Input on my 400 buildup
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Input on my 400 buildup
I have searched around and have came up with what I think will be a pretty good 400 for my tow vehicle. Read thru and offer any suggestions if you see where I can improve it.
77 400 block .020 over, stock crank .010 and .010, Edelbrock performer non egr intake, Ertel flat top pistons, crane 268 x-treme custom grind cam, deck block .050, mill heads .030, port/polish heads, multi angle valve job, roller fulcrum rockers, custom length push rods, full length headers, edelbrock 750 carb, and full MSD ignition.
This is going in a 77 F150 with a 4 speed trans and a 3.50 geared rear, I use it to pull my race car trailer that weighs about 4,200 lbs loaded. What do you think?
77 400 block .020 over, stock crank .010 and .010, Edelbrock performer non egr intake, Ertel flat top pistons, crane 268 x-treme custom grind cam, deck block .050, mill heads .030, port/polish heads, multi angle valve job, roller fulcrum rockers, custom length push rods, full length headers, edelbrock 750 carb, and full MSD ignition.
This is going in a 77 F150 with a 4 speed trans and a 3.50 geared rear, I use it to pull my race car trailer that weighs about 4,200 lbs loaded. What do you think?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,632
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From: Albuquerque
Input on my 400 buildup
Sounds pretty good to me if compression is around 9:1. I would be carefull about taking a lot of material off the block and heads. Your manifold may not seal unless you compensate by milling the ends of the manifold or head.
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Input on my 400 buildup
The machine shop said that they would mill the intake to allow the ports to match up. I'm hoping the compression will be around 9.5 to 1 or a little higher. They also told me that there wouldn't be any problem taking that much off the block and that it would actually help prevent some detonation by decreasing the "slack" area betweet the top of the piston and the top of the block. Aren't the 400 blocks known for excessive deck height?
One other question. The cam has .524/.529 lift. With that lift, flat top pistons, decked block and milled heads, is there any chance that I may have piston to valve interferance?
One other question. The cam has .524/.529 lift. With that lift, flat top pistons, decked block and milled heads, is there any chance that I may have piston to valve interferance?
Last edited by parsons2003; Apr 22, 2003 at 10:54 AM.
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From: Porterfield
Input on my 400 buildup
When You install the cam you'll have to index it and measure the valve to piston clearances...do this without the head gaskets and try to get at least .100 clearance.. then with the head gaskets you'll know you be safe...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,812
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From: Central Ohio
Input on my 400 buildup
Just thought I would throw another idea out on the table. This is just what I read in another post here. Yeah the 400 has excessive deck hieght but another way to solve that problem instead of milling deck, heads, and intake manifold would be to use 351C pistons (wich gives you alot more options for compression, and cast / forged etc.). As you probably know you have to bush the rods to accomodate the C's smaller pin but when you do this you can offset it slightly higher to raise the piston to the proper level. I dont know if anyone has tried this yet but I would like to see it done so I can decide if I might do it. If its difficult to picture what I am talking about here is an example: You put a solid piece of bronze in the rod end. Then you drill the correct size hole for the cleveland pin, but instead of centering the hole you just drill it further toward the top of the rod. I was told this was no big deal for a machine shop to do?
In any case I say your buildup sounds pretty stout! I am still planning my buildup but i got body work and suspension work to do and now with my rear spring problems I might have to re-order my priority list
In any case I say your buildup sounds pretty stout! I am still planning my buildup but i got body work and suspension work to do and now with my rear spring problems I might have to re-order my priority list
Last edited by 78bigbronco; Apr 22, 2003 at 01:51 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,632
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From: Albuquerque
Input on my 400 buildup
The negative piston top to deck height clearance is definitely a problem area in terms of preignition. By the time you get a flat top close to the deck you have too much compression. I solved the problem by using custon dished pistons. That got the edge of the piston up higher and leaves the dish for volume. Around $400.
I doubt you'll have valve clearance problems (my lift is a bit higher) but I always check it.
I doubt you'll have valve clearance problems (my lift is a bit higher) but I always check it.
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Input on my 400 buildup
Thanks for all of the great input guys. What do you think about the cam I am going to use? Do you consider it too big to allow me to maintain large low end torque numbers?
Comp custom grind
duration at .050 224int/230exh Lift .524int/.530exh.
This will be ground on the "fast ramp" X-treme engergy lobes.
For comparison's sake, here is the specs for the popular 265DEH
duration at .050 211int/223exh Lift .484int/.510exh.
Comp custom grind
duration at .050 224int/230exh Lift .524int/.530exh.
This will be ground on the "fast ramp" X-treme engergy lobes.
For comparison's sake, here is the specs for the popular 265DEH
duration at .050 211int/223exh Lift .484int/.510exh.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
Input on my 400 buildup
Is that cam the comp cams extreme energy? You said at first Crane. if its the comp cams its supposed to have awsome flat torque curve but I think its rated at 2,000 or 2,500 and up? I was considering the extreme-energy cam but I wanted to know first how much off - idle torque its gonna have. So if no one else has used this cam yet then I guess your gonna be the guinnee pig (sp?). Plus it was kinda pricey when I looked into it... I was pretty much gonna go with the summit brand cam that matched the edelbrock performer+ specs for like $85. Keep us posted on your progress.
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Input on my 400 buildup
yep, mistake on my part, I meant Comp, I guess what I think and what I type are sometimes two differnt things. I wish someone would desktop dyno that cam and see how the torque curve looks on it. The engine should be together and installed within the next 3 weeks, so I guess I'll know how it does then.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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Input on my 400 buildup
My recommendations.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/...ID12/1302.html
Building tips by Speedomotive
http://www.speedomotive.com/Building%20Tips.htm
Look for an earlier set of heads that don't have the exhaust restrictions.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/...ID12/1302.html
Building tips by Speedomotive
http://www.speedomotive.com/Building%20Tips.htm
Look for an earlier set of heads that don't have the exhaust restrictions.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 843
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From: USA
Input on my 400 buildup
Sounds like a stout build that will produce plenty of torque. My only concern is you intended use for the truck. I pulled a 24' travel trailer all over Utah and the inter-mountain west with my 77 F-150 and had a ball. Recently, during part of my restoration process I pulled the rear end apart and found galling of both the pinion and spool bearings and galling of the pinion stub shaft. I also found evidence of bearing overhead in the form of discolorazation of the spool bearings. Further investagation of the axle bearings proved that weight on the rear of the truck was not the problem as they were in perfect condition. The problem was the weight of what I was pulling. I love my little 1/2 ton truck but if I'm going back to towing something with a lot of weight it will be with an F-250 or better. Oh yea, I changed my fluids on a yearly basis when I was towing. Just food for thought.
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From: Porterfield
Input on my 400 buildup
OK I desk top dyno'd it for you .. here's the numbers
356 H.p. @ 4500 449 # Tq. @ 3500
But this build will have tons of Tq. right from the get go..
445 @ 2000 438 @ 2500 446 @ 3000 449 @ 3500 439 @ 4000 415 @ 4500
Looks good to me ...
ShaZam
356 H.p. @ 4500 449 # Tq. @ 3500
But this build will have tons of Tq. right from the get go..
445 @ 2000 438 @ 2500 446 @ 3000 449 @ 3500 439 @ 4000 415 @ 4500
Looks good to me ...
ShaZam