Replace 400 with 429?
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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Replace 400 with 429?
I bought a 1980 E250 Super Wagon with everything in good condition except the "burned up" 400 engine. The seller told me it got hot, lost coolant and they never drove it again. I tried to check the compression and got several cylinders with no pressure at all. I have a good 429 available if it's not too much trouble to do a swap. Both engines have a C6. Is it worth doing or should I re-build the 400?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
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I don't know a whole lot about vans so I'm not sure if dimensionally their is room for a 429, seeing that some came with 460's I'd say their would be room. The 429 will bolt up to the 400's bellhousing. You will need to swap the mounts, exhaust, etc.
If you've got a running 429 and parts to put it in I'd go for it. Otherwise running 400's can be found somewhat cheap (under $500) Or if you rebuild they can be made to out do the big boys
If you've got a running 429 and parts to put it in I'd go for it. Otherwise running 400's can be found somewhat cheap (under $500) Or if you rebuild they can be made to out do the big boys
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 103
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From: Indiana
Your 429 will work in your van. But you have to use 460 Van exhaust manifolds because there the only ones that will work. Also they use a short intake height. If you really want to do the swap find yourself a Big Block van at boneyard and get frame mounts, motor mounts, exhaust manifolds and radiator. Good Luck
