Need help converting a 400M.
Need help converting a 400M.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
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From: wyoming
400 in a 1970 crewcab 4wd
i'm currently doing a 400 cobrajet also. engine is built but getting the crew cleaned up and ready. Was looking at www.autofab.com offroad racing trucks. john doesn't build a exact mount but if thinking possibly doing a custom build this is a good place to start. check them out. good luck and talk soon.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Before you do that, what's in there now? A stock 400 is best at the end of an anchor chain.
Just checking--if you have an FE in there now, the swap to a stock 400 is a serious exercise in flailing.....
Just checking--if you have an FE in there now, the swap to a stock 400 is a serious exercise in flailing.....
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I had a 70 F100 that had a 400 in it. It moved decently.
Under the skin, the front frame is the same as a 73-79 so engine swaps between all the years of 67-79 are pretty straightforward as long as you grab the perches off the donor truck.
As far as the 400, it's really easy to wake one up. An Edelbrock intake, 351c cam, slightly advanced cam timing and headers will find you nearly 100hp. A set of 4V 351c heads with open chambers will really make it come to life, the closed chamber heads are a bit too much compression unless you are racing.
Under the skin, the front frame is the same as a 73-79 so engine swaps between all the years of 67-79 are pretty straightforward as long as you grab the perches off the donor truck.
As far as the 400, it's really easy to wake one up. An Edelbrock intake, 351c cam, slightly advanced cam timing and headers will find you nearly 100hp. A set of 4V 351c heads with open chambers will really make it come to life, the closed chamber heads are a bit too much compression unless you are racing.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Yes, the 70 was a transplant. By the VIN the stock engine was a 240.
The 400 was stock as far as I could tell, it did have what looked to be Mustang 351c manifolds, but it had a 1.21 2100 2BBL and iron intake.
The 400 was stock as far as I could tell, it did have what looked to be Mustang 351c manifolds, but it had a 1.21 2100 2BBL and iron intake.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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x2 on rebuilding the 360 into either a better 360 (such as it is...) or a 390. There are several "360 upgrade" threads going on in the FE forums.
That way, you money goes into the motor, not mounts, transmissions, linkages, accessory drives, exhaust, cooling and all the other little things that come up.
That way, you money goes into the motor, not mounts, transmissions, linkages, accessory drives, exhaust, cooling and all the other little things that come up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,724
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From: Butler, IN
Couldn't agree more and a built up 400 would feel equally at home there!
I like it when things bolt together as planned. There have been too many projects pushed out to rot or sold for scrap when owners get frustrated due to the amount of time required to hunt down the parts to finish. A good idea by 85e150six4mtod to help get to the finish line a little quicker!
x2 on rebuilding the 360 into either a better 360 (such as it is...) or a 390. There are several "360 upgrade" threads going on in the FE forums.
That way, you money goes into the motor, not mounts, transmissions, linkages, accessory drives, exhaust, cooling and all the other little things that come up.
That way, you money goes into the motor, not mounts, transmissions, linkages, accessory drives, exhaust, cooling and all the other little things that come up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
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From: wyoming
both engines good!
if going with 400 you will be happy. couple of mods and that engine will wake up big time. if dealing with the FE you are keeping it simple on parts and mods and they run stout also. either way you'll end up with a good truck. currently doing a 400 in a f-250 1970 4wd and this truck will be a stout setup with a zf tranny behind it, overdrive manual tranny. not sure on which trannys you can put behind a FE with overdrive? like the 4speeds but wanting Overdrive to help a little on fuel mileage. good luck and talk soon.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
I have info on using a hydraulic clutch setup in a 67-72 truck if you are going that route. On Friday or Saturday I'll be able to give full dimensions for mounting it if you'd like. The mounting is straightforward.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
I've had several 351Ms, a few 400Ms and a bunch of FEs. The 360 is a good torque engine that could stand some improvement. There are lots of parts and help available for any FE. I suggest that you sell the 400M to someone that needs it and do a few mods to the FE or even pick up a FE powered Ford or Mercury sedan and take that engine for your truck. You should be able to find a 390 or a 410 engine and with a lot of luck maybe even a 428. Good luck with your project.