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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 11:39 PM
  #1  
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need engine swap advice

i have a 79 f-250 custom 4x4 with a 400(i think). would like more power. thanks for any help.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 12:17 AM
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Turn the 400 into a monster engine (see its engine forum) or drop in a 429/460.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 01:47 AM
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First you need to figure out what size engine you got, usually the vin# can tell you if it's the original or sticker in front of radiator or fan cowling are there general places. You need to know what type of transmission you have also for compatibility for larger ingines, again vin # has the code, with this info. any ford shop can tell you what you have.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 03:03 AM
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Originally Posted by flamebuster
First you need to figure out what size engine you got, usually the vin# can tell you if it's the original or sticker in front of radiator or fan cowling are there general places. You need to know what type of transmission you have also for compatibility for larger ingines, again vin # has the code, with this info. any ford shop can tell you what you have.

I'd go out on a limb, if it's the stock motor a 351m/400. Not stock motor, i.e. a swapped in motor, then it's just left to Darwins' Grabbag then.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 06:49 PM
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From: where the deer and antelo
Cllaaaasss,, can you say CUMMINS?
Thats what I'd do. I mean did.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 08:46 PM
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you can build up a 400 just like any other SBF. there's aftermarket everything and the prices are very close no matter what you're looking for.

i did a pretty serious build to mine and started out going for a iron headed, flat tappet cam deal but i got carried away and have what you see in my sig. darn peer pressure.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2009 | 10:29 AM
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L and L products.com.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2009 | 10:43 AM
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If you post the codes off the engine or the valve cover bolt pattern we should be able to norrow it down for you. If it is a 351M/400 you will have to drop the oil pan to get the crank code to know for sure which it is. If it is the 351M then change the crank and pistons and make it a 400. The 400 can be built into a very strong motor with aftermarket pistons, the right cam, 4bbl, and headers. Check out the engine forum and you'll get a good idea of what is possible. Any of the engines from this era could use a bump in compression ratio, a nice cam, and free flowing exhaust. Just make sure you do your homework so you get it right the first time.
 
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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 01:36 AM
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Welcome to FTE man! Come join the MT Chapter for some local help!
 
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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 01:48 AM
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Before you consider cummins, think and smell of the stench and noise. I gag at every light I have to stop near a dudge cummins-a 3408 smells better, on a bad day.
If your deaf, and have no sense of smell=cummins!
 
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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 01:54 AM
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From: Four Corners, MT
Originally Posted by Thunderjet4x4
Before you consider cummins, think and smell of the stench and noise. I gag at every light I have to stop near a dudge cummins-a 3408 smells better, on a bad day.
If your deaf, and have no sense of smell=cummins!
Dude, drive a Cummins, then speak.
The '91 I'm driving is so much fun.
Even with open exhaust, it's not too loud at all.
When the turbo spools and pushes you back a bit, that's an awesome feeling.

YouTube - Dodge Ram cummins drag racer

Any truck can be loud and make you gag, but Cummins get amazing gas mileage and it's a lot of truck.

Cummins swap if you want torque bro!
 
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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 02:24 AM
  #12  
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From: Southern Oregon USA
Originally Posted by Thunderjet4x4
Before you consider cummins, think and smell of the stench and noise. I gag at every light I have to stop near a dudge cummins-a 3408 smells better, on a bad day.
If your deaf, and have no sense of smell=cummins!
Kinda hard to fit a 3408 under the hood of an F250, though.

Love the smell, and the rattle of a 12V Cummins, and that straight pipe bark.
The ability to easily make over 1000 ft/lbs of torque and crazy hp numbers.
Fuel mileage double that of nearly any BBF, with the right tuning.

If you can see through the smoke, that's my tail lights in front of you. Probably wouldn't smell so bad if you could get out in front.

I love my diesels, but they're not for everybody.

Jason
 
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Old Mar 23, 2009 | 04:33 PM
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From: where the deer and antelo
Originally Posted by Thunderjet4x4
Before you consider cummins, think and smell of the stench and noise. I gag at every light I have to stop near a dudge cummins-a 3408 smells better, on a bad day.
If your deaf, and have no sense of smell=cummins!
You havn't ever smelled a 3208 on a cold day/cold start. After they warm up they still stink. I'll take the smell of a Cummins over the 3208. I'm not raggin on the CAT, I have two of them. They are a good engine and move the digger derrick and bucket truck down the road. If you are driving either one of them you don't have to worry about the smell.

I'll take the power, noise and 23 MPG I get over the 8 MPG my 460 had any day of the week.
 
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 04:37 AM
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if you can still find them i think an 1160 v8 cat would be a good diesel for an older truck
 
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