Dad's 1977
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
Dad's 1977
Alright FTE brethren, its time to drop some knowledge on this noob. I was raised riding around in a 1972 F100 (miss that truck) My dad purchased a 1977 F150 after the 72 was in an unfortunate accident.
It sorrows me deeply to say Dad passed away last month. I inherited his 77 F150 4x4 and I plan on fixing it up to keep in the family and hopefully pass it down to my kids one day. All of that being said;
It has the 400 in it with automatic transmission. Is this a good motor to rebuild/tune up and stick with? Or is it better to swap in another? (I keep hearing 390 this 390 that). The reason I ask is it is quite gutless so I suspect it needs a good going over and I'm curious if it would be better to just order a long block or crate motor? It runs and starts pretty reliably but it just feels flat.
Although I feel very deeply attached to these 70s model Fords I am really totally green when it comes to working on them and basic info on them. ANY help would be greatly appreciated! I am getting antsy to get working on this thing! What are the need to knows, nuances, and technical data for this particular truck? Thanks guys!
P.S. Once I get into the new house and get it picked up from its temporary holding place I will post some pictures.
It sorrows me deeply to say Dad passed away last month. I inherited his 77 F150 4x4 and I plan on fixing it up to keep in the family and hopefully pass it down to my kids one day. All of that being said;
It has the 400 in it with automatic transmission. Is this a good motor to rebuild/tune up and stick with? Or is it better to swap in another? (I keep hearing 390 this 390 that). The reason I ask is it is quite gutless so I suspect it needs a good going over and I'm curious if it would be better to just order a long block or crate motor? It runs and starts pretty reliably but it just feels flat.
Although I feel very deeply attached to these 70s model Fords I am really totally green when it comes to working on them and basic info on them. ANY help would be greatly appreciated! I am getting antsy to get working on this thing! What are the need to knows, nuances, and technical data for this particular truck? Thanks guys!
P.S. Once I get into the new house and get it picked up from its temporary holding place I will post some pictures.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Welcome to FTE. Sorry to hear about dad.
The 351M/400 is a fine engine series. FEs are thirsty!!
In any case, visit the Tech Info Hyperlink Compilation sticky's last post for the newest update. There are zillions of links from mods, engine builds, and all sorts of convenient info.
First, decode your data plate.
The 351M/400 is a fine engine series. FEs are thirsty!!
In any case, visit the Tech Info Hyperlink Compilation sticky's last post for the newest update. There are zillions of links from mods, engine builds, and all sorts of convenient info.
First, decode your data plate.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
Thanks for the welcome and the condolences. I have been reading the stickies. A lot of good info. A lot to learn about this truck. I won't be able to decode any info on the truck until we move into a new house (living with friends right now while waiting for old house in different town to sell 
). For now the truck is being stored at family members' house in a different town.
It seems like the 400 has been kind of forgotten in the aftermarket world? Not to mention down on power due to all of the smog changes that were made in conjunction with that engine? Wondering if I'd be better off going over to a 390 and just starting over new?
). For now the truck is being stored at family members' house in a different town. It seems like the 400 has been kind of forgotten in the aftermarket world? Not to mention down on power due to all of the smog changes that were made in conjunction with that engine? Wondering if I'd be better off going over to a 390 and just starting over new?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
400's are good engines, they are low on power from the factory like every engine from the 70's. A few mods will wake them up and they will run great. I would stick with the 400 for sure, it will be a lot easier to keep then to do an engine swap.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
Welcome to FTE. X2 on the 390. They ARE a thirsty engine. Stay with the 400 as Cory281 and HIO Sliver suggested. That 400 will out run a 390 and get better gas milage to boot. IMHO. I've just rebuilt my 400 in a '77 F-150 2wd and we are hoping for 375-390HP and gobs of torque.
Check out the thread on the 335 engines. There is MORE than enough info there to help you along. There are also a LOT of great ppl at FTE that will help with their vast knowkedge and expertice on these trucks to. Good luck in your quest and happy motoring.
Check out the thread on the 335 engines. There is MORE than enough info there to help you along. There are also a LOT of great ppl at FTE that will help with their vast knowkedge and expertice on these trucks to. Good luck in your quest and happy motoring.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
Awesome guys! Thanks for the input. I will likely stick with the 400 then. One of the links I read kinda made the 400 sound like a turd lol. I'm happy to hear there is enough aftermarket support to turn it into a great engine. I'm not looking to drag race the thing. But I do want it to get up and go when I say so! My Dad's old 72 had the 360 with all the bolt ons and a cam and that thing was fun to drive! First truck I ever drove...standard transmission with granny gear and no power steering made for interesting times for a 15 year old kid!
I really appreciate the responses guys. There is so much sentimental value in this truck for me that its killing me that I cant get my hands on it yet and get her looking and running good. I'm a regular over on the other F150 forums and I will be a regular over here I promise! I like the forum support for the older models. You don't find as much of that at the other forums.
I really appreciate the responses guys. There is so much sentimental value in this truck for me that its killing me that I cant get my hands on it yet and get her looking and running good. I'm a regular over on the other F150 forums and I will be a regular over here I promise! I like the forum support for the older models. You don't find as much of that at the other forums.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
Glad we could help ya. My 1/2 ton was bought by my Dad to. Bought it new and it was wrote off twice. Once by him at 700 miles (DUI) and the second time the old girl did it in. I fixed it the last time and glad I did. Shes been torn down three time now. This last time it was because of sitting for the last 25 years. In a garage on jack stands. There is only 36,000 miles on her. My Dad passed away last January, so this has some sentimental value for me also. Keep in touch and don't be shy about asking questions. The guys on here taught me LOTS about what to do and what NOT to do.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
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From: Reno NV
POPAJON sorry to hear about your dad. It's a hard pill to swallow that's for sure. My dad was my best friend and hero. Its only been a month since he passed. I think that's why its killing me not having that truck to work on. I need something to keep my mind from wandering.
I will definitely be spending a lot (too much by some peoples' (wife's) standards lol) of time on here learning all I can. I expect to learn a lot on here. Seems like a source of a lot of good info and knowledgeable people.
By the way, thanks a lot for bringing up the 335 engine section....one visit to that section and I can already see my days off going out the window
haha.
First chance I get I will snap some pictures of the truck and post them up. She's a good looking ride (aside from a bad front fender done in by the previous owner (before my dad) taking out a pole at the gas station), and the typical Ford rust areas.
I will definitely be spending a lot (too much by some peoples' (wife's) standards lol) of time on here learning all I can. I expect to learn a lot on here. Seems like a source of a lot of good info and knowledgeable people.
By the way, thanks a lot for bringing up the 335 engine section....one visit to that section and I can already see my days off going out the window
haha. First chance I get I will snap some pictures of the truck and post them up. She's a good looking ride (aside from a bad front fender done in by the previous owner (before my dad) taking out a pole at the gas station), and the typical Ford rust areas.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
WOW a pole. That's what my Dad hit on the passenger side front cab a concrete one though. If my Mom had of been with him she'd of been killed. The truck sat out side for about 2 years whilst he looked for another cab,, found a '73 cab in Kansas. It had issues in the floor pans. That's one of the reasons it's in a million annd one pieces on my shop floor. I am retired now, so the cash flow isn't the same. doing what I can with what I can afford. The old girl is behind me 100% so that;s a good thing. ttyl
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
Ya the pole this guy hit was one of those metal pipes filled with concrete to protect the gas pumps. Not a high speed hit just a bone head not watching what he's doing hit while pulling in to get gas. Its not completely trashed but bad enough that I just want to replace it.
I am in Nevada down in the states. Catch ya later man. Good chatting with ya. I'm sure we'll talk plenty more on here!
I am in Nevada down in the states. Catch ya later man. Good chatting with ya. I'm sure we'll talk plenty more on here!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 65
From: Eastern, Idaho
400s have a lot of potential. Ford just tried to make a smog compliant engine with them in stock form and kept alot of the power caged up. There is lots of information here and on the net about what to do to them.
Basically the 400 is 351 cleveland with a taller deck height (longer stroke). I like to think of them as the cleveland's big brother. They do share a lot of parts with a 351 cleveland so the aftermarket can appear to be slim for a 400 as a result.
Basically the 400 is 351 cleveland with a taller deck height (longer stroke). I like to think of them as the cleveland's big brother. They do share a lot of parts with a 351 cleveland so the aftermarket can appear to be slim for a 400 as a result.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14,724
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From: Gods Country, Kansas
Like many have said the 400's are good engines, but to most people they are boat anchors. The 390 is a very mean engine but they LOVE fuel. I get 8 down hill 
. I would keep the 400 in there since I wouldn't wanna mess around with an engine swap right now. You can build a 400 for a good price compared to the a 390. I would put a set of aftermarket heads on it since the stock heads are almost junk. Then I would a 4bbl intake and a 4bbl Holley or Edelbrock (whichever you perfer) then you would be looking at a decently powered engine and around 10-12 mpgs.
. I would keep the 400 in there since I wouldn't wanna mess around with an engine swap right now. You can build a 400 for a good price compared to the a 390. I would put a set of aftermarket heads on it since the stock heads are almost junk. Then I would a 4bbl intake and a 4bbl Holley or Edelbrock (whichever you perfer) then you would be looking at a decently powered engine and around 10-12 mpgs.