Building my first 400
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Building my first 400
I'm building a 400 for a neighbor's F-350 flatbed. The truck is going to be used for towing a 5th wheel and hauling supplies for his contracting company. Without going crazy on $ what are some good things to put into this engine.
Posting Legend
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Welcome to FTE!
For towing get a longblock from a reputable rebuilder with local support from a parts house. Keep the compression stock at 8:1 but put on an aftermarket timing chain set for "0". Use the stock intake and carb or go with a 4V aftermarket setup. HD motor setups do not use high compression or aggressive timing etc. Run cast iron exhaust manifolds and dual 2.5" pipes.
For towing get a longblock from a reputable rebuilder with local support from a parts house. Keep the compression stock at 8:1 but put on an aftermarket timing chain set for "0". Use the stock intake and carb or go with a 4V aftermarket setup. HD motor setups do not use high compression or aggressive timing etc. Run cast iron exhaust manifolds and dual 2.5" pipes.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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You said "into" the engine so I assumed a rebuild. If you want things to bolt on, then a new timing set as above and the other options listed without the long block. If the old engine is tired then it is not worth doing anything to. Check compression and hot oil pressure. Get a vacuum gage and check the engine out also according to:
http://www.users.bigpond.com/ergoff/vac1.htm
http://www.users.bigpond.com/ergoff/vac1.htm
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The compression was totally off. 75-80 in 5 cylinders 115 and 117 in two others and like 50-60 in the last one. After teardown found head gasket leaking between cyl 3 and 4, and #1 was broken between the upper rings. The cam is worn and needs to be replaced so a trip to the machine shop is happening. The bores are .030 over, the mains are .020 over, and the rods are .030 over. Also the block turned out to be a recent reman with very little wear. While I obviously want to do a good and lasting rebuild, my neighbor is working on a limited budget so any $ saving will be good. The truck is also getting a C6 with under 1000 miles on it. By the way, the reason I am performing this work is to fund the rebuild of my 75 F-100, 360, 4-spd, 4x4 that was given to me by my Grandma. Who bought it new.
Posting Guru
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From: western montana
You can get some roaring deals on pistons etc through ebay- sometimes discount master rebuild kits. . just an idea if really budget conscious.
search ... ford 351m pistons ....or variations item # 280085005186 is a set starting at $40 ...or pist and rings for $125 item# 180058153019 - cheap gaskets- 190086056998.
I bought a master rebuild kit for a wheezer for 220- decent kit. but not seeing kits on site- the gaskets sucked.
If you want to know what your getting...tmi (sponser) is the guy and from what i've seen is competitve with all other sources.
search ... ford 351m pistons ....or variations item # 280085005186 is a set starting at $40 ...or pist and rings for $125 item# 180058153019 - cheap gaskets- 190086056998.
I bought a master rebuild kit for a wheezer for 220- decent kit. but not seeing kits on site- the gaskets sucked.
If you want to know what your getting...tmi (sponser) is the guy and from what i've seen is competitve with all other sources.
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Thanks for the info. I e-mailed TMI and hope to hear from them tomorrow.
Talked to the guy who's engine it is and we both figure doing it right is the only way.
Talked to the guy who's engine it is and we both figure doing it right is the only way.
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No, a 360 bell housing has a different bolt patern. I would take a good close look at a reman that didn't last. Check Align bore, rod bores, deck flatness, head flatness, pressure check, etc, no stone unturned. You make your own luck in engine building. I came across a "reman" a while ago that bent a push rod, put a new one in, bent again. Turned out they bored the head for new guides but they didn't put them in in that head. Anybody that you let dictate to you how you are to build a engine especially on a "budget" is giong to drag you right down tha drain with them putting a strain on your relationship. Your doing the work putting your name on it, so your the boss.
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