400 build: ideas please

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Nov 9, 2008 | 02:24 PM

Econoline 150

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400 build: ideas please

Its official, the 72 LTD is now my grandsons.

The engine is good, but were going to build a strong 400 for the street.

Turns out one of the 400 I got at that estate auction was recently rebuilt , and has forged pistons and very nice bores.

Any cam ideas, Im thinking a 3 angle valvejob, and a few goodies.

Any input appreciated, thanks

Nov 9, 2008 | 03:22 PM

JBradley500

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From: America

what kind of stuff is on it now? intake and things like that i mean..

Nov 9, 2008 | 03:38 PM

Econoline 150

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JBradley500

what kind of stuff is on it now? intake and things like that i mean..

Looks like std forged flat top pistons, edlebrock street perfromer inake, dont know the cam yet. The block appears to be decked, so Im thinking he tried to bump the compression some (or make the fire deck true), but not to high ?
I dont think it was radically modified, rather just modified slightly.

Nov 9, 2008 | 05:40 PM

MBDiagMan

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From: NE Texas

It sounds like you have a great foundation there. The biggest problem in building a 400 is having the compression ratio. When I built mine 10 years ago, there were no flat top pistons as an option.

I assume that you have a set of regular 400 heads to work with? How wild are you wanting to go with this thing? What gears? What transmission? How will it be driven, street only, street and strip? Strip?

You have some really good pieces to start with. Are headers available for this chassis?

Nov 9, 2008 | 10:59 PM

hollenjoe

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Im guessing your pistons are 351c flat tops that produced 9:1 but still were down in the hole (Piston Down Bore @ TDC(inches)) so the decking could be to set them somewhere near 0 deck, you should have something around 9.5:1... It could have a nice cam... who builds a 400 that way and leaves the stock cam...

Nov 10, 2008 | 11:57 AM

MBDiagMan

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If you have a dial indicator, you could set it up over a push rod and determine the lift. If you know the lift, you can get an idea of the grind that's in there.

Nov 11, 2008 | 02:20 PM

Econoline 150

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MBDiagMan

If you have a dial indicator, you could set it up over a push rod and determine the lift. If you know the lift, you can get an idea of the grind that's in there.

took it to a machine shop, according to the numbers its a Competition cams 252 with a .468 lift.
I checked the clearances, doesnt look like they took any shortcuts when they rebuilt it.
Should be a strong engine for the Galaxie, but dont want my grandson getting into trouble, though. Maybe I better put in one of those smogger 351Ms and play it safe