my 302. Both these cams will be a bit 'peakier' in my engine due to its lower capacity so either should work fine in the 400. I'm assuming tis a 400M here, so using a Cleveland type camshaft.

The first is marketed as an 'RV / Torque' camshaft. It has int/exh duration of 254/264, @ .050" of 204/214 and lift of 486/512. It is supposed to deliver good, usable torque in the lower and midrange and will improve on the stock top end as well out to about 4,000rpm.

The second cam is a bit more aggressive, with int/exh duration of 269/269, @ .050" of 219/219 and lift of 505/505. It is my pick so far and would certainly be my pick for a 'no fuss' replacement option for a 351 or 400 based on my research.

Both are freely available from many auto stores online. I would get lifters and new valve springs included, like this kit:

Ford 351C 351M 400 CAM Lifters KIT RV Mercury W Valve Springs Mustang Cougar | eBay

If you dont get the springs especially you may find the stock ones are too tired to let the cam work well and it will sign off early, robbing you of your top end.

- boingk

 

If you change the cam it is a really good idea to change springs also to match. The OE 400 springs work well with the OE cam... and they have no reserve capacity for a higher lift cam. They tend to bind and/or break.

If the engine is otherwise stock spec, I would suggest a "straight up" timing set and call it good.

 

I recently installed a Summit RV cam in my 78 F150 351m 4x4. The old cam was pretty wore out and the new cam is incredible in this engine. It starts easy, runs well and has plenty of power. With a new cam, ya gotta have new lifters. I ordered the Summit cam kit with lifters. Also installed the Summit double roller timing chain set-straight up. I already had the Edelbrock performer intake and Holley 4 barrel. Last thing I did was Summit long tube headers, true duals and FlowMasters. Sounds as awesome as it runs

But...make sure your bearings are all good-you probably should put new cam bearings on the new cam. I didn't, and my oil pressure goes away at hot idle. Grrr

 

Awesome. I'm getting an idea of what needs done. I haven't rebuilt an engine since high school which is really saying something. Now I can tell the mechanic what I want to throw at it. Thanks Slick for the details. I went on their sight and after ten pages of cam kits for my truck I was quite lost.

 

How did those long tube headers fit on your truck papabear? Any clearance problems?