I have a pile of questions I will try to throw into a few sentences bare with me. I have a 95 4.9 and am considering going to a carbed v-8 for ease of install and maintenance (at this time there are no emissions test in my area so I can install anything). I have been exploring the modifying of the six but, would also like to get some info as far as the eight just so I know my options. I have a mazda tranny at this time and was wondering what will bolt up to it (351 0r higher) at this time as this is a daily driver and I am going to take it in steps such as build motor then tranny then run occasionally at the strip. What about a 400m I can get one not running probably for nothing so that is an option, how well do these do as far as modifications and would it even work? I saw were they stopped making the 400 around 82 so I would imagine motor mounts would be scarce any thoughts? I would like to stick with the 5 speed, like the control. I am not ruling out the 302 (or 347) but, I have not been a fan of it in a truck any comments to enlighten me is welcome. I know this is a lot to ask but I have time, this is something I plan to do over a couple of years as the truck only has 70,000 on it and I don't plan on messing up a good thing. The target hp I am looking for is around 350+ as I would like to make a good showing at the strip and still be able to pass up a gas station every once in a while. Thank you for your time, any and all comments will be appreciated

 

Anybody out there

 

The 400 won't bolt to your bellhousing. Stick with a 302 or 351W for ease of swapping or be prepared to swap the bellhousing or tranny.

 

And you'll have a bit of a chore ($) getting 350 HP out of a 302 or 351. You may be better off looking for a boneyard engine and matching manual transmission and then just rebuild them. If you go with a 400, there are several pages on the web on building one to about 350-380 HP. No big secret - up the compression to 9.5:1 or so, put in a decent cam, aftermarket intake and carb, plus headers and a good exhaust. Oh yeah - lose the factory retarded timing chain and install a good aftermarket (non-retarded) one - this alone is good for 30 HP.

If you want 350 HP out of a large carbureted ford V8, forget passing by any gas stations. You should expect to get 12-14 MPG at best. I once had a built up 400 in a Ranchero with an automatic, and got 8 in town and 12 MPG on the highway if I kept my foot out of it (which was impossible). Good luck!

Tom