I was all set to rebuild a 390 when this rolled into my lap.



77' f150 400/c6
Motor was suposed to be junk but it runs and has an Edelbrock Perf int and headers. The entire chassis and drive train is going into the truck in my avatar.

Now the plan is to rebuild the 400. Question.... What DIY tricks can I do during rebuild? 351 pistons???? Mill heads???? Restrict upper end oil????

I already know "how" to build, just don't have the exp in building a 335*.
Any tips would be welcome.

 

Pistons and a decent cam are the basics. 351C pistons require some bushings for the pin, iirc. Pistons available here:

TMeyer, Inc. Precision Automotive Machining

All kinds of info etc here:

351M/400 Performance Build Up

Bubba's M-Block Ford V8 Workshop

M-Block 351M/400 Parts Reference

All three are the same site, just different spots.

 

I used the 351C flat top pistons and the bushings for the pins from a 292 ford, worked well. I went all out on my build too many things to post in a short reply tho ( roller rokers, cam, studs intake etc). Popa John

 

Thanks. Any more tips?

 

just doing the cleveland pistons alone really bumps up the compression and might be good enough. Maybe clean up the deck at .005 at most. anymore than that your compression starts to get up into the 9.5 or more on compression. If running factory heads open chamber the pistons alone will get your decent compression. if you mill heads and CC and say around 73 or more. then have cleveland pistons flat top you whould be good to go. make sure deck is flat. its not hard to get to much compression with a flat top for pump gas. they do make aftermarket head gskt thicker but they are expensive, just money$$ In the perfect world go zero deck and a slight dish piston to achieve the desired compression you want. the trick to 400's is they are simple to make power and it starts with compression. torque plate the block when honing!!!! the bores move around alot and this is a technique to help control detonation and preignition. if oil get by rings and this is the beginning place of preigintion and detonation. torque plate is a big deal with these block. have checked up to .002 movement in blocks after relaxing blocks from torque plate hone. i believe the more you bore block the more it moves. things you learn along the way. the upper part of bore is what moves the most near head bolts.