351M or 400 question
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
351M or 400 question
i plan on buyin a 79 f150/250 in the near future, and itll eaither have the 351 or 400 in it obviously..ill keep whatever it is that the truck has. My question is if anyone can guesstimate how much i'd be makin out of the 351 and the 400 with these mods id do to it:
- headers to 3" straight pipes, maybe cherry bombs if i feel like it
- Weiand Action+Plus Intake Manifold or better suggestions
- a decent 600cfm carb (SUGGESTIONS PLEASE)
- double roller timing chain, since after reading up info, this seams to be a good idea
- a mild cam (look at summit because i live right buy it and don't wanna have to order online) (AND DEFINATELY NEEDING SUGGESTIONS ON THIS ONE I DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOW TO BUILD ENGINES when it comes to choosing a good cam.) the only requirement is that it doesnt need any modifications to the engine. I'm not gettin big on the engine till the way far away future
- Port and polish???
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,491
Likes: 2,806
If you are going to do all that, tear it down, new bearings, make sure the rods & crank are good, and put some pistons in there with some compression. Stock compression is pretty low on these, and combined with the stock retarded cam timing, is the major power killer in these engines. Beware the stock heads too--some crack, and reworking them might be nearly as expensive as aftermarket heads.
If you get a 351m, most suggest converting to a 400, ymmv.
Good luck.
If you get a 351m, most suggest converting to a 400, ymmv.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
If you are going to do all that, tear it down, new bearings, make sure the rods & crank are good, and put some pistons in there with some compression. Stock compression is pretty low on these, and combined with the stock retarded cam timing, is the major power killer in these engines. Beware the stock heads too--some crack, and reworking them might be nearly as expensive as aftermarket heads.
If you get a 351m, most suggest converting to a 400, ymmv.
Good luck.
If you get a 351m, most suggest converting to a 400, ymmv.
Good luck.
are the any pistons out there that make more compression but fit stock?
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,491
Likes: 2,806
You will want to check the block, determine what overbore to use, and order pistons proabably at .030 over, THEN have the block bored and honed to fit the pistons with a recommended piston clearance. You would be poorly served to simply put stock sized pistons with new rings back into a worn bore.
Parts, info, examples:
TMeyer, Inc. - 400 Ford Engine Project
Parts, info, examples:
TMeyer, Inc. - 400 Ford Engine Project
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
You will want to check the block, determine what overbore to use, and order pistons proabably at .030 over, THEN have the block bored and honed to fit the pistons with a recommended piston clearance. You would be poorly served to simply put stock sized pistons with new rings back into a worn bore.
Parts, info, examples:
TMeyer, Inc. - 400 Ford Engine Project
Parts, info, examples:
TMeyer, Inc. - 400 Ford Engine Project
well i could do that, and from what others have told me, shave ten thousandths off the heads to create a better fit?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 368
Likes: 3
From: Longview Tx
put in some 351C flat top pistons, clean the heads up, at least a comp 268 cam, headers, 600 carb, and high energy coil. that should suite you for a while
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Ohio
IMO, shaving heads will true up the surface, and that's a good thing. It's not meant to increase compression.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
dumb quesiton prolly but where can i find cleveland flat tops online?
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
thanks for the info..just makin sure, any little inexpensive way i can make horses is what i wanna know
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,491
Likes: 2,806
google "ford pistons" and find
Speed-Pro Powerforged Ford Pistons - JEGS
and others, or search "cleveland pistons", etc.
I do not know if the compression height etc on the C piston will work in the M engine, but you can research that out too with the previous link or other sources. Seems like several folks have mentioned using C pistons in the M.
Speed-Pro Powerforged Ford Pistons - JEGS
and others, or search "cleveland pistons", etc.
I do not know if the compression height etc on the C piston will work in the M engine, but you can research that out too with the previous link or other sources. Seems like several folks have mentioned using C pistons in the M.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Ohio
If you rebuild a 400, it's easy to get 300 hp+ and 400 ft/lbs+ out of these motors.
If you're cheap, like me, a little port work on stock heads will help a lot.
If you're not looking for an all-out race motor, a few tricks will make it a powerhouse.
If you're going to put an aftermarket cam in it, you will need new valve springs. Stock springs will go solid at 0.480 lift. If you're going to tear the heads down, it's a good time for some port work.
If you're cheap, like me, a little port work on stock heads will help a lot.
If you're not looking for an all-out race motor, a few tricks will make it a powerhouse.
If you're going to put an aftermarket cam in it, you will need new valve springs. Stock springs will go solid at 0.480 lift. If you're going to tear the heads down, it's a good time for some port work.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
yea, i plane on gettin new springs, i dont know which ones are good to use though. id also get the double roller timing chain, and eventually figure out which cam to use. one of my dads old muddin buddies builds 400's and im sure he'll either have a good cam for me to use, or a good suggestion of which one to use. where do i go to port n polish the heads?