Greetings All.......
I have purchased a 1978 f-250. I was told that it had a 400 in it. The body is in very good shape for the age. I checked the vin before I bought it and it indicated that the truck came with a 400. I was over at my parents after I had purchased the truck. I was putting the charger on the truck due to a starting problem that I was working on. The truck has difficulty starting after being driven for over 10 minutes. I thought that maybe the timing was advanced to far or maybe a burned valve. It was dusk when I was hooking the charger up and I had placed my flashlight on the ground infront of the truck. I noticed as I looked down into the engine compartment that I had a big problem taht had gone unoticed. My passenger frame has been cut into with a torch to allow the exahust manifold to fit!!! Question that I have is this something u guys have run into if some one tries to fit a 460 in instead of the 400?? I will try to find some numbers on the block this weekend. Also, what should I do about the cut in my frame?? I have a friend that is a welding inspector and I trust to weld. Thanks for all the info that comes my way!!!

 

Someone could have put on a car exhaust manifold...

 

I can't believe anybody would cut into a frame, even after all that I've seen! What kind of maroon would actually do that?

Very easy to tell the difference between a 429/460 and a 400. Look at the thermostat housing. The 400 housing is mounted vertically on top of the block. It has a dry intake manifold, so the housing is on the block. You have to look closely, but you can see that the housing definitely is not mounted on the manifold.

A 429/460 housing mounts on the front of the intake manifold. This one is easy to spot.

Your hot starting problem is a common one, and is almost always caused by gasoline flooding the manifold. There are two causes of this.

The carbs from this era used phenolic floats. When they get old, they start soaking up gasoline and let the level in the float bowl get too high. Replace the float.

The other cause is lack of the proper carb spacer between the carb and manifold. This causes the carb to get too hot, and the gas boils, spilling into the manifold. Install a carb spacer.

 

sorry to hear that. It's amazing how bad some guys hack a truck, then sell it when they f-it all up. Mine had one bolt holding the fuel pump on, fuel leak, dead battery, wipers not working cuz ground wire was off and linkage bolt wasn't torqued, 2 chokes hooked up (electric and hot air pipes, but neither was working), a plugged fuel filter, exhaust falling off, 3 missing body mount nuts and bolts for the lift kit, and the list goes on. Basically everything the kid did, he butchered, but fortunately he farmed out the paint job and engine installation, so it was worth the price ($1800). But now I'm de-moron-ing my truck for the last 5 days since I bought it (last Sunday), which it sounds like you are too. Keep picking away. Yesterday I adjusted the fenders out, they were hitting the doors. Get this, I still don't have a key, he was starting it with a button, so I can't lock my doors.

Some guys...they should never pick up or even LOOK at a wrench, cuz most likely, they have the wrong size in their hand...I call them stripped bolt mechanics.

If that frame is cut and not re-attached, get it plated and welded by a competent welder. My truck also wouldn't start when hot, it was a bad battery, changed it out for a $30 Advance Auto one, now it's fixed. Take your old one in and they will test load it. Also make sure the system is charging.

 

Also check the starter wire for the right size should be 4 gauge I think and make sure it is routed away from the manifold so it doesnt get hot, If the wire gets too hot it builds more resistance and will cause your starting problem could also be worn out windings in starter.