I picked up a 2wd '78 F-250 XLT Ranger Camper Special last weekend off Craigslist and drove it home. It has a 400/C6 and a very solid body and air conditioning. This body (with A/C!!), Dana 60 and engine are going to go on my '78 F-150 4x4 which has a 300/NP435/NP205 with a rusty body and no A/C.

Anyway, I'm trying to get this newly built 400 to run properly but it just won't idle. The previous owner had his mechanic install a 4bbl Edelbrock 1405, and the engine was completely rebuilt using OE spec stuff. Anyway, it's not shifting either and I can't get a completely smooth idle. The whole engine vibrates noticeably and even when I think I've smoothed it out by tuning the carb, it will start surging. Dad says it sounds like a vacuum leak. I haven't picked up a vacuum gauge yet, because I'm still messing around with the sending unit in the side tank.

So today I wanted to check and see if I can get an electric choke for my carb so I look to see what model it is and in the corner of my eye I notice the intake manifold has an oval cast into it. WTF? Then it hits me, I never really looked hard at the intake manifold - I assumed it was an Edelbrock to match the carb. No, Cletus® put a Ford 4bbl manifold on the engine. Funny, I think ... Ford never made a 4bbl on the 400. Then I look closer, and notice the RTV all over the intake. On the bottom, on the heads - oh, it's a thing of beauty. I'm guessing it's a 351C manifold. I'm still shaking my head. So, anyone have a spare Weiand 8010 laying around they would sell me?

 

we gotta see pics of that mess!