I bought a 78 bronco as a project truck. The engine was seized when I bought it. I pulled the oil pan off to find antifreeze, busted rod in pan and another piston is twisted in the cylinder. I knew this could be a possibility but I was hoping for a rebuildable block. I have not taken the heads off yet. Would they be rebuildable? I need to find another block/crank at the yards. What cars or trucks should I look for? About how much would these cost? I live in Denver, CO. if anyone has the above parts.

The bronco has a c6,4.11 gears dana44 ford 9",4" lift,3" body lift,custom 4" tube bumpers(heavy). I plan I putting 35" tires. Can a rebuilt 400 that runs on pump gas move this beast with authority or would a 460 be better? Sorry for the long post. This project will be a big learning experience for me.Thanks

 

You cant rebulid the block if it has a lot of damage. that one sounds like it is busted up inside. good thing you can find these blocks all over in junk yards and they are cheap. remember to save anything useful on your block because if you buy another block it will most likely be stripped of parts and you will need a reference guide (chilton) to put it back together. A rebuild is a big project but fortunately doesnt have to cost a lot. There are tons of these blocks that are the 351 variety so get a book on them and get the right one the first time a 400 makes a lot more power than a 351. the 351/400/429/460 are all the same family a guide will show you which one is the best for your money and application. thank you
79 f150 400m 2wd
71 f100 390 4wd 401 hp
68 f100 390 2wd 475 hp

 

I'm sorry Matt
But the 351/400/429/460 are not all the same family. The share the same bellhousing bolt pattern but the 429/460 is a 385 Series and the 351M/400 is a 335 Series.

 

well I went to the local u pull salvage yard..not much of a selection right now. I did find a 76 lincoln ltd..valve cover sticker says 400 engine d6ae9c485aaf. And also a 72 mercury marquis sticker says 429 engine d2538c485aa. Are any of these viable choices for my project truck? I will look more. Thanks for the info guys.

 

Cruise the neighborhoods and look for mid-70s full-size Fords and Mercurys (especially T-birds) sitting in folk's back yards. These will usually have either 351M's or 400's or 460's. You might be able to pick up an entire donor car for what you'll pay for just a motor from a salvage yard.

 

Either the 429 or 460 will boltup to the tranny in place of your 400...but the motor mounts will be alittle different for the 429\460....that 429 would be a real screamer in your bronco with a littlte TLC and the appropriate parts......L&L in dallas,tx specializes in conversion parts to accomplish the project that you want to do!!!fd

 

This salvage yard is gonna charge me $130.00 but I have to pull it out myself. Anyone dealt with B&M Engine supply on Ebay? They have bare blocks for sale. If I stay with the 400 this might work for me. Is the 429 a good torque motor or is it more of a high rpm screamer? Thanks

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Jan-03 AT 09:10 PM (EST)]Definetly pull that block If it is seized or busted up they will give you a refund or let you take another one. Around here they charge me 180 for the short block and they check it to make sure thats all it is. also check to see if theyu have a core pile you can look through these engines are already pulled but they might go quicker so i'd stop by after work every other day. When you are looking at the engine check the dipstick and see that the oil is clear. If not don't mess with it they will only give you trouble. Since you are not in dire need yet you can afford to look around for the best parts and ford made them stock, so I would not try to buy an aftermarket block or try to force another one to fit they can become very expensive. Take a look at Shazam's truck there are a lot of things you can do to make real power come out of this engine especially with a good tranny and rear end. You can usually get some help pulling this block from a couple good friends or the yard may charge you something to do it. Make sure to ask permission to drive in the yard and get your truck close the yard should have some heavy machinery that can lift that engine out quickly make sure the engine is secured when you unbolt it nobody around you will be able to lift it off without a hoist or forklift. Be very careful old engines have claimed many hands and fingers.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Jan-03 AT 10:11 PM (EST)]Thanks guys you have been a great help. I went back to the salvage yard to get the casting number on the block and the crank on the 400 engine in the 1976 lincoln. They want $130 if I pull it myself. I don't have the cash for the xtra costs associated with getting the 429 to fit in my 78 bronco. The number on the block behind the starter was D7TE A2. The only number on the crank I could see (couldnt get the oil pan completely off without pulling the motor) was 5MAB. After looking at bubbas wonderful mblock site http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ebubbaf250/parts/parts02.html and comparing the numbers:
Engine block ID
Model Year 1977-1982
Part Number D7TE-6010-A
Casting ID
D7TE-A1A
D7TE-A2A <---this?
D7TE-A2B <---or this?
D7TE-A3A
Notes CF or MCC foundry code. Reinforced main webs. 351M/400 truck only

Crankshaft ID

Model Year 1977-1982
Part Number D7TE-6303-A
Casting ID 5MAB
Notes All '78-up 400 car and '77-up 400 truck.

Hmmm this engine is sitting in a 1976 lincoln. Does this suggest that this motor was rebuilt before? Transplanted from a later year car or truck? Would this engine maybe be already bored out? I have to pull this engine myself and hope it is worth the effort. ie it has already been bored out beyond rebuild.

 

the motor is probably stock i think ford ran a few test editions of this block it is nearly identical to the cleveland. I doubt anybody would go through a lot to save a 76 lincoln. congrats on finding the engine. Somebody probably just drove the car in so the engine should be totally functional dont be surprised if it is a gas guzzler most never got above 10mpg good luck putting it together. The 400 is an excellent engine.

 

Well it of to plan b..The car was gone when I went back to salvage yard early this morning. The funny thing I was there a half hour before closing yesterday when they said it was too late to pull motor. So I showed up this morning as soon as they opened to get the engine and the car was gone. The only thing they said is that the car was prolly about 2 feet tall now.. crushed! What a major bummer..oh well maybe it's a sign to go with a 460 instead. I know this is a popular swap in these bronco's 78/79 but I am concerned about the emmisions legality of the swap. I mean the only thing emmision on the 78 bronco I have is the egr. No smog pump. I live in denver co. That 429 may be a callin me..that car was still there..

 

It's a wonder that some junkyards have enough sense to stay in business. I'd keep trying for a 400, since money is tight and a 460 swap may have a lot of little expenses. Remember a 351 has the same block as the 400, and the 400 crank, damper and flywheel (and pistons)are different. Check to see how bad your crank is, maybe it's turnable. Since you have a damper and the flywheel, maybe that will allow you to find and use a 351M for the block (maybe better availability). I know that in about a week I'll have a complete worn-out 351 ready to sell, so there must be others like me in your area.

 

Hey that info is good keep looking the 400 is a good block Keep looking. If you find one of the 351 M engines It has to be bored .30 or .40 over to accomodate the pistons the throw is longer so keep your heads and stuff I dont know what the cost of the bore job will be in your area. Good luck. Check that junkyards core pile or go to a local recycling facility and look through there core pile that is where your engine ended up and they dont crush engines or transmissions. I gotta go lunch break is over.

 

go with the 429 and you won't regreat it the only thing you will have to have fixed is the exhuast the motor mount's you can do yourselve just take a little creative thinking make sure to get the flywheel with the 429 and any extra parts like power streering alt ac brackets If you lived closer I'd swap you a good running 400'm and a couple rebuildable one for the 429 down here I can pick up a whole car for about $200 to $400 and drive it home that has a 400'm

FORDS always look better when pulling a CHEVY

 

he doesnt have a 429 and i dont think he needs to suck more gas for the same power also making mods is difficult. stick with a 400