rebuild help
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New User
Joined: Jun 2006
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rebuild help
hey all,
After about a week of looking through this forum, I am seriously considering rebuilding the '77 400. I know a decent amount about engines but compared to you guys i am the definition of rookie, which is why I come to you for help.
Not to sound like a broken record but i have some questions, like i said I've been paging through this forum for about a week but didnt get the answers i was looking for so here goes.
Thinking about:
-flat top piston
-performer 400 4v intake
-edelbrock 650 carb
-comp cams kit(not sure which to go with)
-duel exhaust
Now for the questions:
-how does the setup sound
-how important is getting the crank balenced
-will i need to make any real modifications to the bottom end with this set up or will a standard rebuild be ok
-where the hell can i flat top pistons? I've googled the damn thing to death
and will cast pistons hold up fine?
This engine will be going in a 6200lb ltd...I wanna wake up the sleeper!! i appreciate any feedback i can get. THanks
After about a week of looking through this forum, I am seriously considering rebuilding the '77 400. I know a decent amount about engines but compared to you guys i am the definition of rookie, which is why I come to you for help.
Not to sound like a broken record but i have some questions, like i said I've been paging through this forum for about a week but didnt get the answers i was looking for so here goes.
Thinking about:
-flat top piston
-performer 400 4v intake
-edelbrock 650 carb
-comp cams kit(not sure which to go with)
-duel exhaust
Now for the questions:
-how does the setup sound
-how important is getting the crank balenced
-will i need to make any real modifications to the bottom end with this set up or will a standard rebuild be ok
-where the hell can i flat top pistons? I've googled the damn thing to death
and will cast pistons hold up fine?
This engine will be going in a 6200lb ltd...I wanna wake up the sleeper!! i appreciate any feedback i can get. THanks
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
You haven't looked very far in this forum if you have not figured out where to get pistons. There are a ton of threads here on that subject and any recent one will show the Forum sponsor TMI as a source.
The engine does not have to be balanced but it is far better if it is. If the engine is an OEM unit not a rebuild it was semi-balanced from the factory. Some rebuilds can not be balanced due to mis-matched parts.
Use the Comp cams 255DEH cam, for a street build for maximum fuel efficiency and power.
Use a multi-keyway aftermarket timing set and set it straight up. Not an OEM replacement from the parts store.
You want an exhaust that works with the engine not fight it so you want a dual exhaust, not a duel exhaust. 2" or 2.25" pipes will work well.
Cast pistons were what the engine came with originally, they seem to hold up.
The engine does not have to be balanced but it is far better if it is. If the engine is an OEM unit not a rebuild it was semi-balanced from the factory. Some rebuilds can not be balanced due to mis-matched parts.
Use the Comp cams 255DEH cam, for a street build for maximum fuel efficiency and power.
Use a multi-keyway aftermarket timing set and set it straight up. Not an OEM replacement from the parts store.
You want an exhaust that works with the engine not fight it so you want a dual exhaust, not a duel exhaust. 2" or 2.25" pipes will work well.
Cast pistons were what the engine came with originally, they seem to hold up.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jun 2006
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I knew i could get pistons from TMI i just didnt know how, if they had a website or what.
I figured duAl exhaust would work for this. Suppose headers would be better but didnt know where to get them for this application. I would prefer used ones as apposed to spending $600 on a set.
The engine is bone stock right now with about 90,000 miles. I want an engine with torque more than something i can do 140 in....somethin to burn up the wanna be ricers with... you know the little kids that pimp out berettas and contours.
The car's really grown on me and i love the way it rides.. and i could always throw the engine in a bronco or somthin when i get sick of the ltd.
I figured duAl exhaust would work for this. Suppose headers would be better but didnt know where to get them for this application. I would prefer used ones as apposed to spending $600 on a set.
The engine is bone stock right now with about 90,000 miles. I want an engine with torque more than something i can do 140 in....somethin to burn up the wanna be ricers with... you know the little kids that pimp out berettas and contours.
The car's really grown on me and i love the way it rides.. and i could always throw the engine in a bronco or somthin when i get sick of the ltd.
Last edited by tbirdriver01; Jun 9, 2006 at 12:07 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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Milling the heads or block to increase compression can cause problems with valvetrain geometry and intake manifold fitting. With a 255DEH or other short duration cam you don't want to get carried away with compression if you want it to run well on pump gas. I'd look for an earlier set of heads without the compromised exhaust port and have a set of 460 valves fitted.
The biggest change in performance will likely come from a gear swap. 3.25-3.50 is about as far as you want to go without an overdrive. It's counterproductive toward gas mileage but likely what it will take for a land yacht to "burn up the wanna be ricers".
The biggest change in performance will likely come from a gear swap. 3.25-3.50 is about as far as you want to go without an overdrive. It's counterproductive toward gas mileage but likely what it will take for a land yacht to "burn up the wanna be ricers".
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: western montana
the flattop you want are Badgers TMI has a link as the sponser of this forum. If you change the pistons and go with comps 255deh and the 3key timing set up youd be fine and no decking needed other than making sure all is straight which usually takes off less than 005 and is not an issue. If you want a bit more pep than the 255deh...look at comps XE256- still get good economy but a bit more lift and flow. You will be amazed at the power of this motor with these mods. If smog isn't an issue you can get the performer intake from edelbrock and I'd go with a 600cfm carb- don't need anymore than that and will not gain with 650 but could hurt economy.
The badger pistons are hard to come by and TMI sells everything you need. you can save some $$ on ebay if your struggling to get the parts but tmi also has the info you need to get it done...as well as this site.
The badger pistons are hard to come by and TMI sells everything you need. you can save some $$ on ebay if your struggling to get the parts but tmi also has the info you need to get it done...as well as this site.
