Hello,

As I am making my way through the rebuild of my 79 Bronco I have ran into a problem. I was pulling the water pump off and neglected to take the very top bolt out because I din't think it wa hooked to anything (I could see the threads). As I was pulling I was meeting a little resistance that I thought was just the seal needing to break to pull the pump off. I used a little more force and all of the sudden the plate behind the water pump separated from the motor. You can imagine my surprise as I look dwn to see timing gears and a crank shaft. This is the first Ford motor I have ever cracked in to and I was not expecting that at all.

Now for my options:

1- Pull out the motor (it's a 400 SB) and rebuild it
2-Buy a crate and drop it in
3-Do a 460 swap

I need some opinions from anyone that has either done a rebuild or done a swap. Where is a good place to get a crate motor? Does anyone NEED a 460? Is a rebuild more of a pain than it is worth?

One question I do have is are all small blocks the same? Most of the crate motors I have found are 302s bored and stroked to 347ci. Will that work?
--I found the answer to this, turns out a 351M and 400 share the bell housing patern with the 429/460 and so I need to look at one of those

I want the least *** pain possible but I do want to do this right.

Thoughts?

Pot Pie

 

The only options you have are a 351m or a 400 or a 385 series aka 429/460 If you want a bolt in installation. Using the 385 involves changing motor mount configuration but they do bolt up to tranny. If I were you and I had the $$ I would look into buying a crate engine from someone reputable like T Myers. He has gotten 429/460 comparable power from the 335 series engines. And that would be a direct fit with no mods.

 

Thanks Gator,

I Hadn't planned on doing a motor so I don't know what my budget is going to be. I didn't see any prices on his website.

 

Ok.. help me understand something. You peeled the timing cover off with the water pump.. so what? Why don't you just clean up the cover and put it back on with another water pump?

 

I was going to say the same thing Paul.

 

Because now it becomes pulling it out and resealing and rebuilding the whole thing. If I hadn't done that I would have left the motor untill it blew and needed to be replaced. Since I will have to replace the front crank, oil pan, and timing cover seals I might as well do the rest and while it is out rebuild it.
My question is if it is better to just replace the old motor now since it will be out or if a rebuild is the better solution. I can't imagine the seals would run me more than about $70 so it's not a money issue, it's a "what is the better way to go" question.

 

I was under the assumption you were rebuilding the motor. If it is mechanically sound just put it back together. No need to replace anything but gaskets and water pump.

 

What's a "front crank"? And why do you need to replace the oil pan?

 

It sounds like you broke the timing cover if you're looking down and seeing timing gears. (Dang, how hard were you prying?) A timing cover is a lot cheaper than than replacing the engine. You do not have to pull the engine to do a timing cover.
If you just want to change the engine you have, a crate 351/400 would be the "easiest". Fred Jones, Jasper, Autozone or Advanced can get you a reman with warranty. If you go the big block route, I'm not going to say it is the "easiest", but it sure is worth it (personally). You need to find an old Lincoln or a Ford truck with a 460 so you can get ALL the stuff off the front of the engine (brackets and accessories). If you go big block, consider cooling requirements and new exhaust.