400 small block help?
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400 small block help?
Hello, im looking into buying a old ford truck, I havent found many that are worth buying except for a 1977 ford 250 camper special with a 400 small block in it, its a 2wd truck and is in Great shape for 1500$
Im really interested in this truck but i never did like the 400's low amount of horses.. So i did a bunch of research and all i could really find was a 500 hp 400 made for 7 grand.
I dont have 7 grand just kickin around, so i plan on building up the horses and torque slowly.. Buy new performance parts for her if i buy her.. But i have not seen any threads about people slowly modifying a 400? it seems the people with 400's just put 5 + grand into it right away..
So my question is, What kind of things could i do to a 400ci ford motor, that wont cost more then $1000 or so at a time?
Thanks
Im really interested in this truck but i never did like the 400's low amount of horses.. So i did a bunch of research and all i could really find was a 500 hp 400 made for 7 grand.
I dont have 7 grand just kickin around, so i plan on building up the horses and torque slowly.. Buy new performance parts for her if i buy her.. But i have not seen any threads about people slowly modifying a 400? it seems the people with 400's just put 5 + grand into it right away..
So my question is, What kind of things could i do to a 400ci ford motor, that wont cost more then $1000 or so at a time?
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 17,708
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From: Calgary
Scroll down the forum list until you come to the 335 forum, you'll see what others did.
POR is right and look for either a wieand or edelbrock manifold. A 600 carb goes a long way but if you want to go big power down the road get a 650 and jet it down for now. That 400 is a big block and when you shop for headers you can include the 351 C. That motor is all torque and weighs 200 lbs less than a 460.
POR is right and look for either a wieand or edelbrock manifold. A 600 carb goes a long way but if you want to go big power down the road get a 650 and jet it down for now. That 400 is a big block and when you shop for headers you can include the 351 C. That motor is all torque and weighs 200 lbs less than a 460.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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1) Make sure it's a 400. Check the stroke with a wire. Hard to do on that motor, but try anyway.
2) Don't go there with BB or SB. The 400 is tall like a BB, but has the SB bore spacing along with the BB 385 series bell. "Mutt" is one name given with great affection.
2) These have low compression and a terrible cam. You can replace the cam, but if your motor is worn and has blow by or uneven compression test results (do a compression test no matter what you are going to do), you will end up doing your work all over again.
3) If you have poor results from your compression test, put some decent pistons in it along with the cam. Even with the stock manifolding and carb, you will gain massive power compared to stock.
4) Go here TMeyer, Inc. Precision Automotive Machining
You don't need heads if yours are good. You will need valve springs if you change cams, so you will put new seals it at that time as well, if your heads are otherwise sound.
5) 351C headers might bolt to the heads, but since the 351C is an inche shorter, fitment issues may follow. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-a-400-a.html
6) Did you go here? 335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
2) Don't go there with BB or SB. The 400 is tall like a BB, but has the SB bore spacing along with the BB 385 series bell. "Mutt" is one name given with great affection.
2) These have low compression and a terrible cam. You can replace the cam, but if your motor is worn and has blow by or uneven compression test results (do a compression test no matter what you are going to do), you will end up doing your work all over again.
3) If you have poor results from your compression test, put some decent pistons in it along with the cam. Even with the stock manifolding and carb, you will gain massive power compared to stock.
4) Go here TMeyer, Inc. Precision Automotive Machining
You don't need heads if yours are good. You will need valve springs if you change cams, so you will put new seals it at that time as well, if your heads are otherwise sound.
5) 351C headers might bolt to the heads, but since the 351C is an inche shorter, fitment issues may follow. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-a-400-a.html
6) Did you go here? 335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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I've got a '78 F250/4 wd/4.10's/31" tires with 400M. Mine's pretty low mileage (40k). Eventually, I plan upgrades, either cam/intake/carb/exhaust or maybe a full rebuild and head upgrade. I'm not in a hurry though. It is in decent shape and works pretty well dead stock. It has done OK towing 6000k+.
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335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
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