Dad's Engine
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 26
From: Algona,WA
Our van is the same way after a while, 318, doesn't run very hot but if you're on the highway for hours the doghouse gets kind of hot on the sides. Especially fun when you get over 65 MPH and the doghouse starts to lift up a bit because you're too lazy to put the retaining screws in and just use the side clips 
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Back in the '80's I had a Dodge work van ('the Black Mariah' or 'the Paddy Wagon') with a 318.
That thing was an oven in the summer.
A/C never did work.
Vent windows open, your calf's still cooked...
That thing was an oven in the summer.
A/C never did work.
Vent windows open, your calf's still cooked...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 26
From: Algona,WA
"The bang bus". We've taken ours on several long trips, some 3500 miles. Last one was all through western Oregon then to the redwoods in northern California. 5? years ago. Running I5, 95-100 degrees, no A/C except for the 2-60 A/C. 2 wing windows, 60 MPH. One day we went 352 miles on the hottest day. Stopped in Grants Pass, OR. The hottest hell hole in Oregon I've ever been to - the desert. Definitely not fun. Did yours have the floor vents? ours does. Ours is a regular passenger van, not a work van. Man those things are made cheap....
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
You can only imagine a flat black van in the sun, with no side or rear windows and no headliner...
It was rickety but seemed indestructible.
It was over 30 years ago.
I forget if there were any floor vents.
Looking forward to Gary's updates as his engine comes together.
It was rickety but seemed indestructible.
It was over 30 years ago.
I forget if there were any floor vents.
Looking forward to Gary's updates as his engine comes together.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 26
From: Algona,WA
You can only imagine a flat black van in the sun, with no side or rear windows and no headliner...
It was rickety but seemed indestructible.
It was over 30 years ago.
I forget if there were any floor vents.
Looking forward to Gary's updates as his engine comes together.
It was rickety but seemed indestructible.
It was over 30 years ago.
I forget if there were any floor vents.
Looking forward to Gary's updates as his engine comes together.
Can't wait to see it done and running!
Thread Starter
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
As I think about it, there is quite a bit of work to do before the engine is together. In fact, I just realized that it'll be dangling from the crane until I go out and find some 5" bolts to attach it to the engine stand. And even when I have the bolts it'll be somewhat of a pain getting it on the stand as the stand I'm going to use has legs that don't play nicely with the crane's legs.
And then there's getting the shop ready for the GTG on Saturday. Lots and lots and lots of things to put away. Maybe I'll get started on the engine next week.
And then there's getting the shop ready for the GTG on Saturday. Lots and lots and lots of things to put away. Maybe I'll get started on the engine next week.
Thread Starter
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Thanks! W's are good engines, but w/o stroking they won't have the torque of a 400. And changing to one isn't easy as you need new perches and a new tranny.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: Where the Army sends me
I think it's well worth it even with a baseline TMeyer kit, like I got. Hard to argue with over 400ft-lbs carb'd
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 8
From: Indian Falls, New York
I disagree. The correct combination of parts on a stock stroke Windsor will trump a 400 in stock configuration. You don't need to stroke a Windsor to make power; it's just easier if you do.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 8
From: Indian Falls, New York
Considering my dad built a Windsor with roughly 480 lb-ft (crank) on stock stroke I'd say its possible.
Don't get me wrong, I love the torque of a 400 but that claim is blasphemy.
Don't get me wrong, I love the torque of a 400 but that claim is blasphemy.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 8
From: Indian Falls, New York
That said when you start throwing money at a 400; they can build power, but it is much more cost effective to build a Windsor. People call M blocks turds for a reason. But being a Ford man I love them all.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Hard to compare in stock form as the two engines didn't exist in the same vehicles at the same time. And time determined where Ford was in its experience with smog rules. So comparing different years is comparing different emissions packages, which isn't a good comparison.
Having said that, Jim is right - stroke equals mechanical advantage, which creates torque. While my degree in physics is a few years old, they still haven't repealed that law. Nor the laws of thermodynamics which, poorly applied, say that the amount of air/fuel mix you can get into and out of a cylinder determines the amount of expansion/thrust you can get on an engine. If it weren't for having about 20 FTE'ers at the shop today I would do a comparison on the port sizes of a Windsor vs an M/400 stock intake, head, and exhaust. There's a huge difference - in favor of the 335 Series.
All that says that with the same compression a stock 400 will be much stronger than a stock Windsor. The key is the compression.
Having said that, Jim is right - stroke equals mechanical advantage, which creates torque. While my degree in physics is a few years old, they still haven't repealed that law. Nor the laws of thermodynamics which, poorly applied, say that the amount of air/fuel mix you can get into and out of a cylinder determines the amount of expansion/thrust you can get on an engine. If it weren't for having about 20 FTE'ers at the shop today I would do a comparison on the port sizes of a Windsor vs an M/400 stock intake, head, and exhaust. There's a huge difference - in favor of the 335 Series.
All that says that with the same compression a stock 400 will be much stronger than a stock Windsor. The key is the compression.