FE 390 vs 400M
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 1
From: Stockholm, NJ
Yes. Though I'm thinking that if I do the Dana 60 front-axle swap, I would go to 4.10 since I do want to do a bit of towing with this truck eventually.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 1
From: Stockholm, NJ
Pontiac 428 blocks are also hard to come by. Only produced from1967-1969.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 77
From: spring hill fl
the 351m/400 is in the 335 engine family, the 429/460 is the 385 family. just saying.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
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From: Pa.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,512
Likes: 3
From: Panama City
A well built 400 is at least as good as a well built 390. And twice the motor a 360 is. Just have to do your homework finding parts, or go to Tim Myers.
Just doing a straight up timing set and slight head work is worth 40-50 horses with good intake and exhaust.
Just doing a straight up timing set and slight head work is worth 40-50 horses with good intake and exhaust.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 77
From: spring hill fl
they also cast some of the early 400s with the windsor small block bell pattern, but they aren't very common.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 348
Likes: 4
From: Bakersfield,CA
After reading article titled " high performance options for the 351M/400 engine",
beleive the 400 design was more adaptable for the more stringent smog requirements
compared to the FE 390. The FE 390 did not have any features for smog equipment.
On the bellhousing/transmission selection thing. The 400 bellhousing has the 8.5" x 6.25" transmission bolt pattern, same as the FE360/390. Typically called to top loader butterfly bolt pattern.
However the FE has more of a round bolt pattern while the 400 has straight bolt pattern at the top two holes.
Seems like it would cost more to rebuild a stock 400M using interchangable 351C compenents than a stock FE390?
Definitely would cost more to build a performance 400M compared to a performance FE390?
Tried to tow an 8000 lb boat /trailer up the CA coast with a newly rebuilt 351W/C6/3.73/31 tires. The 351W was under powered for the job with 5% grades.
Stock 300-6 or 302 is out of the question.
Its either a stock rebuilt 400M or rebuilt FE390 to tow the same boat/trailer.
Engine going into non smog certificated F250 truck with 4.10 rear
beleive the 400 design was more adaptable for the more stringent smog requirements
compared to the FE 390. The FE 390 did not have any features for smog equipment.
On the bellhousing/transmission selection thing. The 400 bellhousing has the 8.5" x 6.25" transmission bolt pattern, same as the FE360/390. Typically called to top loader butterfly bolt pattern.
However the FE has more of a round bolt pattern while the 400 has straight bolt pattern at the top two holes.
Seems like it would cost more to rebuild a stock 400M using interchangable 351C compenents than a stock FE390?
Definitely would cost more to build a performance 400M compared to a performance FE390?
Tried to tow an 8000 lb boat /trailer up the CA coast with a newly rebuilt 351W/C6/3.73/31 tires. The 351W was under powered for the job with 5% grades.
Stock 300-6 or 302 is out of the question.
Its either a stock rebuilt 400M or rebuilt FE390 to tow the same boat/trailer.
Engine going into non smog certificated F250 truck with 4.10 rear
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 685
Likes: 2
351m/400 engines don't have an overly large market on their own. But they do share characteristics with other engines and parts carry over. I haven't wanted a part that I could not get. Cams, cranks, pistons, rods, aluminum heads, intakes, headers, rocker arms, timing chains, and ignition components are all available. Most of which through common places like Summit.
If starting with an empty engine bay or a six cylinder, the 351m/400 block to start with will be less expensive and easier to find in most places.
The 400 responds very well when compression is increased. If budget allows you could buy Tim's pistons to bump compression, or have the heads shaved a bit.
On a budget I think a 400 would be the most cost effective route to go. Get a rebuild kit with it to replace all of the seals and bearings. Parooze craigslist and ebay for used go faster parts like an intake and headers. I think you would be much better off going this way towing a boat.
If starting with an empty engine bay or a six cylinder, the 351m/400 block to start with will be less expensive and easier to find in most places.
The 400 responds very well when compression is increased. If budget allows you could buy Tim's pistons to bump compression, or have the heads shaved a bit.
On a budget I think a 400 would be the most cost effective route to go. Get a rebuild kit with it to replace all of the seals and bearings. Parooze craigslist and ebay for used go faster parts like an intake and headers. I think you would be much better off going this way towing a boat.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 685
Likes: 2
A 400 can be built for much less than 6k when doing the work yourself.
for example..
Junk yard or CL block- 300
Master rebuild kit- 335
Rebuilt 400- $665
Aluminum intake used- 100
Used carb(600-650cfm)- 150
Used headers- 200
Comp Cam- 150
Healthy, rebuilt 400- $1,265
Tim Myer's 9:5:1 pistons to replace those in the rebuild kit- 325
Tim Myer's distributor kit- 617
Porting/polishing work on heads- $10 die grinder bits
More aggressive cam to work with high compression $150
Bigger used carb(750) $50 more than previously listed
"Built" 400- $2,267
Obviously these are ballpark figures from quick google searches. Other parts will probably come up during the build. My point is that a 400 can be built to varying degrees for a reasonable price.
for example..
Junk yard or CL block- 300
Master rebuild kit- 335
Rebuilt 400- $665
Aluminum intake used- 100
Used carb(600-650cfm)- 150
Used headers- 200
Comp Cam- 150
Healthy, rebuilt 400- $1,265
Tim Myer's 9:5:1 pistons to replace those in the rebuild kit- 325
Tim Myer's distributor kit- 617
Porting/polishing work on heads- $10 die grinder bits
More aggressive cam to work with high compression $150
Bigger used carb(750) $50 more than previously listed
"Built" 400- $2,267
Obviously these are ballpark figures from quick google searches. Other parts will probably come up during the build. My point is that a 400 can be built to varying degrees for a reasonable price.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 325
From: Central Florida
Coyotes are Cool
It will make a great photo essay in these pages and I, for one, do hope you go for it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 325
From: Central Florida
What about the 385 series engine? It was available 68-97 in hugemobiles such as the Lincoln and in medium duty trucks so there's probably still a few to be found, at least the 460 CID version. The 429 might be a challenge to find.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
I don't mean to sound sarcastic but what kind of 400 are you building for 6K.
I built mine in CANADA for 3600$ CDN using a lot of parts imported from Summit, T Meyers, ARP Edelbrock, Holley, Crane roller rockers, valve springs, guide plates, rocker stud kit, Comp roller cam and lifters 351C flat top pistons multi angle valve job. If you look you shall find. Popa John.
I built mine in CANADA for 3600$ CDN using a lot of parts imported from Summit, T Meyers, ARP Edelbrock, Holley, Crane roller rockers, valve springs, guide plates, rocker stud kit, Comp roller cam and lifters 351C flat top pistons multi angle valve job. If you look you shall find. Popa John.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 11
From: Townsend, MT
All FE bell housings are not the same.
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