Whats the verdict? Someone swapped a 400 into my 76 F250 years ago. Now I have this truck, and the 400, while still running smooth, is due for a rebuild.

Should I bother, or should I go find a 390, like the truck originally had....

Pro vs. Cons, anyone?

 

You'll have to swap the tranny too, FE has a unique bellhousing pattern, something to think about.

Barry

 

...moving forward from that, does an adapter exist that might allow an AOD <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">390 </a>combo?

 

The <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">390 </a>puts out a lot of torque. You want a good strong tranny behind it. My advice would be to pick up a good C6.
Or just rebuild the 400.

 

It's not just the belhousing that is different. What about all the mounts for the alternator powersteering motormounts ect. There is nothing wrong with the 400 engine and someone went to alot of trouble in the change over ( A friend of mine did the <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">390 </a>to 400 change over one time and said that he would never do it again). Unless you have to have it all originall but without the original engine what's the point.

 

Yes, I understand the amount of work involved, just curious of how the two engine's stacked up power-wise, in reliability, and if the differences would merit the labour intensive job.

 

When you start to compare the two engines I would look at other things than just power. The 400 should have Electronic ignition, probably a 4bl intake how's the carb, the 400 probably has hardened exhaust seats or if not then you could probably find a set of heads with them. The 400 is probably eisier to find parts for not that finding parts for a <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">390 </a>is impossible just take a while. I would say unless you are dead set on having a <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">390 </a>engine I would stay with the 400. Changing anything over is very expensive and time consuming.

 

I'm sold.. no FE for me !

 

I agree with those who would stay with the 400. I like the <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">390 </a>a whole lot but there is just too much work involved. You can rebuild a 400 into a great engine. I wouldn't say it is easier to find parts for as the focus in that engine series for performance anyways seems to be centered around the 351 cleveland. This limits your intake options and such as the 400 has a taller deck but that is for a different forum with much more knowledge than I contain. It's up to you though.

 

I just changed a '78 F350 w/ a 400 to a '74 360.
Two words.
Butt Rash.
Like some of the others say, it involves a lot of little things, and unless you really want the FE..see the above two words.
Too bad we couldn't have gotten together sooner and swapped engines, this 360 I stuck in here pulls like a locomotive, ( )and the 400 would have saved me LOTS of time and headache!

Take care, and good luck ! !

 

Sorry Jason, was just trying to help. Some posters don't know about the bell.

Didn't know you already knew it all.

Barry

 

whoa.. i actually didnt know about the bell! I was just progressing to the next question that came to mind after reading that!

my knowledge in these areas is definitly spotty, considering my truck is two years older than me!

I appreciate all the knowledge I am able to pick up in this room, and thank all of you!

 

a <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">460 </a>would be a fairly simple swap

 

same bell pattern as the 351M/400 ??

 

No, the 385 series engines have a different bellhousing than the 351C/<a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">400m </a>engines. But finding a donor Lincoln with a 460/C6 shouldn't be that hard. Or just rebuild the <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">400m </a>you've got. Are you looking for the easiest way to get back on the road, or are you looking deeper than that?