Well it's nice to be back, this is my first time here since I sold my last ford in October of 06! Anyways, back on topic. Since selling my last project truck(a lifted 71 K20), I've been going crazy. Nothing to work on and only having one truck seems to bother me. So I started looking for a new project and the next day I bought what I've been wanting. A 79' Flatbed with a CLEAN body. The chrome isn't even scratched on the front bumper... Now I've got a few questions.

1. It's an F150, and I don't like that. Mainly because at some point I would like to drop in a diesel into her. How much work is involved swaping over F250 running gear?

2. She needs to be lifted, what are my best/cheapest options for lifts? I'm still undecided on size. At what point do you need longer brake lines, etc? Educate me please. (this is assuming I don't swap over F250 parts)

3. I've got the dreaded 400 and can't decide between building this motor or a 460 swap. What would you suggest? And how much more does the 460 weigh? Could that be a problem with the light duty F150 front end? It only needs mild power for now so I'm leaning towards building the current motor. (I already have long tube headers and an edelbrock intake manifold for it)

4. I got into an arguement with a buddy, how much hp does a stock 79 400 make?


Right now I don't know what direction I'm going with this truck, other than it will be lifted and most likely black... With in a week or 2 the motor will be pulled, I'll sand her down and she will be off to paint... So any ideas or advice you can throw my way would be great. Also, I want to keep it on as much of a budget as possible, being in College funds are limited. Thanks guys! I'll be sure in include pictures within the next few days. (and don't tell me to use the search function please, I wanted my own build thread to post updates and pictures in. Besides I'm off to do that right now)

 

I think a stock 79 400 only makes like 160hp or so. Have a machine shop bore it .030 over drop in a set of Tmeyer 14cc pistons, get some long tube headers and a cam like the comp xe262h (thats the one i run and im very happy) bolt on an aftermarket intake and 4 bbl carb and you will be over 300 hp, that should get er done.

 

I had heard 158, so your number sounds correct. I just can't stand driving a truck that is such a dog(My daily driver is well over 500). What will those pistons raise compression to? I would like around 10 to 1. Will there be any issues with me ripping all of the emmissions BS off?

 

I believe with the stock 76cc heads those pistons make 9.4:1. Shouldnt have any problems ripping out all the emissions crap, mine is all gone. I did have some pinging under load with the stock ditsributor though. They can be recurved but i put in a Mallory HEI unit and it runs great.

 

Well here are the pictures I promised. What do you guys think?

 

Thanks, I'll have to look into it. I think I need to pull and rebuild the whole motor.

 

the 460 weighs only like 175lbs more than the 400, so the stock front springs should be able to handle the 460 easily. if it does sag, you could always do what i did and put a set of air bags inside the coils. i'm running 36"s with no lift and little rubbing