400 build ideas.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
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From: Saskatchewan
400 build ideas.
Hi guys just starting to plan my build for my worn out 400 in my 79 f150. The truck is going to be used for hunting, towing, light off roading and some highway miles. My plan so far will include a stock rebuilt bottom end from a reliable engine shop (I deal with them a lot), I'm sure it will need .030 or more to clean it up, edelbrock performer intake, a 650cfm 4barrel carb (not sure what kind), and a comp cams kit for the camshaft, lifters, pushrods, timing set and valve springs. Also both exaust manifolds are cracked so either new ones or possibly some shorty headers. Would like to use long headers but have heard it makes working on the truck a real pain. Also I'm not to sure if I should use some adjustable rocker arms or not? And does anybody know if someone makes decent gaskets for these engines? I'm not a fan of cork. Any suggestions, ideas, and advice would be greatly appreciated because you guys are the pro's.
Oh ya the truck has a c6 tranny it's 4wd and has some 35in tires on it. Not sure what the 9" has for gears in it though.
Oh ya the truck has a c6 tranny it's 4wd and has some 35in tires on it. Not sure what the 9" has for gears in it though.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: New-brunswick,Canada
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: wyoming
headman headers.
351m/400 fenderwell exit headers. bronco graveyard around 220 buck. the tubes are 1 5/8" tube headers and work really nice for your application. easy to work around. don't use paper exhaust gskt. metal gskt! retorque after heating up once and double check.
tim meyer pistons bump up compression and decent parts and your good to go.
tim meyer pistons bump up compression and decent parts and your good to go.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
Thanks guys. A couple of questions. The tires I run now rub on the radius arms will that cause a problem with the fender well headers? They are 35x12.50s. They need to be replaced anyways maybe with some 35x10.50s. Also I want to keep the truck on 87 octane will that be a problem with the tmeyer pistons?thanks again.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
Just another thought, I just checked out the wieand intake manifold and it does not have a EGR port. Does this mean it does not have a exhaust crossover port in the intake? If so I live Saskatchewan and it gets very cold here
. Will that cause a problem with the carburertor freezing up? Thanks
. Will that cause a problem with the carburertor freezing up? Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia
Everything you have mentioned is what you would be told so you are on the right track. Felpro gaskets are the go. Had an upgraded set (dont know brand, but supplied by reputable shop) on a rebuild and they both failed miserably on an agressive break-in. got Felpro (but a better than average set ?? I think??) re-assembled and used gasket sealant (the spray kind) and diligently warmed up and retorqued and have thrashed it many times and all ok
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia
Everything you have mentioned is what you would be told so you are on the right track. Felpro gaskets are the go. Had an upgraded set (dont know brand, but supplied by reputable shop) on a rebuild and they both failed miserably on an agressive break-in. got Felpro (but a better than average set ?? I think??) re-assembled and used gasket sealant (the spray kind) and diligently warmed up and retorqued and have thrashed it many times and all ok. Definitely roller rocker if budget allows and with the heads off you can get them machined to suit bigget screw in studs.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: wyoming
headers rubbin?
yes they might rub. but one of your options are to adjust your stops in axle to help prevent this. Not usually a problem and they are tucked up pretty nice and usually don't rub with your application. My friend Todd has 35" TSL radials and his don't touch. he has about 4" lift on his truck.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Saskatchewan
yes they might rub. but one of your options are to adjust your stops in axle to help prevent this. Not usually a problem and they are tucked up pretty nice and usually don't rub with your application. My friend Todd has 35" TSL radials and his don't touch. he has about 4" lift on his truck.
Posting Guru
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From: wyoming
gonna be a sweet ride.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
Its funny how the scary simple stuff kicks out butt. will be a nice ride once completed. the advantage of fenderwell headers is your starters will live a lot longer. the paint on the headers is cheap. if possible can find a powdercoat company to help header liver longer. powdercoat hi heat. this is what I'm doing to mine, or just buy some black high heat paint. the factory crap is crap!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
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From: Saskatchewan
Ok, so far I've got the bottom end rebuilt with T Myer flat top pistons. The heads are rebuilt with comp cams matching valve springs. Comp cams xe 256h cam, weiand intake and a holley 4150 650 cfm carb. Does anyone run this set up? How's it sound? How's the power? Also I have a comp cams double roller timing chain set straight up. I don't have headers yet but plan on it in the future. I'm just waiting for a few odds and ends and I will be installing it in my truck. Any opinions or feed back on this build is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia
just make sure you have your dizzy checked out and the obvious new leads and plugs and I think you should be pretty happy with the result-BTW, what sort of heads were they 2V-4V-closed/open chamber etc just for interests sake?