"New" 400 build
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 874
Likes: 56
From: Merlin, OR
"New" 400 build
Hi guys. Got a 400 off of FB marketplace. Came out of a 1980 150 or 250. Not sure which. Person had disassembled it in preparation to rebuild it. He thought it was a 351m and when he saw it was a 400, he decided to go a different route. I got the complete engine and all the disassembled parts for $50.00. I want to rebuild it and put it in my 78 F250 eventually. I don't want a race engine. Good torque, good throttle response and reliability are what I'm looking for. Would like to do the usual. Get it hot tanked, measured, magnafluxed, etc etc. I'm open to getting different heads, valve springs/rockers, upgraded cam, straight up timing. Might be able to be talked into more as well. But just a typical refresh/rebuild for the most part. Also, anyone know of a good machine shop in or around Portland, Oregon? Thanks!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 103
From: North Idaho
Thatsrealnice,
I'd suggest a roller cam before cylinder heads - for longevity. If you want aftermarket heads, a Trick Flow Power Port or Edelbrock Performer RPM would suite your build very well. Is your F250 a 4x4? Manual or automatic? Gears & tires? More details are helpful.
I'd suggest a roller cam before cylinder heads - for longevity. If you want aftermarket heads, a Trick Flow Power Port or Edelbrock Performer RPM would suite your build very well. Is your F250 a 4x4? Manual or automatic? Gears & tires? More details are helpful.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 874
Likes: 56
From: Merlin, OR
Thatsrealnice,
I'd suggest a roller cam before cylinder heads - for longevity. If you want aftermarket heads, a Trick Flow Power Port or Edelbrock Performer RPM would suite your build very well. Is your F250 a 4x4? Manual or automatic? Gears & tires? More details are helpful.
I'd suggest a roller cam before cylinder heads - for longevity. If you want aftermarket heads, a Trick Flow Power Port or Edelbrock Performer RPM would suite your build very well. Is your F250 a 4x4? Manual or automatic? Gears & tires? More details are helpful.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 896
Likes: 55
From: Bothell
There is a lot you can do on a 400. Cam and timing chain will make a big difference. A roller cam will ensure longevity and due to their lobe ramp design they usually produce more power across the entire RPM range. Aside from that a roller cam almost eliminates the chance of a flat cam lobe on break-in.
After the cam and chain the next big change is pistons. There are not a lot of options. Stock pistons have very low compression and are still sensitive to detonation due to the lack of piston to head quench. Tim Meyer offers pistons designed for the stock 400 heads. If you choose to go with aftermarket heads you are almost certainly stuck with custom pistons. For reference a 62cc head with 0 deck pistons require 30+cc’d of piston dish to keep the compression at 9.5:1. Some aftermarket heads are available with 72-74 but those still require special pistons.
Tim Meyer offers some special cam bearings that divert more oil where it’s needed and you may want to look into this. Some people say you don’t need it but I don’t know anyone who is upset with the results.
Your intake and carb will work well with this new motor.
After the cam and chain the next big change is pistons. There are not a lot of options. Stock pistons have very low compression and are still sensitive to detonation due to the lack of piston to head quench. Tim Meyer offers pistons designed for the stock 400 heads. If you choose to go with aftermarket heads you are almost certainly stuck with custom pistons. For reference a 62cc head with 0 deck pistons require 30+cc’d of piston dish to keep the compression at 9.5:1. Some aftermarket heads are available with 72-74 but those still require special pistons.
Tim Meyer offers some special cam bearings that divert more oil where it’s needed and you may want to look into this. Some people say you don’t need it but I don’t know anyone who is upset with the results.
Your intake and carb will work well with this new motor.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 874
Likes: 56
From: Merlin, OR
There is a lot you can do on a 400. Cam and timing chain will make a big difference. A roller cam will ensure longevity and due to their lobe ramp design they usually produce more power across the entire RPM range. Aside from that a roller cam almost eliminates the chance of a flat cam lobe on break-in.
After the cam and chain the next big change is pistons. There are not a lot of options. Stock pistons have very low compression and are still sensitive to detonation due to the lack of piston to head quench. Tim Meyer offers pistons designed for the stock 400 heads. If you choose to go with aftermarket heads you are almost certainly stuck with custom pistons. For reference a 62cc head with 0 deck pistons require 30+cc’d of piston dish to keep the compression at 9.5:1. Some aftermarket heads are available with 72-74 but those still require special pistons.
Tim Meyer offers some special cam bearings that divert more oil where it’s needed and you may want to look into this. Some people say you don’t need it but I don’t know anyone who is upset with the results.
Your intake and carb will work well with this new motor.
After the cam and chain the next big change is pistons. There are not a lot of options. Stock pistons have very low compression and are still sensitive to detonation due to the lack of piston to head quench. Tim Meyer offers pistons designed for the stock 400 heads. If you choose to go with aftermarket heads you are almost certainly stuck with custom pistons. For reference a 62cc head with 0 deck pistons require 30+cc’d of piston dish to keep the compression at 9.5:1. Some aftermarket heads are available with 72-74 but those still require special pistons.
Tim Meyer offers some special cam bearings that divert more oil where it’s needed and you may want to look into this. Some people say you don’t need it but I don’t know anyone who is upset with the results.
Your intake and carb will work well with this new motor.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 349
From: Albuquerque
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 801
Likes: 7
From: Toledo, Ohio
Vastly better TMI pistons plus mild cam and timing chain will prolly give all the power you want...
https://www.tmeyerinc.com
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-k5201
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...1r-9/make/ford
https://www.tmeyerinc.com
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-k5201
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...1r-9/make/ford
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