429?
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Ah, but no, at least in the case of the manifolds. The 4x4 frame is different than the 2WD frame, and the manifolds for a 460 truck would not clear the frame. That was the problem. Whoever had put the 429 in the truck apparently had found one that worked, but it turned out it was only used in some mid 70's Mercury or something, which made it a real pain to find them when I needed more.
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The reason is the amount of torque it produces, and the rpm at which it produces it. The 400 is a better truck motor than a 429. There isn't enough cubes between the two to justify using the bigger 429. A stock detuned 400 produce more torque than a 429 does. Now here are the stock stats for a 429 208hp@ 4400 326tq@ 2800. Now a 400 with its detuning made 169hp, but more tq than a 429. Now just uping the compression to 9.0 or better, and installing a holley 500 and headers will produce 265hp and 419lbs of tq. A pretty good start for a truck motor if you ask me, and with a 4 barrel intake and 600 carb, it goes to over 300 hp and 429lbs of tq. So with a few aftermarket parts, a 400 ford can make plenty of power, and it was in the design that it may be used to move 2 ton trucks and all their weight. It was in the design of this motor, that ford wanted to phase out the FE motor in trucks, while they just flat out replaced the car motors with the 400 early. Sure you allready knewn this though. LOL
What are you smoking ???
You are comparing apples and oranges here .
If your going to use the longer stroke 400 modified for torque then use the longer stroke 460 and not the short stroke 429.
Stroke builds your torque numbers . The short stroke 429 has a large bore to stroke ratio closer the 351M .
Ford didn't phase out the FE's for the 351/400 modified (335 series) motors but used the 460 (385 series) .
Don't get me wrong , the modifieds can be some strong motors but the 460 is hands down the stronger of the two .
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I stand corrected . I have lots of experience with the 2wds and cars but little with the 4x4's
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Utah
I have a question for you guy's
As I stated earlier in the post, I have a 1977 Ford F150 4x4 with a 400 I recently rebuilt. I decked the block a little to help build compression, I put a Comp Cam in it 255 int./263 exh. installed an Edelbrock 4 barrel manifold and a Carter AFB carb. I noticed a substantial increase in power, but would like more. What would be my next option to gain more horse's without breaking the bank.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Columbia Falls, Montana
headers. Not sure what that comp cam is, but hopefully it allowed you to bring the timing back to straight up. The stock cam was retarded 4* from the factory for emissions. A 1971 400 with 9 to 1 compression, and straight up timing and cast manifolds made 260hp and 400tq. Not bad considering it still has the same cam and heads and doesn't have headers. As for smoking something, I don't. It cost money to get a 460 or 429, then you need engine mounts, and special stuff to make it fit "right". Which all costs money, and you can build a 400 that will do what you need, and it will last 200,000 miles. I am just saying build what you got and your allready ahead on the money issue. Here is a read for you about the 400, to get a real good amount of power for a truck. Engine Testing With A Holley 750 Street HP Carburetor - Classic Trucks Magazine
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Waterloo IL
The reason is the amount of torque it produces, and the rpm at which it produces it. The 400 is a better truck motor than a 429. There isn't enough cubes between the two to justify using the bigger 429. A stock detuned 400 produce more torque than a 429 does. Now here are the stock stats for a 429 208hp@ 4400 326tq@ 2800. Now a 400 with its detuning made 169hp, but more tq than a 429. Now just uping the compression to 9.0 or better, and installing a holley 500 and headers will produce 265hp and 419lbs of tq. A pretty good start for a truck motor if you ask me, and with a 4 barrel intake and 600 carb, it goes to over 300 hp and 429lbs of tq. So with a few aftermarket parts, a 400 ford can make plenty of power, and it was in the design that it may be used to move 2 ton trucks and all their weight. It was in the design of this motor, that ford wanted to phase out the FE motor in trucks, while they just flat out replaced the car motors with the 400 early. Sure you allready knewn this though. LOL
My uncle has a 1971 400 (pre-smog) in a 1977.5 F-250 part time 4 speed. This engine came from a 1971 LTD that my uncles, uncle bought new or close to it.
So obviously the drivetrain in 4-speed part time truck is going to use less power than the full time auto. I've put a lot of miles on both trucks and the 429 feels WAY better to me than the 400. I'm talking no comparison here. If anyone drove both trucks it would be completely obvious. I can't hardly imagine if the 429 was also in a part time stick and then compare the two.
Also Ranger429 on this board has a 429 in one truck and a 400 in another. He says the 429 has more torque than the 400, if I remember right.
I've posted on this topic time and time again. It really just comes down to opinion. If the 400 works for you then thats great, it's just not for me. 429 all the way.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Columbia Falls, Montana
Reason the 429 feels better, is probubly because of hp. You need to tow with both, to feel the tq differance. HP get stuff somewhere fast, but tq moves weight. My thing is more that he has a good motor to start with, and by the time you add the cost of the swap onto what you could do with the 400, I say your behind. I like all ford engines, but just saying he could save his money for the 400 and have a better engine.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Utah
Thanks Guys
Thanks for taking the time to help me understand the pros and cons of this issue guys, You have been great help.
Thanks
Thanks
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From: Big Sky Country
For what it is worth I have ran a pre 72 (high compression) 429 in two of the p/u that i have built. One in a 77 f150 and another in a 76 f350, both 4x4s . yes the 429 has a little more car like attitude but if you have a 429 with 68 heads. I WOULD NOT SCRAP IT TO BUILD A 400. You should be running a 10.5:1 or better compression engine. it will require premmium fuel. With the proper selection of components and you will not be disapointed. You have a rock solid platform just do your homework. There is no replacement for displacement!
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: chana,il
when i put the 460 in my 78f-250 4x4 in1992 i used a set of manifolds from a ford straight truck i think it was a louisville series, late 70's with a 385 series truck motor. the manifolds were a bolt on in my pickup. they cleared the frame with no modification (passenger side too) and they have 2.5 in.outlets. nice for building custom exhaust.