Hello Ford Lovers..

I bought myself a brute of a truck in December, which I'm preparing to bring back into (very) active service. I jumped at the opportunity before Christmas, to purchase my "Heinz 57" of a Ford. Registered as a 76 F250 4x4, when I bought this truck, from a meticulous Ford man, (albeit one not concerned with originality); this truck has a 73-75 grill on it, and a 400 under the hood, which wasnt available for those trucks until 77.
So i dont know what year to call it!! I know i bought the sucker for $1200 canadian, and think it's worth every penny, if not more!

It was definitly a 76, as the transfer case is not married to the
transmission (NP435), as it would be if it were 77 or newer. It also has an interesting hydraulic ram steering setup, which dates it to pre 77 as well i believe. full floating Dana 60 in the rear, dana 44 up front. my next thing to determine what class that front axle is.. i know there was a "heavy" and a "light" front axle offered then.

My intentions are to convert this truck to an automatic, and to re-build the 400, eventually with a conversion to Propane in mind. (that would mean an RV cam for the beast to make up the power difference with Propane) I also need to lower it somewhat, as this sucker has 12 (no joke!) leafs on each side in the back, with a 4 inch spacer at the axle,. as well as 7 leafs up front on each side. The last owner actually had a double holmes towing set-up
on the back of the truck (which is a 133 inch wheelbase, regular length truck!), and stored the box for 20 years. When i got my hands on it, he had the box put back on the truck, and the body is excellent overall.
I'm a carpenter by trade, and i dont feel like hoisting building supplies over chest level to put them in the box!! out comes the 4 inch lift, at least. Maybe some leafs as well.

Beyond my pretty tale of my first 4x4, i do have a reason for posting.

I intend to haul out the 400 soon, and rebuild it. I know some tricks to make up for the oiling weaknesses of this class of engines, and very much look forward to ripping it apart. I will still need to use this truck while i take my time on a proper, yet economical rebuild of this engine, so I've decided I will install the 300 six I have kicking around in my garage.

While my long term goal sees me having this truck be an automatic, I'm thinking of putting an automatic in when i put the 300 under the hood. Now wanting to be as economical as possible, (i dont have a lot of money to work with) I'd like to use the AOD i pulled out of my 88 ltd, that was originally behind a 5.0L.

Can i pull this off? I know the AOD's are relatively weak, and I certainly dont have delusions of having it behind a 400. I'm just wondering if it's at all feasible to install this transmission behind a 300six. I'm mostly concerned with the kick down, as I hear that the accurate kick down setup for an AOD is crucial. Beyond opinions on my eccentric ideas and plans with 25+ year old gear, I'm wondering if anyone could offer any insight or ideas towards my working project. I'd like to eventually have a built up AOD that
could handle the tourque of a 400, but would settle for a C6 or maybe a different standard tranny down the road if i had to.

Any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated, my apologies for such a long post!!

 

Are you slightly or totallly crazy. No I'm joking. This sounds like an amazing undertaking. I hope you achieve everything you want. I would stay away from that AOD and get a C6 or C4 ( a little better but more rare). I don't think you really want to go with a 300 I6 it makes good power but has no top end. I'd stick with that 400 monster. It's a good motor and has a better top end with a comparable bottom end. I am not sure how many leafs the normal F250 suspension had so I can't help you there. I don't know about the heavy service axles but I doubt that you have them unless you have a camper package truck. Judging by your post you don't know any history on it. The transfer case isn't much unless it is a NP203 or NP 205.

 

Sounds like you bought an early 1977 F-250 4x4. Is the 351M/400 original? If so, it's an 1977.

 

The unit was certainly a 76 originally, the VIN code attests to that, as well as certain markers, like the "F250" badges on the fenders being of the type used before 1977. The 400M is out of an early 80's truck.

I wasnt overly confused on those points, just noting them as I found them amusing.. The truck's a "Heinz 57" of different parts.
I didnt realize the changes for 77 occurred in mid-year tho.. that always makes things fun!


As far as the 300 6 idea goes, I only want to use that in there for the time that I have the 400M out of it for a rebuild. I may also try to track down a good 390 for it, as that is what the truck was originally equipped with. I'll just use the 300 six i have kicking around while I figure that out.

Thanks for the input from both of you!

 

Craig, Just for giggles the 400 wasn't a designated M engine.

The M goes after the 351 as in 351M/400 not the 400.

Beefing up the 400

Bubba's 400 Build-up

 

If you convert to propane on the 400 you will want to invest in some flat top pistons to raise your compression. Check with the Cleveland engine forum for ideas on the 400.

 

thats an awesome resource. I am quite amazed with the amount of information available online for Ford lovers these days.

When i first started looking around in 1995, there wasnt near the vast amount of information available.. I should have looked again a little sooner!



I never considered raising compression.. i just figured a more aggressive cam was in order.. It's a good all around idea, as the 400's compression isnt very high to begin with.

jlc