ford 400 question

gilllawn · #1 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 07:02 PM

I had an exhaust valve break on me so the head is toast. The cylinder wall has a small hairline crack and an 1/8th inch gouge. I was thinking of having the shop install a sleeve but someone told me the cylinder walls were to thin. Any body have any experience with this???? I'm having a lot of problems finding an alternate 400 motor.

cornfedp · #2 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 08:56 PM

I am sure someone will chime in with a better answer, but here's mine. I always thought when walls got to thin you had to put sleeves in them.

hollenjoe · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 09:42 PM

yeah thats the idea, sleeves on a thin cylinder, also you probably had the infamouse 2 piece exuast valves..... its kinda myth but hell....

husker · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:07 PM

Shoot, I have two 400 blocks in the garage that I need to get rid of. I didn't think 400's were that hard to find. You mean I have a secret gold mine?

ubereal2 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:10 PM

Yep, you have something there. If you were looking for another 400 it's a monster. I found that out just a few month's ago, was even worse trying to get a stock 2bbl motorcraft carb to rebuild. Paid $50 and drove 140/150 miles round trip....... This stuff is getting scarce............Now I have two myself.
Unk Bob

mark a. · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 07:48 PM

I throw all of them in the junk. You can't give them away in my area.

landon460 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 12:43 PM

There are probably 500 351m/400 motors within a 50 mile radius from where I live.

husker · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 01:54 PM

Mark and Landon, I was kidding about the gold mine. There are probably another few hundred within 50 miles of where I live too with all the old farm pickups etc. around.

gilllawn · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 04:52 PM

Well you guys are lucky I guess. Thanks for the input less all of your sarcasm. I placed the thread for help and assistance and not to be patronized.

husker · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 10:09 PM

Gillawn, where are you located? There are probably quite a few 400's with a decent block if you do a little searching. Shoot, if you were close to me I'd let you haul one away for free to save trying to get rid of it.

Some folks also have used the crank out of 400's to stroke 351 windsors.

73XAFalcon · #11 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilllawn

Well you guys are lucky I guess. Thanks for the input less all of your sarcasm. I placed the thread for help and assistance and not to be patronized.

gilllawn,

The 400 can be sleeved with no problems. 351M/400 was cast with the same technology and QC as any other Ford engine made in the US in the 1970-80's. The cylinder walls are no thinner than a 302/351W of that same era. Too many Chevy-loyal machine shops start running their mouths instead running their machines and they repeat one old lie after the next because they are too lazy to educate themselves.

mustang81 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 10:47 AM

I sleeve 3 cylinders on my 400 with no problem. The machine shop just had to deck my block because the sleeve were too long and they bore to 30 over after.