400 engine
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400 engine
guys
this is my first post in this forum and i need some suggestions. i reecently acquired a 77 f250 4x4 with a 400/c6. i have been hearing folks bad-mouth the 400 saying that it is a cheap junky smog motor. i have a wealth of experience with 360/390s but NONE with the 400. so, should i just trash the 400/c6 combo and drop in a more reliable 360/np435 assembly?
regards
benj
this is my first post in this forum and i need some suggestions. i reecently acquired a 77 f250 4x4 with a 400/c6. i have been hearing folks bad-mouth the 400 saying that it is a cheap junky smog motor. i have a wealth of experience with 360/390s but NONE with the 400. so, should i just trash the 400/c6 combo and drop in a more reliable 360/np435 assembly?
regards
benj
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Joined: Nov 1999
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400 engine
I have a 400 in a 1980 F350 Tow-truck. I wouldn't have anything else because it's got enormous torque at relatively low rpm. I have had 360s, 429s and 460s but the 400 is IMO, the best of the lot. Mine is a manual four speed with dual rears, I've not driven one with an automatic.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 266
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400 engine
>guys
>this is my first post in this forum and i need some
>suggestions. i reecently acquired a 77 f250 4x4 with a
>400/c6. i have been hearing folks bad-mouth the 400 saying
>that it is a cheap junky smog motor. i have a wealth of
>experience with 360/390s but NONE with the 400. so, should i
>just trash the 400/c6 combo and drop in a more reliable
>360/np435 assembly?
>regards
>benj
The 400 has gotten a bad rap for several reasons:
1) It was never available in performance trim (4v)
2) It is not typically high-revving
3) Shortage of performance parts
4) Shipped in trucks and large (luxury) cars
5) Smogged to death and got poor mileage
Most of these issues can be easily overcome and this engine has a lot of potential, particularly for low-end torque. Unless you would be primarily racing it, I would suggest building it for low-end torque rather than high-RPM horsepower. This would influence your choice of components, particularly cam, intake, and exhaust. Scan the old messages on this board and you will find a wealth of information on waking up a 400.
I have a 1972 351CJ and would gladly trade it for a 400, having owned a 400 previously...
>this is my first post in this forum and i need some
>suggestions. i reecently acquired a 77 f250 4x4 with a
>400/c6. i have been hearing folks bad-mouth the 400 saying
>that it is a cheap junky smog motor. i have a wealth of
>experience with 360/390s but NONE with the 400. so, should i
>just trash the 400/c6 combo and drop in a more reliable
>360/np435 assembly?
>regards
>benj
The 400 has gotten a bad rap for several reasons:
1) It was never available in performance trim (4v)
2) It is not typically high-revving
3) Shortage of performance parts
4) Shipped in trucks and large (luxury) cars
5) Smogged to death and got poor mileage
Most of these issues can be easily overcome and this engine has a lot of potential, particularly for low-end torque. Unless you would be primarily racing it, I would suggest building it for low-end torque rather than high-RPM horsepower. This would influence your choice of components, particularly cam, intake, and exhaust. Scan the old messages on this board and you will find a wealth of information on waking up a 400.
I have a 1972 351CJ and would gladly trade it for a 400, having owned a 400 previously...
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: Jax FL
400 engine
now i get a lot of flak for this, but the 400 is basically an over grown 351c. i am using a 351c build on my 400. so far it looks like, 495hp/484tq. once i get the 4v close chambered heads back from porting, ill have the flow rates, so i can get a more accurate numbers.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
400 engine
>now i get a lot of flak for this, but the 400 is basically
>an over grown 351c. i am using a 351c build on my 400. so
>far it looks like, 495hp/484tq. once i get the 4v close
>chambered heads back from porting, ill have the flow rates,
>so i can get a more accurate numbers.
I don't think anyone would argue with that comparison. What pistons will you be using, and what compression? Thanks...
>an over grown 351c. i am using a 351c build on my 400. so
>far it looks like, 495hp/484tq. once i get the 4v close
>chambered heads back from porting, ill have the flow rates,
>so i can get a more accurate numbers.
I don't think anyone would argue with that comparison. What pistons will you be using, and what compression? Thanks...
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