400, not quite
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 363
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From: east dubuque, il.
400, not quite
first off, i am new to the site so please be patient with me as i am not computer savy. i was given an engine free for the taking and under the impression that it was a 400. wrong, turns out it's fords illegitimate child the 351m. i was working on a long term plan for the 400, but now i need to figure out if it is cheaper to buy a 400 from a junkyard or try to find a new crank and pistons. any input would be greatly appreciated. thanks jamie
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
Likes: 9
From: iowa
First Welcome to FTE,
Basically if you have a good unmolested block then you can find a crank for a 400 pretty easily, heck the block doesn't even have to be good as long as the crank isn't tore up. and since you would be rebuilding it anyway your going to need new pistons and there you have it a 400.
Basically if you have a good unmolested block then you can find a crank for a 400 pretty easily, heck the block doesn't even have to be good as long as the crank isn't tore up. and since you would be rebuilding it anyway your going to need new pistons and there you have it a 400.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Whitehorse Yukon
Hi and welcome
As you have found out , these engines are not easy to identify displacement wise by looking at them. Goin to find one in a salvage yard will require you to determine the engine size which could take a bit of your time. You could try looking in the yellow pages as large metopolitan areas have outifts that sell crankshaft cores or maybe contact a local rebuilder in you area and see if they will sell you one. I got mine for 75.00 from our local engine machine shop. TMI a sponsor of the site www.tmeyerinc.com also sells cranks for 400's if he is close enough to you that shipping wont be cost prohibitive. Give tim a call if he is close by.
You basically have everything you need except the crank and pistons all else is the same.
As you have found out , these engines are not easy to identify displacement wise by looking at them. Goin to find one in a salvage yard will require you to determine the engine size which could take a bit of your time. You could try looking in the yellow pages as large metopolitan areas have outifts that sell crankshaft cores or maybe contact a local rebuilder in you area and see if they will sell you one. I got mine for 75.00 from our local engine machine shop. TMI a sponsor of the site www.tmeyerinc.com also sells cranks for 400's if he is close enough to you that shipping wont be cost prohibitive. Give tim a call if he is close by.
You basically have everything you need except the crank and pistons all else is the same.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
I'd go the crank and pistons route. As others have said, it's not too expensive, and you'll get a nice bump in power with higher compression pistons. And the big advantage is you'll have a nice new bottom end you won't have to worry about.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,628
Likes: 345
From: Albuquerque
I think I would start the machine work on the block and heads before buying a crank. You want to be sure the heads aren't cracked and the block hasn't been overbored too far. Also the earlier heads are better flowing. I believe the year code for the heads is on top under the valve covers.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: east dubuque, il.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: near pittsburgh pa
Might help us if we knew what you wanted out of your 400. Would like to hear your plan on building the engine. Lots of good ideas here!
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 363
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From: east dubuque, il.
my original goal with the 400 was to put it in my 86 f150 4x4. i was thinking of 250-300 hp and 3-400 tq. but that all went out the window when l realized that i have a 351m. now i'm not sure what i am going to do. if i can buy a new crank and pistons for under $500, i wouldn't bother with the junkyard. my build would look something like this. mild cam, flat top pistons, new intake and carb, and maybe some mild head work.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: near pittsburgh pa
beartracks said it right earlier. Get your blocked checked and machined. you are going to want a good crank, junk yard will need checked and machined. Check with your suoolier or machine shop for a crank ready to go. Plus our sposor here Tmeyerinc has great deals and ideas.
Gues you want to write down what you want, price it all, and start with your plan. Good luck and keep us posted.
Gues you want to write down what you want, price it all, and start with your plan. Good luck and keep us posted.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Just to say, 90% or more of the engine in the junk yards in my area still have the stock valve covers w/ a sticker on the drivers side cover, that says what engine it is. It will say 6.6L 400 c.i.d. V8 or 5.8L 351M c.i.d.
The mods you said would be good, and somthing to think about would be a double roller timing chain to get rid of the stock retarded set one and some headers. Headers on a 351M 400 really helps.
The mods you said would be good, and somthing to think about would be a double roller timing chain to get rid of the stock retarded set one and some headers. Headers on a 351M 400 really helps.
