Swap questions..
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From: Murray
Swap questions..
Ok,
So I got a 400 and attached tranny for free from my neighbor. It's out of a 78 Ranchero... I'm contemplating swapping it in place of my tempermental 390 in my 73 F350 which has a C-6 (I'm guessing the tranny behind the 400 is one as well).
What do I need to look out for if anything? I plan to strip the smog junk off and just build a good running reliable engine and bump up to Duraspark as the 390 is still using points.
-Chris
So I got a 400 and attached tranny for free from my neighbor. It's out of a 78 Ranchero... I'm contemplating swapping it in place of my tempermental 390 in my 73 F350 which has a C-6 (I'm guessing the tranny behind the 400 is one as well).
What do I need to look out for if anything? I plan to strip the smog junk off and just build a good running reliable engine and bump up to Duraspark as the 390 is still using points.
-Chris
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: TX
Yes you have a C6 behind your 400.
The big thing that will happen when you strip off the smog stuff is that your dizzy will need to be recurved as it will over-advance without the EGR (IIRC that's what causes it). The max advance you can run without detonation is 34*, so you will need to get a limiter with less advance.
Also, there is alot of retard in the cam for that year, so you'll want to either swap it out or get a timing set that will compensate.
The big thing that will happen when you strip off the smog stuff is that your dizzy will need to be recurved as it will over-advance without the EGR (IIRC that's what causes it). The max advance you can run without detonation is 34*, so you will need to get a limiter with less advance.
Also, there is alot of retard in the cam for that year, so you'll want to either swap it out or get a timing set that will compensate.
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Low compression and wimpy cam too.....however, stock for stock if it's in decent condition, it will replace the 390 just fine.
FWIW, I'd have fiddled with the 390 rather than go through the pains of an engine series swap. What is wrong with the 390? I would venture to say there is no problem with an FE that hasn't been discussed and fixed in the FE forums. If you have not tried that, post up the problems and other particulars. There are a number of guys who have been running those for years and they will be glad to help.
FWIW, I'd have fiddled with the 390 rather than go through the pains of an engine series swap. What is wrong with the 390? I would venture to say there is no problem with an FE that hasn't been discussed and fixed in the FE forums. If you have not tried that, post up the problems and other particulars. There are a number of guys who have been running those for years and they will be glad to help.
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From: Murray
Mostly the FE has just had a long life and needs to be majorly overhauled. In the meantime I plan on runnin the 400 for a while...she's not a DD so I have the luxury of taking my time and it never hurts to have a spare engine at your disposal. 
- Chris
- Chris
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Perris, CA
My brother is swapping his 7 cylinder 
390 for a 400 in his 69 f100. According to this page different engine perches are needed. Comparison Photos of Engine Perches - FORDification.com
390 for a 400 in his 69 f100. According to this page different engine perches are needed. Comparison Photos of Engine Perches - FORDification.com
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From: TX
Yeah they technically use small block perches, but mine sits on the truck's original FE/I6 ones just fine; They are only 1" higher.
Here's some info on recurving a Duraspark OP: http://reincarnation-automotive.com/...ons_index.html
Here's some info on recurving a Duraspark OP: http://reincarnation-automotive.com/...ons_index.html
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From: Murray
Thanks SoCalExile,
Some good info there..doesn't look like it would be too hard to recurve the dizzy following those instructions.
-Chris
Some good info there..doesn't look like it would be too hard to recurve the dizzy following those instructions.
-Chris
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