making a 400 powerful
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Hello- Welcome to FTE! Check out the list of tech forums we have on FTE. There is a wealth of information and expertise here to help you. There are a number of links in my sig below to help you also. Have fun! 
Check with the Forum sponsor TMI.
http://www.tmeyerinc.com/
Check with the Forum sponsor TMI.
http://www.tmeyerinc.com/
Last edited by Torque1st; Apr 22, 2006 at 07:52 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 0
From: western montana
there are a lot of options and you can make a 400 put out solid numbers without stoking. The 400 is already a stroked cleveland it just needs to be upgraded to it's original design before the smog **** took it down.
1. increase compression. You will be able to buy heads from australia and pistons to match from TMI- he sponsers the 335 forum. Add a rv type cam, roller lifters and double timing chain straight up, edelbrock 4bbl carb and you will be well over 300hp and 430ft lbs of torque with an engine that will give you better gas mileage than stock. It's not a huge expense and you can get near similar results even cheaper by using flattop pistons with the other stuff.
There is absolutely no need for more power than this in a non race truck- it will pull and drive beautifully and have lots of giddyup when you want to merge traffic. Friends will wonder how a ford 400 which was considered a boat anchor got to be so good.
There are other, more expensive options like the stroker kit from TMI as well- go to his site and read his build- search this forum for build specs- a TON of info. The 400 is coming into it's own as the premier ford truck motor.
1. increase compression. You will be able to buy heads from australia and pistons to match from TMI- he sponsers the 335 forum. Add a rv type cam, roller lifters and double timing chain straight up, edelbrock 4bbl carb and you will be well over 300hp and 430ft lbs of torque with an engine that will give you better gas mileage than stock. It's not a huge expense and you can get near similar results even cheaper by using flattop pistons with the other stuff.
There is absolutely no need for more power than this in a non race truck- it will pull and drive beautifully and have lots of giddyup when you want to merge traffic. Friends will wonder how a ford 400 which was considered a boat anchor got to be so good.
There are other, more expensive options like the stroker kit from TMI as well- go to his site and read his build- search this forum for build specs- a TON of info. The 400 is coming into it's own as the premier ford truck motor.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Pa
Originally posted by Roger Dowty
"There is absolutely no need for more power than this in a non race truck- "
Roger please!
Of course there is need for more power. 
That's why we are all here. We're addicted and there is no cure. We must have more power!!!! 
"There is absolutely no need for more power than this in a non race truck- "
Roger please!
Of course there is need for more power. That's why we are all here. We're addicted and there is no cure. We must have more power!!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 0
From: western montana
i said no NEED...want and greed are a whole different topic. As is lust.
I just ended up with a set of '65 289 hi-po heads with closed chambers- theyre tiny after porting the 400's- TINY. supposed to make BIG power....chuckle.
I just ended up with a set of '65 289 hi-po heads with closed chambers- theyre tiny after porting the 400's- TINY. supposed to make BIG power....chuckle.
