400 upgrades?
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 49
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400 upgrades?
hi all , i have a 79 f350 4x4 c6 400, freeze/core plug started leaking . upon doing research all over this forum my two options are to try and remove the motor mount and squeeze myself in to replace or pull the engine?! i'm leaning toward pulling because both the front and rear mains are leaking , and assuming that one core plug started leaking the others may be soon to follow....when i bought the truck the PO said the 400 was rebuilt? to what extent? so i really don't know whats in there. now to my experience , i really have none as far as engines are concerned so my question is if i do pull , what else should i be looking for as far as problems and should i be upgrading anything while its out? no serious mudding or racing , just looking for a solid reliable engine , but a little more power is always nice!! thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia
doesnt sound rebuilt to me. Feeze/frost plugs are that cheap you would always do them. If the coolant is that corrosive that it would rot them out prematurely I wouldnt trust the block either. How well does it go now? You may have to wait and see when you crack it open as the skys the limit (without going stupid either). what carby is on it now, what manifold? do you want to run headers? You would always do the cam/lifters but you would pick them depending on your intake and heads. 4v-2V heads? This will determine pistons and potentially how much compression. Bit more info is required. You may be lucky and the P/O actually did put some good stuff in it but you will have to strip it down and find out.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
X2 on that Craig. It's much easier to replace the frost/freeze plugs and the front and rear seals with the engine out. With the pan off have a look at the timing chain, give it a wiggle, any slop /play in it replace it with a straight up one. Go to an AFTER MArket chain and gears. BUT FIRST.......have plan as to what you want the engine to doand STICK with that plan. As was stated you can get your self into a really long and big rebuild if you get carried away. Popa John
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
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good info
thanks guys , the truck has an edelbrock carb and intake . truck runs good , as far as power ? not a dog , but not "wow" either. I will post again when i actually get it out with more info and also pics. of certain things i may have questions about? !!! thanks again
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 2
From: wyoming
freeze plugs?
since freeze plugs are rusted. if you pull the engine out? get plugs out and used a waterhose to flush the engine coolant ports out best you can. pretty sure your lower ports have some dirt and many other mystery things sitting in btm of coolant ports. once you start cleaning you will find stuff and use a screwdriver to poke up into freezeplug hole to break loose anything you can. you will figure out the rest. once you start digging you will find stuff from the past 30yrs sitting in water ports. tim meyer is where you need to start on rebuild if you go that way. he has some nice pistons for normal 4wd application. easier to work all these problems once engine is out. talk soon.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 2
From: wyoming
simple engine upgrades.
400 ford ignition upgrade to msd 6a is a nice upgrade. new timing chain. headers from jeffs bronco graveyard a definet upgrade over factory mainifolds. i reccomend the headers outside the frame. easier on the starter and helps lowend torque. headers are headman headers and work well in your 4wd application. $220 bucks at bronco graveyard. catch you later.
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