This seems like the place for 400 Ford info. Nice group.
Have tried searching for the answer without luck.
Does anyone know the approx. max cam lift before piston to valve clearance problems on the '71 400's? As I understand it, this year had the factory flattops with about 9:1 compression.
This is for a recently bought '71 Galaxie with a 400 with 37K miles on it. Would like to improve on it without doing a complete rebuild. Thinking a hydraulic flat tappet cam, lifters, springs, timing chain, 4v intake, and possibly headers will make for a fun driver. It appears the bottom end is still sound, carries 25-60psi oil pressure at idle depending on temp. Compression is even across cylinders, but it does have some lifter tick, or maybe a cam lobe or two going down? Not sure yet.
Seems most members here go with the Comp Cams 255, 265 or 268 cams for off road use. Would a more aggresive cam work well in this car? A lopey idle is not a problem, and is desired actually. Switching it to a 5 speed with 4:11 gears and 28" tall tires.
I gave my grandson a 72 Galaxie 500 with a el-cheapo rebuild I did (rings, bearings, the basics) and recently added a 4V intake and carb, it made a noticeable difference.
I think the 72 and later timing chain is retarded 8 deg, which slowed it down. Someone tell me if Im wrong on that one. With a more aggresive cam, yea Id throw in new springs and play it safe.
Are you putting it back in this 71 Galaxie or a truck ?
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Bill Lloyd
1981 Ford F250 4 x 4 351M & 4 speed
1982 Ford Econoline 300 six
71 400? nice, if you ever remove the heads, get a picture of the pistons in the bore, any ways i would get a comp cam xe256h, if you want more get the xe262h but stay there these guys dont like the revs, headers would be nice, a 4bbl intake and a 650 cfm carb would be cool too..
pd.. 777 my lucky number....
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"Drive it like you stole it..."
I have the same cam but the motor is still on the engine stand. I went with the xe256h too it's for my brake vaccum. I need brake in that mustang ! When is gonna be in, i let you know how it perfomed.
The engine will remain in the '71 Galaxie. Its a "toy" to play with. Not a daily driver or anything.
I'll get some pics if the heads need to come off. There is another set of early OC heads here that could be cleaned up with some mild bowl port work and any valve springs/retainers that would be needed.
What is it about these engines that they don't rev? Have read that a lot on here, but is it the engine or the cams used for the application? Seems most use a short duration cam for off roading that makes sense for that application, and also limits the rpm's, but why not go with slightly more cam for a car that has deeper gears and a manual tranny? Something in the 220-235 @ .050" duration range? 5500 rpm shouldn't be a problem should it?
How much lift can a stock short block tolerate approximately before the pistons need flycut?
they can rev, the thing is they work way better as torquers which could get the job done even better than a revver, yeah 5500 is a good goal here. Since im running mine in a mustang i used a hotter cam (exteme energy 270-280) with a nice duration and 10:1 compresion with stock heads. To make it rev past 6k you will need better flowing heads, 2vs are good for up to 5k maybe 5500 on a 400. My cam has a range of power between 1000 and 5500, Im getting the nice torque and 400hp @5000, maybe you could use something similar...
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"Drive it like you stole it..."
The reason people stay away from very high revs is because it's not what the engine was designed to do. The large rotating assembly required for the 4" stroke produces substantial internal forces at high rpm and reduces engine life.
400 lovers focus on torque. Bottom end and mid-range is more impressive than top end on the street or off road. Look at TMI's web site to see dyno results.
When people see my 400's and ask about HP, they aren't impressed with a number like 375. When the watch 400 ft/lbs of torque at work, the are dumbfounded.
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The Beautiful Ohio River Valley
Home of Thunderstruck Racing
4" stroke at 6000 rpm you have pistons speeds of 4000 fps. theoretically with that speed you are going to rip the bottom of the pistons off unless they are forged.
just something else to think about.
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Engine-410ci (9.8:1), CHI heads, 219/222 Roller Camshaft, Ceramic Fenderwell Headers, Pro-Systems Carb, Edelbrock Intake, Super Sucker, Comp Cams Stainless Rockers.
Driveline-T18 4 speed, NP205, Dana 60 Front, 14 Bolt rear & 5.13 gears are in the Future.
Tires-39.5x18 Boggers
they can rev, the thing is they work way better as torquers which could get the job done even better than a revver, yeah 5500 is a good goal here. Since im running mine in a mustang i used a hotter cam (exteme energy 270-280) with a nice duration and 10:1 compresion with stock heads. To make it rev past 6k you will need better flowing heads, 2vs are good for up to 5k maybe 5500 on a 400. My cam has a range of power between 1000 and 5500, Im getting the nice torque and 400hp @5000, maybe you could use something similar...
How do you like that 270-280 cam? 5K to 5500 is fine with me. Just didn't want to have it fade away at 4K.
The reason people stay away from very high revs is because it's not what the engine was designed to do. The large rotating assembly required for the 4" stroke produces substantial internal forces at high rpm and reduces engine life.
400 lovers focus on torque. Bottom end and mid-range is more impressive than top end on the street or off road. Look at TMI's web site to see dyno results.
When people see my 400's and ask about HP, they aren't impressed with a number like 375. When the watch 400 ft/lbs of torque at work, the are dumbfounded.
That makes sense for the applications most of these are used in. I'm not convinced that 4" of stroke is that much to worry about. The Cadillac engines that I normally play with were built for about the same purpose as the 400's. Max torque down low. With a decent cam, port work etc. they spin to 5500 and survive fine even with cast rods and lose very little ,if any, low end torque.
Think it will get about the same combo as most here have found to work with just a little more cam and see what happens
How do you like that 270-280 cam? 5K to 5500 is fine with me. Just didn't want to have it fade away at 4K.
Amazing just as you mentioned, it has great mid range and very cool low end. Im even impressed with my 9" rear with 2.75 gears and a locker, im excited to se ewhat happens with 3.50 gears....
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"Drive it like you stole it..."
I wouldn't go much past the XE262 or a 265DEH. Much more would start soggying up the bottom end where this engine has its most potential.
Probably the most significant thing you could do would be a set of SMALL tube, FULL length headers if you can find them for the engine and chassis. They will help the bottom a LOT and add torque through the entire rev range.
I would NOT build this as a high revving engine. The cast pistons at high piston speed along with the high rotating mass would NOT be conducive to long engine life.
My $0.02,
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Doc
ASE Master
1964 Galaxie 500 Fastback
1978 F150 Shortbed 4X4 that I bought new.
2000 F150 RC, Flareside, 4.6, 5 speed 4X4
2006 Mustang GT, 3 valve 4.6, 5 speed manual
Other vehicles of blashemous make other than Ford
I wouldn't go much past the XE262 or a 265DEH. Much more would start soggying up the bottom end where this engine has its most potential.
Probably the most significant thing you could do would be a set of SMALL tube, FULL length headers if you can find them for the engine and chassis. They will help the bottom a LOT and add torque through the entire rev range.
I would NOT build this as a high revving engine. The cast pistons at high piston speed along with the high rotating mass would NOT be conducive to long engine life.
My $0.02,
I'm with Doc.
I'll go $0.03.
Consider asking Comp Cams. I sent them all of the data on "The Buggy", including a picture which they asked for. They gave me a cam recommendation.
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The Beautiful Ohio River Valley
Home of Thunderstruck Racing
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