400 Big Block Right???
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Montrose
400 Big Block Right???
Am I the only one with this issue?? Got a 400 big block in that 79 Bronco huh
I'm selling one on CL now, how the hell do you deal with people who are sure these are BBs because of the trans pattern?
One of the guys in my 4x4 club back in Texas whos family owned a wrecking yard "400 big block huh" WTF??
I just told this guy on the phone. call it what you want but a 351 Cleveland valve cover will bolt on
I'm selling one on CL now, how the hell do you deal with people who are sure these are BBs because of the trans pattern? One of the guys in my 4x4 club back in Texas whos family owned a wrecking yard "400 big block huh" WTF??
I just told this guy on the phone. call it what you want but a 351 Cleveland valve cover will bolt on
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia
you are correct. Ford does it differently to chevvies that have big and small blocks. In reality this has transferred over to fords and is actually relevant. The 400 is in the 335 series family and includes the 302 aussie, 351C, 351m and 400 even though the 351m-400 has a taller deck. Just remember that there is a small percentage of the 400's that have a "small block" pattern. The "big blocks" are the 385 series i.e. 429-460
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Montrose
I am not famaliar with any 351M/400 with the smaller trans pattern, are these 70's cars? If so which? LTD? Thanks
you are correct. Ford does it differently to chevvies that have big and small blocks. In reality this has transferred over to fords and is actually relevant. The 400 is in the 335 series family and includes the 302 aussie, 351C, 351m and 400 even though the 351m-400 has a taller deck. Just remember that there is a small percentage of the 400's that have a "small block" pattern. The "big blocks" are the 385 series i.e. 429-460
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia
I am not quite sure. I think they were in cars not trucks, but these are the same availibility as unicorn excrement, so I'm not 100% sure. Pretty desireable for the car brigade as they take the 4-speed o/d Auto trans without PITN adapters etc. Usually fitted with FMX's but I will stand corrected on that if some-one knows better as it is really only what I have read on this site and others.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Montrose
I see, waiting to hear more
I am not quite sure. I think they were in cars not trucks, but these are the same availibility as unicorn excrement, so I'm not 100% sure. Pretty desireable for the car brigade as they take the 4-speed o/d Auto trans without PITN adapters etc. Usually fitted with FMX's but I will stand corrected on that if some-one knows better as it is really only what I have read on this site and others.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 153
I had one of those small bolt pattern 351M's. Tryed to sell it, then tryed to give it away. It ended up in the scrap some years ago. Now I kind of wish I would have kept it, but it more than likely would be still sitting there.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: Sin City, USA
FYI, NHRA classifies the 351M/400 as a small block, so next time one of these a$$clowns starts running their mouth, drop that little bit of info on them.
Also, if the 400 is a big block then why do the main bearing interchange with a 351W? Why can you use a 351W distributor (granted you have to change the drive gear)? Why can you bolt 351C/M/400 heads onto a 289/302/351W?
As stated before, Ford never played the small block/big block name game.
The 400 was the engine that was offered with the small bellhousing pattern. It was offered for 1973 in full-size cars with a FMX transmission. That is why you will hear it called a 400FMX block. Here is a picture of my 400FMX:
Also, if the 400 is a big block then why do the main bearing interchange with a 351W? Why can you use a 351W distributor (granted you have to change the drive gear)? Why can you bolt 351C/M/400 heads onto a 289/302/351W?
As stated before, Ford never played the small block/big block name game.
The 400 was the engine that was offered with the small bellhousing pattern. It was offered for 1973 in full-size cars with a FMX transmission. That is why you will hear it called a 400FMX block. Here is a picture of my 400FMX:
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Montrose
"NHRA classifies the 351M/400 as a small block, so next time one of these a$$clowns starts running their mouth, drop that little bit of info on them.
That's what I needed
That's what I needed
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: Sin City, USA
As for the FE/351C mains, some guys use the FE thrust bearing in their 351C builds when they need a slightly thicker thrust bearing.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia
Well to also be a pain the 429-460 distributors fit the clevelands also. As before ford classified their engines in series classification not size. Maybe because they had so many over the years. Chevs were made bigger endlessly over the years so big and small block (with only a few exceptions like the 400 as it could be either) covered it pretty adequately. I've also seen arguments start over the FE's being called big blocks on this forum even though they are a serious lump of iron.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
No, it's a logical question to ask because not only do the mains interchange but you can also run a 351W stroker crank in a 400. I run a 351W 4" crank in my motor and the 434ci stroker kits Tim Meyer sells are built around a 4.25" stroker crank for a 351W. How many "big blocks" share basic crank dimensions with a "small block"? There are plenty of holes you can poke in the chebbie clown arguments.
As for the FE/351C mains, some guys use the FE thrust bearing in their 351C builds when they need a slightly thicker thrust bearing.
As for the FE/351C mains, some guys use the FE thrust bearing in their 351C builds when they need a slightly thicker thrust bearing.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Well to also be a pain the 429-460 distributors fit the clevelands also. As before ford classified their engines in series classification not size. Maybe because they had so many over the years. Chevs were made bigger endlessly over the years so big and small block (with only a few exceptions like the 400 as it could be either) covered it pretty adequately. I've also seen arguments start over the FE's being called big blocks on this forum even though they are a serious lump of iron.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: Sin City, USA
Yep, I got your point but I don't know a single chebbie guy that knows jack squat about a FE so using the 351W to 400 bearing comparo will stump them. In my earlier post I made mention that a 351W dizzy will work in a 400 if you change the drive gear so that too is a point that you can stump the car show know-it-alls with--and trust me, I've never met any that knew the 335 and 385 hared a dizzy! I've had to use all these points and I've had plenty of guys stand around my car for hours and tell me that I was wrong and that a 400 is a big block. At one cruise night I had to get a cop to tell a guy to leave because he was making such an *** of himself.