Hey folks!

This question is more suited to the engine forum, but I never have any luck with replies over there, so here goes: The first '60 I bought had a 400 in it. It barely ran, so I was planning on rebuilding it. Since then, I've heard from a few folks that the 400 was notorious for blowing seals and being just plain unreliable. Is this true? I was just wondering whether it's worth the time and money to rebuild it or not. I have a 460 to put in the truck, and I'm going to rebuild the stock 292 in my other '60, so I don't have any immediate plans for the 400. I just don't want to get rid of it, and wish later I hadn't.
BTW, there was more to that "thrill..." post than what was on the forum. I had no problem with that stupid ad. If you really want to know, email me and I'll give you the quick and dirty version. Please keep it off the forum, email only please. Man, I'm going to get booted for sure.

 

the 400 is one of Fords most overlooked engines. it is kind of the like the unwanted relative in the Ford engine family. It was concieved at a time when emissions truly killed what could of been a great performance engine. Big Block power in a small block package (well sorta of, more like mid block size).


the 400, while not the best effort by Ford, is still a very good engine and if built right, can make some incredible power with a little effort.
the problem with the 400 is that they were really choked form the factory with a 2bl carb, lots of emission controls and very bad exhaust ports. then they were mostly put in full size cars with low hp levels. they are just as reliable as any other Ford engine if looked after. they did have a reputation for bad valve guides though. they are based on the Cleveland engine (the famous 351C) so they have lots of potential. there was an article in Car Craft (i think) on where they took a 400 and with very minimual upgrades (swap cams, better pistons, head upgrades, 4 bl carb and intake) and very little money, they were able to get 350hp quite easily out of this engine. they had very large intake ports and valves and great potential.

all that being said, I would go for the 460 anyday over the 400 as there are tons more performance parts available for the 460 and you will get tons more power out of a similiarly built 460.

also the 400 are not that rare and not worth that much to anyone.

so in other words, the 400 while not being a great motor, is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be either.

rgds
Mike

 

Yup, when someone mentions a 400ci you emmediately get a mental image of a station wagon. I have had a couple of them and found them to be a decent, reliable engine. If you are going for a dependable daily driver then it would fit the bill nicely.
I put one in a 1959 Ranchero years ago (I got a major deal on the engine and tranny) it made a great daily driver for numerous years.

If I was going to spend the money on an overhaul I think I'd go with the 460 though.

Good luck
Bobby

 

I've had a 400 in the garage for 5/6 years now waiting a project that never happened.
I have the article mentioned above and was going to use it as a guide.
A week or so ago a guy stopped by to talk Flatheads, he saw the 400 under a pile of Stuff and asked what I was going to do with it.
Anyway, he's going to pick it up tonight, for free.
If another OHV project comes up, I've got a 6500 mile 460 sitting in the wings.

 

I've never heard about a problem with seals on the 400. They run low oil pressure but do it forever. Reports are they are very reliable.

I've got one that will be going in my 77 F150. Upgrade the cam, Weiand intake and 4bbl Street Avenger carb, timing straight up like the '70 version ran and flattop pistons. Nothing wrong with a 460 - I love those too, but if you've got a 400 it should do the job.

edit: ps Code3, thanks for the laugh - everytime I see your tag about duct tape I can't help but laugh. Something about it..............

 

Yea, silence is optimal, but duct tape can achieve the desired results. BTW, thanks all for the info on my 400! I have a 460 and a 292 I'm going to use, but I may just save the 400 for a rainy day.

 

well the only 400 ive been around was in my dads 78 ford pickup and it ran like no other. it was built up with kieth black pistons and some other stuff i don't know my dad bought it like it was.

 

Minimal work to a 460 will get you better mileage than anything you can do to a 400 or its baby brother 351M. Ive owned both and never had problems but they were pure smogger dogs for performance. Most come with the 385 style (429/460) bell and use the C6 but quite a few were special small bell blocks mated to C5's when center console options were ordered. My old 78 Cougar as an example.

If you dont want the weight bias of the 460 sell it and get a 351W. The C4 that mates to the 302/351W/300 I6 are interchangable plus the AOD is also available for this group only.

 

my first question is to the bellhousing bolt pattern. If you have the smaller bolt version, it's definitely worth keeping. If not, it may still be worth keeping, but not as "collector" worthy. Secondly, all one needs to do with a stock 400, is to put a new timing kit in it set at zero degrees...IE 1971 specs. Ford later retarded the base timing to 4 degrees to meet emissions. Around me neck of the woods, a 460 goes for $500.00 in a junkyard. A 400 or 351M goes for $50.00. the 335 series forum has good intel on the 400, like Danlee, Bill Beyer, and TMeyerInc. They are worth keeping in my book.