400 help
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: N POWDER
400 help
My Son has asked me to find some info on the web for him so found this Q&A site so her we go. He has a "79" F250 4wd Ranger Crew Cab with a 400 and c6 tranny. The 400 has lived its life and he is looking into the options. The rig is a daily driver but wants some improved performance over stock 400 for his hunting expeditions..options are
1...rebuild the 400. found a 400 rebuild site with some info (would eliminate any adaptations problems).
2...has access (cheap) to a 460 out of a Mark 4 Lincoln, will it bolt up to c6 and motor mounts without any major problems, what problems are lurking there
3...has access to a 390 (supposedly good motor) will it bolt right in? Problems?
I guess the main question is what will bolt to the c6 and stock motor mounts with the least hassle ( other than the stock 400)
Any info would be appreciated...Thanks Neal
neal@eoni.com
1...rebuild the 400. found a 400 rebuild site with some info (would eliminate any adaptations problems).
2...has access (cheap) to a 460 out of a Mark 4 Lincoln, will it bolt up to c6 and motor mounts without any major problems, what problems are lurking there
3...has access to a 390 (supposedly good motor) will it bolt right in? Problems?
I guess the main question is what will bolt to the c6 and stock motor mounts with the least hassle ( other than the stock 400)
Any info would be appreciated...Thanks Neal
neal@eoni.com
Senior User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
400 help
You have come to the right place for help.
The 390 is a good engine, but it will be the most difficult to put in the truck. The transmission bellhousings do not match, you would need to change that also.
The 400 is a wonderfull engine. You can do a low budget, performance build for around $2000, and have plenty of torque.
The 460 will match up to your current transmission bellhousing. You will want to make sure that you get the whole engine with accessories: alternator/bracket, power steering with bracket. I have never done the swap myself. I'm sure one of the other people here have done the swap, and can tell you more specifics on it. Good luck
The 390 is a good engine, but it will be the most difficult to put in the truck. The transmission bellhousings do not match, you would need to change that also.
The 400 is a wonderfull engine. You can do a low budget, performance build for around $2000, and have plenty of torque.
The 460 will match up to your current transmission bellhousing. You will want to make sure that you get the whole engine with accessories: alternator/bracket, power steering with bracket. I have never done the swap myself. I'm sure one of the other people here have done the swap, and can tell you more specifics on it. Good luck
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
400 help
notn, If you don't want to be doing alot of head scratching every little bit go back with the 400. Like mentioned above the 390 is too much work. The 460 is an option that can be achieved, but will still take some homework, My son and I just got through swapping from a 400 to a 460 in our 82. There are just a lot of little things that you don't count on even when you do your homework well. And the picking this and that up here and there can really get into your budget too. I do believe though that the 460 swap would have been easier in your body stlye truck. We had trouble with accessory brackets, power steering pump & lines, motor mounts, throttle cable bracket, oil filter re-location and this does not include the smaller stuff. You must have truck or van exhaust manifolds also.
