hello everyone
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Grand Junction, CO.
hello everyone
hi,
mike here, been reading this forum for quite some time figured i better start posting. seems like a good bunch of folks here... just bought my first big block ford, 79 f150 ranger 2wd long bed with the 400m that has 46k on the original equipment. old farm truck so its only been idled around but the bed is hammered. also has the c6 tranny in it.
so, my first question to the forum is..... since i need to update the bed and interior and such, what easy bolt ons can i put on and not have to re-buy when i do build the motor? i.e. carb, intake manifold, exhaust headers and such. im also at 4500ft elevation. its going to be a street/strip truck.
second question is, since these motors have relatively low compression...wouldnt it be a good candidate for a power adder?? like a supercharger or turbo setup? i really am trying to learn this motor stuff, i promise!
thanks in advance for all the help im sure i will get from everyone
mike here, been reading this forum for quite some time figured i better start posting. seems like a good bunch of folks here... just bought my first big block ford, 79 f150 ranger 2wd long bed with the 400m that has 46k on the original equipment. old farm truck so its only been idled around but the bed is hammered. also has the c6 tranny in it.
so, my first question to the forum is..... since i need to update the bed and interior and such, what easy bolt ons can i put on and not have to re-buy when i do build the motor? i.e. carb, intake manifold, exhaust headers and such. im also at 4500ft elevation. its going to be a street/strip truck.
second question is, since these motors have relatively low compression...wouldnt it be a good candidate for a power adder?? like a supercharger or turbo setup? i really am trying to learn this motor stuff, i promise!
thanks in advance for all the help im sure i will get from everyone
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Irondale, Al.
Call Tim Meyer www.Tmeyerinc.com, He can help you with all your questions about a 400 block Ford.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 2
From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
I like the Weiand #8010 I think, I am running a Road Demon 625cfm carb and mine and really like it some headers and free flowing exhaust, and a new timing chain (the stock ones retarded the cam timing for the factory for emissions reasons). As for a power adding these motor have detonation issues from the factory so even thought they are low compression I really don't think putting boost to them would be a great idea in stock form. I would decide what you really want out of the truck mostly street or mostly strip? The 400 is great at down low torque that is where it really shines but it can be built to do just about what ever you want if you got the money. Oh yeah if you have to go through emissions testing pretty much all the stuff I mentioned will make you fail a smog check, just don't even think about that here.
-Johnboy
-Johnboy
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Grand Junction, CO.
thanks for the input. like i said i just want to get it running a bit better while i get the body and suspension up to snuff...then ill do the teardown and build the motor right.
so i guess ditchin the smog junk and puttin on a new timing chain and headers and exhaust with a good carb and intake is about my best option right now? will there be any seat of pants feel improvement or just sound and run better?
so i guess ditchin the smog junk and puttin on a new timing chain and headers and exhaust with a good carb and intake is about my best option right now? will there be any seat of pants feel improvement or just sound and run better?
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Grand Junction, CO.
so maybe i am wording this wrong... the truck will be a weekend driven performance street truck just a play toy... im looking for best gains bolt on parts for now till i get the body and suspension and tranny up to snuff...
so id like to know what the best overall performers as a package are for:
carb
header
intake manifold
exhaust
timing gear or chain
ignition coil dist wires etc
its a bone stock 400m in colorado elevation 4400 or so ft.
or...am i barking up the wrong tree and it would just be cheaper and better to pull the motor and do a build...
so id like to know what the best overall performers as a package are for:
carb
header
intake manifold
exhaust
timing gear or chain
ignition coil dist wires etc
its a bone stock 400m in colorado elevation 4400 or so ft.
or...am i barking up the wrong tree and it would just be cheaper and better to pull the motor and do a build...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
at least a 600carb but dont go too high or its just a waste, get some summit headers for $90 or if ur big on money then get some nice cermeric coated ones from whatever brand makes them, use the weiand action plus intake, true dual exhaust prolly 2 1/2" im gonna go 3" but thats my choice, get an aftermarket timing chain from summit, ive seen alot of people use the msd ignition stuff so give that a try..its all worth it id say, specially if u get a cam too, some will actually increase power and mpg together..ive looked at at the forums mainly ones ive posted and ur lookin to get somewhere around 25-300hp n 400+tq
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Grand Junction, CO.
cool so a 750 would be too much carb then... some good headers and the weiand intake and a timing chain.... now can you do a timing chain without doing a teardown, since the timing chain cover is part of the block...im just lookin to do mods now that can keep the motor in the truck with minimal downtime...like an afternoon or so...
thanks again for all the help
thanks again for all the help
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,299
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From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
Yeah no sweat doing the timing chain with the motor in the truck but you will have to drain the coolant and remove the water and fuel pumps and the crank pulley and balancer but it is a day project, just remember to line the two dots up on the sprockets before you pull the old set out it will make getting the new on on easier. You will want to check the ignition timing when you are done too because you will change the relations ship between cam/crank thus throwing the timing off a little. I would set aside a day mabey a weekend it would be tuff in an afternoon. Your in luck on the intake though don't have to drain any coolant they are easy I've done one in a little over an hour before. If you do every thing you've talked about there should be a fairly big seat of the pants improvement. If the timing chain sounds a little too complicated just do the carb, intake, and headers first and see if you happy that stuff will do a lot even with the retarded cam.
-Johnboy
-Johnboy
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Grand Junction, CO.
yeah no problem with a weekend job... ive got a full lift bay shop to work in so it can sit if need be. this is all with stock cam right? and heads?
maybe id just be better off biting the bullet and pulling the motor and just doing a full rebuild now and not trying to piece it along. i do have a front main seal leak and looks like a rear main maybe... guess i need to find a good shop to do the blockwork in colorado and get it started.
maybe id just be better off biting the bullet and pulling the motor and just doing a full rebuild now and not trying to piece it along. i do have a front main seal leak and looks like a rear main maybe... guess i need to find a good shop to do the blockwork in colorado and get it started.