i was wondering if they ever made a overdrive tranny to mate to a 400

 

I think they made an electronic tranny in the later model trucks, that went to a 460. That would probably bolt up, but would need a computer to run it.

 

Doesn't the M engines have the same bolt pattern as Clevelands? I'm sure they made an OD tranny for it.

 

The 400 shares the same bolt pattern as the 460, even though it is almost a carbon copy of the 351 cleveland
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I am not aware of anyone offering a computer stand-alone system for an E40D computer controlled overdrive tranny. the E40d is the only overdrive that would bolt up to the 400.
However, if you must absolutely must have an overdrive, my best suggestion would be to get an AOD(not AODE) from a 92-93 ford e-van equipped with a 351w. These AOD's are the only AOD's equipped with the 2-inch overdrive band( the others are pretty wimpy)(hooray! I can tow something!!)and have the bigger clutch baskets, which should be pretty durable for a stock 400. The problem is, this tranny does not fit a 400. Never fear, there are a couple of companies that have Bellhousings(I am not selling anything!!!) such as Performance Automatic that allows you to cut off the old bellhousing and and bolt on the new one(it attaches to the front pump).allowing it to be bolted up to the 400(or 460)
You will need to also purchase the Lokar TV cable kit from whoever you know sells it
You will probably have a C-6 tranny behind it, you will need to get a driveshaft setup for an AOD or C4
Reccomended modifications.....
A trans-go aod h-p shift kit(may want to stay from the Governorhi-speed portion of the kit, 400's are torque motors and do not need to shift at 6000 rpm like my 351 windsor does)

2000-2200 stall NON-LOCKUP torque convertor(3rd and 4th gear are always locked to the convertor shell, causing major bogs, test drive a late 80's Crown Vic to see what I am talking about. Plus with the torque that the 400 puts out will cause the stock convertor to balloon, [hell the stock 302's make the convertors balloon], eventually taking out the front pump and no. 3 thrust bearing in the engine).

An "A-Plus" overdrive servo kit(more towing mods)
Get the largest tranny cooler you can find and install it.

You will need a holley 500cfm two barrel or other size 4 barrel to hook up to to the Lokar TV cable kit; the kit is setup fot the holley 4 barrel carb.
I am probably forgetting something.......good luck

 

I think Baumann make a stand alone controller for E4OD and 4R70W trannies, go to www.baumannengineering.com .

 

351C shares bolt pattern of small block and 300 six.

Chuck

 

The answer to your question is yes, but only in the 80 to 86 Crown vic Cop cars. They had if requested, a 400ci 2bbl V8w 4spd OD Auto.

 

It's the 351W/5.8L that's the same pattern as the 302/5.0L & 300/4.9L.
http://www.advanceadapters.com/index515.html AA has a chart showing the engine families.