351m/400 rebuild or replace options
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
351m/400 rebuild or replace options
I spend most of my time over on the 73-79 forum, but have been looking over here more and hoping you all have some advice. Currently I have a 351m with 72k miles that has a few issues driving me to rebuilding or replacing it (piston slap, a burnt valve or two, and maybe rod bearings). I the end I'd like to have a better than stock 400 (e.g. cam and manifold). I've rebuilt an engine before, but don't have the time or tools any more so I'm looking at three options:
1. have a local shop rebuild the engine including a 400 crank - ~$1500
2. buy a short block and have my heads reconditioned locally - I've found a few vendors on the 'net - any recommendations here?
3. buy a long block - again I've found a few vendors on the 'net with various prices
Thanks!!
1. have a local shop rebuild the engine including a 400 crank - ~$1500
2. buy a short block and have my heads reconditioned locally - I've found a few vendors on the 'net - any recommendations here?
3. buy a long block - again I've found a few vendors on the 'net with various prices
Thanks!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 917
Likes: 14
I spend most of my time over on the 73-79 forum, but have been looking over here more and hoping you all have some advice. Currently I have a 351m with 72k miles that has a few issues driving me to rebuilding or replacing it (piston slap, a burnt valve or two, and maybe rod bearings). I the end I'd like to have a better than stock 400 (e.g. cam and manifold). I've rebuilt an engine before, but don't have the time or tools any more so I'm looking at three options:
1. have a local shop rebuild the engine including a 400 crank - ~$1500
2. buy a short block and have my heads reconditioned locally - I've found a few vendors on the 'net - any recommendations here?
3. buy a long block - again I've found a few vendors on the 'net with various prices
Thanks!!
1. have a local shop rebuild the engine including a 400 crank - ~$1500
2. buy a short block and have my heads reconditioned locally - I've found a few vendors on the 'net - any recommendations here?
3. buy a long block - again I've found a few vendors on the 'net with various prices
Thanks!!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I agree that Tim is the way to go. And, if you want a decent compression ratio you will need to get the pistons from him anyway as he has essentially the only pistons for a 400 that give other than the stock 8:1 compression. (And, there aren't similar ones for a 351M, so you do need to make it a 400.)
But, as Bud suggested, Tim can supply all of the parts you want, whether basic engine parts or fancy dress parts. That includes recommending a cam - probably a custom one that he's tested but made by Comp Cams. Further, he can build and dyno an engine and then ship it to you. And, if he does the build he will put his oiling system mod's in it so you will have reasonable pressure instead of the 15 psi at idle many stockers have. Or, you can have a machine shop put the mod's in - if they will, although mine wouldn't do it so I did.
Give Tim a call, but make sure you have time to talk as he will give you time.
But, as Bud suggested, Tim can supply all of the parts you want, whether basic engine parts or fancy dress parts. That includes recommending a cam - probably a custom one that he's tested but made by Comp Cams. Further, he can build and dyno an engine and then ship it to you. And, if he does the build he will put his oiling system mod's in it so you will have reasonable pressure instead of the 15 psi at idle many stockers have. Or, you can have a machine shop put the mod's in - if they will, although mine wouldn't do it so I did.
Give Tim a call, but make sure you have time to talk as he will give you time.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
The only reason there's a 351M is that there was already a 351C so Ford needed to differentiate that one from the other. But, there was never any other 400 so Ford didn't call it a 400M. Just a 400.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
I'm still undecided on a path forward. Yesterday after looking at a used 351m to rebuild, I at least made up my mind to not do it all myself. Ideally, I'd like to buy an assembled 400 short block and then have my heads reconditioned.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Why not have the pro do it? Tim Meyer is the guy. Ship your stuff to him, inc the heads, and he'll build it however you want it. He can even dyno it if you want.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: Wayne,CO Mich
if you have the cash then go all in with tim I haven't personally, but I sure will be in the near future, I don't think you can get the full potential of the 400 without going to him. go big or......Good luck hope to see the thread.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
Well, cash is the main issue right now. Maybe down the road I could have a really nice professionally built engine, but I'm limited to about $2k. Trying to do something in this space looks a bit challenging in wanting a bit more performance than stock.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 801
Likes: 7
From: Toledo, Ohio
. First of all, forget buying an engine or shortblock, unless they'll do it using TMI pistons or modified rods for 351C pistons... (or custom pistons, but that gets real pricey) ... anything else gets you a wimpy engine with bad MPG... like you already have...
. Your engine was rated like 159 netHP... TMI pistons, RV cam, new timing set, 4 bbl. & intake, and headers gets you to about 375 grossHP easily (all stock parts in good condition)...
. Check with local truck and car enthusiast shops, engine rebuilders, car shows, swap meets, and you may be able to find someone to help you at a reasonable price... $2,000 should easily do what we suggest...
. Your engine was rated like 159 netHP... TMI pistons, RV cam, new timing set, 4 bbl. & intake, and headers gets you to about 375 grossHP easily (all stock parts in good condition)...
. Check with local truck and car enthusiast shops, engine rebuilders, car shows, swap meets, and you may be able to find someone to help you at a reasonable price... $2,000 should easily do what we suggest...
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
. First of all, forget buying an engine or shortblock, unless they'll do it using TMI pistons or modified rods for 351C pistons... (or custom pistons, but that gets real pricey) ... anything else gets you a wimpy engine with bad MPG... like you already have...
. Your engine was rated like 159 netHP... TMI pistons, RV cam, new timing set, 4 bbl. & intake, and headers gets you to about 375 grossHP easily (all stock parts in good condition)...
. Check with local truck and car enthusiast shops, engine rebuilders, car shows, swap meets, and you may be able to find someone to help you at a reasonable price... $2,000 should easily do what we suggest...
. Your engine was rated like 159 netHP... TMI pistons, RV cam, new timing set, 4 bbl. & intake, and headers gets you to about 375 grossHP easily (all stock parts in good condition)...
. Check with local truck and car enthusiast shops, engine rebuilders, car shows, swap meets, and you may be able to find someone to help you at a reasonable price... $2,000 should easily do what we suggest...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 103
From: North Idaho
I began my build with Pistons from TMeyer! And have ordered various smaller parts from him since....
I would suggest you do the same - order pistons now, then when you've saved up enough take them to an engine machine shop and tell then what you want. You want to start your build off right, and that means the right pistons and crank. For what it's worth, I picked up a used 400 - complete, for $60. The only trouble I had was getting the distributor out!
I would suggest you do the same - order pistons now, then when you've saved up enough take them to an engine machine shop and tell then what you want. You want to start your build off right, and that means the right pistons and crank. For what it's worth, I picked up a used 400 - complete, for $60. The only trouble I had was getting the distributor out!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 917
Likes: 14
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Bud - You are probably right, but it depends on a lot of things. Like align-boring, or not. And decking to get zero-deck, or not. And checking for cracked heads, or not. All of those things add up.