400 piston options?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: For School: Big Rapids,MI
400 piston options?
So i know these are options,
1. Buy Tim Meyer's pistons (very good option but costly at $425)
2. Buy 351C pistons and bore the wrist pin out to accept the 400 wristpin (if there is enough material)
3. Buy 351C pistons and bush the 400's small end of the connecting rod to accept 351C wristpins.
I am on a budget so i would like to stay away from Tim's pistons unless i uncover some money i didnt know i had (I wish), so has anyone done 2 or 3? how were the results? how much did it cost to have machine work done ( bore the wrist pin bigger or bush the connecting rods). How is the reliability issues which increasing the wrist pin diameter or bushing the rods and decreasing the wristpin diameter?
Im looking for a ballpark idea. If the options come close to Tim's price i will just pull the trigger one those since its a direct fit.
If anyone who has pulled off 2 or 3 could chime in and give me the details it would be very appreciative!
1. Buy Tim Meyer's pistons (very good option but costly at $425)
2. Buy 351C pistons and bore the wrist pin out to accept the 400 wristpin (if there is enough material)
3. Buy 351C pistons and bush the 400's small end of the connecting rod to accept 351C wristpins.
I am on a budget so i would like to stay away from Tim's pistons unless i uncover some money i didnt know i had (I wish), so has anyone done 2 or 3? how were the results? how much did it cost to have machine work done ( bore the wrist pin bigger or bush the connecting rods). How is the reliability issues which increasing the wrist pin diameter or bushing the rods and decreasing the wristpin diameter?
Im looking for a ballpark idea. If the options come close to Tim's price i will just pull the trigger one those since its a direct fit.
If anyone who has pulled off 2 or 3 could chime in and give me the details it would be very appreciative!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: For School: Big Rapids,MI
My goal is for performance ( i should have included that). i want the CR around 9.3:1 maybe alittle higher or if it has to be alittle lower. stock CR for a 78 is i believe 8:1 or maybe even alittle lower. High CR = more power/ better gas (although i dont care about gas mileage)
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
One not concerned about the mileage need not be concerned about spending the extra bucks for the TM pistons. Is not a fill-up over $75?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
So i know these are options,
1. Buy Tim Meyer's pistons (very good option but costly at $425)
2. Buy 351C pistons and bore the wrist pin out to accept the 400 wristpin (if there is enough material)
3. Buy 351C pistons and bush the 400's small end of the connecting rod to accept 351C wristpins.
I am on a budget so i would like to stay away from Tim's pistons unless i uncover some money i didnt know i had (I wish), so has anyone done 2 or 3? how were the results? how much did it cost to have machine work done ( bore the wrist pin bigger or bush the connecting rods). How is the reliability issues which increasing the wrist pin diameter or bushing the rods and decreasing the wristpin diameter?
Im looking for a ballpark idea. If the options come close to Tim's price i will just pull the trigger one those since its a direct fit.
If anyone who has pulled off 2 or 3 could chime in and give me the details it would be very appreciative!
1. Buy Tim Meyer's pistons (very good option but costly at $425)
2. Buy 351C pistons and bore the wrist pin out to accept the 400 wristpin (if there is enough material)
3. Buy 351C pistons and bush the 400's small end of the connecting rod to accept 351C wristpins.
I am on a budget so i would like to stay away from Tim's pistons unless i uncover some money i didnt know i had (I wish), so has anyone done 2 or 3? how were the results? how much did it cost to have machine work done ( bore the wrist pin bigger or bush the connecting rods). How is the reliability issues which increasing the wrist pin diameter or bushing the rods and decreasing the wristpin diameter?
Im looking for a ballpark idea. If the options come close to Tim's price i will just pull the trigger one those since its a direct fit.
If anyone who has pulled off 2 or 3 could chime in and give me the details it would be very appreciative!
The best option is to bush the rod end. But by the time you pay to bush the rod end then re-balance you will have spent more than the $190 difference in cost between 351C pistons and the TM pistons.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 2,612
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I had always heard either use Tim's pistons or bush the rod ends for 351C pins if looking for higher CR in a 400, never heard anyone boring the wrist pin hole in the pistons out. Also know that many had used Aussie 302C heads but I expect those are about gone.
You mean like these?
Piston Pin Bushing Set of 8 Ford 292 312 V8 1961-64 223-3515 (8) Clevite | eBay
292 bushings huh? I'll have to look into this.
I ran up on a set of Zollner Z3436 pistons and used them ..... but I considered that bushed rod end route for my basement motor that just "hangs out" on a stand so far ..... just figured I'd need custom bushings.
Awe ..... but seriously I doubt I'd change them now though, likely I'll end up selling the motor ..... already have a guy who wants it pretty bad, just hate to let go as long as I have the '77.
Piston Pin Bushing Set of 8 Ford 292 312 V8 1961-64 223-3515 (8) Clevite | eBay
292 bushings huh? I'll have to look into this.
I ran up on a set of Zollner Z3436 pistons and used them ..... but I considered that bushed rod end route for my basement motor that just "hangs out" on a stand so far ..... just figured I'd need custom bushings.
Awe ..... but seriously I doubt I'd change them now though, likely I'll end up selling the motor ..... already have a guy who wants it pretty bad, just hate to let go as long as I have the '77.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: For School: Big Rapids,MI
I dont mind spending money but my budget is low now. By the time this engine is done i will have recovered momey for gas. I cant believe no one else sells a high CR 400 piston.
What cleveland piston would achieve around a 9.5 CR. I tried using the calculators but now entirely sure if im using them right. I i have 76cc heads and felpro 400 head gasket
What cleveland piston would achieve around a 9.5 CR. I tried using the calculators but now entirely sure if im using them right. I i have 76cc heads and felpro 400 head gasket
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 896
Likes: 55
From: Bothell
Don't know if you've been to Tim's web site lately but it now says the pistons come with rings now. I can't see how lower cost 351c pistons with a sub 1.710 compression height and the need to do something to make them fit the rods will work as good or be too far from the cost of TMI pistons.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kyle Wood
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Nov 18, 2016 05:38 AM
choppergeorge2003
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
5
Jan 22, 2014 07:04 PM
393STROKER
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
4
Sep 1, 2011 01:08 PM
Deadman2891
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
7
Jul 4, 2004 11:15 AM