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Old May 9, 2012 | 10:55 PM
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400 partial rebuild

Ok I need help from the 400 pro's.

I have the option on intakes between a StreetMaster 400 or a Performer 400.

Edelebrock 1406 or a Holley 8150 (may have that number wrong it is a 600/650 cfm)

This is on a farm/once or twice a week driver to work.

I want low end torque, but also some added HP's for fun.

Any recommendations on cam and timming chain?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
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Old May 10, 2012 | 09:59 AM
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What ever cam you get if you don't degree it in get it set at zero. Get the recomended springs for it, retainers & keepers. Check for push rod length, get the right preload on the lifters, this is VERY important. A carb in that range will be good, I would put a 1" 4 hole spacer plate under it.
 
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Old May 10, 2012 | 05:30 PM
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street master intake manifold is a single plane and the performer 400 is a dual plan. You look for low end torque then go with the dual plan performer 400.

For the timing chain get rid off the stock one. It is retard 4 degrees to meet smog restrictions. Get the one with the 3 key way -4,0,+4. Set it straight-up (at 0 degree).

The cam i would call any cam companies and they will find the right cam for your application. Don't forget to match the spring with the cam as mention.

And to take advantage of all those changes, i will get a set of headers.
 
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Old May 12, 2012 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by PDX_F250_78
Ok I need help from the 400 pro's.

I have the option on intakes between a StreetMaster 400 or a Performer 400.

Edelebrock 1406 or a Holley 8150 (may have that number wrong it is a 600/650 cfm)

This is on a farm/once or twice a week driver to work.

I want low end torque, but also some added HP's for fun.

Any recommendations on cam and timming chain?

Thanks in advance for your help.

When you say "partial rebuild" just how far are you going? If you're rebuilding the engine, make sure you go with a piston that addresses the compression ratio problem. Once you have that taken care of do exactly as Mark & Mustang81 have already said.

I just finished rebuilding mine and put a streetmaster intake and an eddy 1406 carb on it. Neither were my preference, but they were free. The timing set was exactly as Mustang81 describes. Set it to zero.

Cam is from Lunati recommended by Tim Meyer. Pt#06114. Springs had to be upgraded for the cam. Stock 2V heads, and hooker headers. Sounds good.

Good luck with your build.
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 11:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Snowymountainman
When you say "partial rebuild" just how far are you going? If you're rebuilding the engine, make sure you go with a piston that addresses the compression ratio problem. Once you have that taken care of do exactly as Mark & Mustang81 have already said.

I just finished rebuilding mine and put a streetmaster intake and an eddy 1406 carb on it. Neither were my preference, but they were free. The timing set was exactly as Mustang81 describes. Set it to zero.

Cam is from Lunati recommended by Tim Meyer. Pt#06114. Springs had to be upgraded for the cam. Stock 2V heads, and hooker headers. Sounds good.

Good luck with your build.
I wasn't planning on replacing the piston's, but was replacing cam, timing set, springs and lobes I believe.

What was your end goal after your rebuild? What compression ratio did you get to?
 
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Old May 14, 2012 | 09:38 PM
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headers?

if running a header go with small tube header. 1 5/8" tube. small tube header helps for this application low end/midrange. if not changing pistons really gonna need all the help you can get. dual plane and headers and fresh timing chain.
 
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Old May 15, 2012 | 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted by PDX_F250_78
I wasn't planning on replacing the piston's, but was replacing cam, timing set, springs and lobes I believe.

What was your end goal after your rebuild? What compression ratio did you get to?
My goal was a stout truck motor that kept all of the factory equipment and mounting. I was headed towards a cummins till I saw what the 400 was capable of. It's not a diesel, but it can do great things.

Compression ratio is between 9.3 and 9.5 to 1.
 
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 12:26 PM
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Ok, so things change as I've read on this forum many times.

Instead of a partial, doing the whole shebang now.

The cam I chose is the 32-241-4 from comp cams. Small timing set from SK.

What I need now is piston input. The heads are being redone. I haven't heard from my machinist if he needs to bore the block.

inputs?
 
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Old Jun 13, 2012 | 08:56 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by PDX_F250_78
Ok, so things change as I've read on this forum many times.

Instead of a partial, doing the whole shebang now.

The cam I chose is the 32-241-4 from comp cams. Small timing set from SK.

What I need now is piston input. The heads are being redone. I haven't heard from my machinist if he needs to bore the block.

inputs?

Need some ideas guys. Any input on pistons would be great.

Doesn't seem to be a lot out there for the 400.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2012 | 04:32 PM
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tim meyer is where you need to start.

Originally Posted by PDX_F250_78
Need some ideas guys. Any input on pistons would be great.

Doesn't seem to be a lot out there for the 400.
has the pistons you need for your application. Also lots of knowledge on this application.
 
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