Advice on 400 build
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 240
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From: Appleton, WI
Advice on 400 build
I'm starting to plan a 400 build for my 1978 F-250 4x4. It is a stick with 35" tires and 4.10 gears. There is a 351M in it that I rebuilt 7 years ago, 30,000 miles. This spring it wore two lobes off cam and ground those two lifters down aways.
I'm looking for good torque and reliability, Will be driven few times a week, Offroading and towing a car hauler from time to time. Not looking for a High RPM machine
My plans so far are:
9.3 to 1 TMI pistons
400 crank
ARP rod bolts
Stock connecting rods
Stock cylinder heads, Had valve job and crane vavle springs installed from previous build, cam had .508 lift.
Performer 400 intake
4160 600 holley, or 4150 750 holley carb
Straight up timing set
Stock ignition
Hydraulic roller cam
And my big question, which cam?
Has any body had sucess with Comp Cams cam and lifter Retro fit kits.
or Crane's equivilent or anything else that has worked. Would like to keep stock rockers, if possible. Can I use a roller cam and lifters with stock rockers and the right length pushrods? was thinking Comp cams #32-421-8. Its 270 duration .556 lift. Or Comp cams 32-411-8 which is 260 duration and .510 lift
Any input is welcome.
I'm looking for good torque and reliability, Will be driven few times a week, Offroading and towing a car hauler from time to time. Not looking for a High RPM machine
My plans so far are:
9.3 to 1 TMI pistons
400 crank
ARP rod bolts
Stock connecting rods
Stock cylinder heads, Had valve job and crane vavle springs installed from previous build, cam had .508 lift.
Performer 400 intake
4160 600 holley, or 4150 750 holley carb
Straight up timing set
Stock ignition
Hydraulic roller cam
And my big question, which cam?
Has any body had sucess with Comp Cams cam and lifter Retro fit kits.
or Crane's equivilent or anything else that has worked. Would like to keep stock rockers, if possible. Can I use a roller cam and lifters with stock rockers and the right length pushrods? was thinking Comp cams #32-421-8. Its 270 duration .556 lift. Or Comp cams 32-411-8 which is 260 duration and .510 lift
Any input is welcome.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
Looks like a good combo and will lead to a powerful engine ...
Well, the comp 270 #32-421-8 seems a bit more for higher revs, a lot of lift,
disharmonize with your crane springs. Better go with the comp 260. Do you have the 2v open chamber manifolds, too ?
I walked with a comp 265deh ´cause I wanted low and mid range grunt and I´m happy with it. It´s a dual profile with 510in/526ex lift and from what I´ve learned here it´s better for the 2v manifold, it needs some kick on the exhaust side.
The comp 255deh is a bit better on the low end side, also the comp XE262 has been discussed here before in combo with a 750cfm carb. From my view a 600 cfm will do fine.
Think about using headers, too, this helps your engine breathe.
I still have the stock rockers but in next spring I will change to adjustable magnum rockers. Due to a different cam and lifters and machining the geometrie has changed some, my engine does some tickling noise .....
Good luck with your build and keep us in touch with your efforts.
Well, the comp 270 #32-421-8 seems a bit more for higher revs, a lot of lift,
disharmonize with your crane springs. Better go with the comp 260. Do you have the 2v open chamber manifolds, too ?
I walked with a comp 265deh ´cause I wanted low and mid range grunt and I´m happy with it. It´s a dual profile with 510in/526ex lift and from what I´ve learned here it´s better for the 2v manifold, it needs some kick on the exhaust side.
The comp 255deh is a bit better on the low end side, also the comp XE262 has been discussed here before in combo with a 750cfm carb. From my view a 600 cfm will do fine.
Think about using headers, too, this helps your engine breathe.
I still have the stock rockers but in next spring I will change to adjustable magnum rockers. Due to a different cam and lifters and machining the geometrie has changed some, my engine does some tickling noise .....
Good luck with your build and keep us in touch with your efforts.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
CAM
piperig78...... I'm building the same engine as you, same every thing.
The Cam I'm using though is from Comp Cams it's a custom grind hydraulic roller -duration...@.050"-218/224 Lift .555/.555 @ .050 I'm also using the Crane Cams FULL roller rockers and matching springs, guide plates, screw in studs etc. the heads were machined for the springs and guide plates and the "smog" bumps in the exhaust ports have been removed. I taked to a Comp Cams tech rep her name was Autum I believe and this is what she told me to use. My machinist said this is a good set up and so did Tim Meyer. BTW my truck is a 77 f-150 2wd C6
The Cam I'm using though is from Comp Cams it's a custom grind hydraulic roller -duration...@.050"-218/224 Lift .555/.555 @ .050 I'm also using the Crane Cams FULL roller rockers and matching springs, guide plates, screw in studs etc. the heads were machined for the springs and guide plates and the "smog" bumps in the exhaust ports have been removed. I taked to a Comp Cams tech rep her name was Autum I believe and this is what she told me to use. My machinist said this is a good set up and so did Tim Meyer. BTW my truck is a 77 f-150 2wd C6
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton, WI
Yes they are stock 1978 2v heads, previous rebuild included valves, Keepers, and retainers and 3 angle valve job. Also yes i do have long tube headers for it, and 2.5 inch dual exhaust.
Senior User
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From: TX
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
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From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
400 build cost
SoCalExile, cost varies on what you want from your truck. I would suggest that you get in contact with Tim Meyer Precision Machining Inc. in Minnesota and tell him what you want and he will guide you to the right parts and price. He IS the 351/400 guru. I've bought and ordered parts from him and had them sent up here to Canada. He's very reliable and is good at what he does.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton, WI
well went to machine shop today they thought it should be a good setup. gonna try stock rockers if the geometry is right I'm gonna use them otherwise i'll get roller rockers if needed.
I have two sets of heads other than the stock ones mentioned above the casting # are D3AE-G2B history unknown, came with a different truck
and D5AE-A2A off of a buddys 400.
Are either of these better than what stock 78 heads are. didn't pull valve cover to get that Casting # yet.
I have two sets of heads other than the stock ones mentioned above the casting # are D3AE-G2B history unknown, came with a different truck
and D5AE-A2A off of a buddys 400.
Are either of these better than what stock 78 heads are. didn't pull valve cover to get that Casting # yet.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Southern NM
X2 on blending the bowls and the exhaust ports.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton, WI
head casting #'s
well D3AE-G2B is a 71 to 74 400 head 78.4 chambers with 2.04/1.66 valves. the D5AE-A2A are the same chamber size and valves with this info to: Exhaust port constricted by addition of coolant passage around valve guide. May have Thermactor injection in exhaust ports. will have to get heads side by side to compare.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton, WI
The more I look for anwsers the more questions I come up with. Still up in the air on cylinder heads all the sets i have have thermactor humps but aren't opened up. anonther website says both heads are 74.5 chambers. D5AE heads had added coolant passages. Would hurt exhaust porting, but does it help with cooling?
Also has anyone with TMI pistons run there engine on 87 octane? Looking at other ways to raise compression to the 8.5 to 9.3 range, decking block. or cylinder heads, and using stock pistons? I don't Know, sounds easiest to just use TMI pistons but want to get this right before i spend my money.
Also has anyone with TMI pistons run there engine on 87 octane? Looking at other ways to raise compression to the 8.5 to 9.3 range, decking block. or cylinder heads, and using stock pistons? I don't Know, sounds easiest to just use TMI pistons but want to get this right before i spend my money.
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Senior User
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From: Appleton, WI
This is what Bubba F-250 website says for heads
D3AE-G2B, 1973-1974,
'73 mid-year change.
AIR passages drilled.
75.6cc
D5AE-A2A, 1977-1982 351M/400 trucks
More restrictive exhaust ports with "pot belly" valve boss.
74.5cc
Should I take Crane valve train of the '75 heads and put on '73 heads. either one i use I'm gonna get rid of the thermactor hump.
haven't got them side by side yet only about 4 feet from each other.( engine in storage unit other heads were on tail gate ) the exhaust ports look the same but thermactor hump bigger in D5AE but if i'm grinding them out does it matter?
D3AE-G2B, 1973-1974,
'73 mid-year change.
AIR passages drilled.
75.6cc
D5AE-A2A, 1977-1982 351M/400 trucks
More restrictive exhaust ports with "pot belly" valve boss.
74.5cc
Should I take Crane valve train of the '75 heads and put on '73 heads. either one i use I'm gonna get rid of the thermactor hump.
haven't got them side by side yet only about 4 feet from each other.( engine in storage unit other heads were on tail gate ) the exhaust ports look the same but thermactor hump bigger in D5AE but if i'm grinding them out does it matter?