what would be more trouble?
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Alston, MI
what would be more trouble?
alright, since im an indecisive little kid, i was trying to decide what engine my truck should have, the choices are
1. 71 400 (i'd like for the gobs of torque and ease of install)
2. 70? 429 (i'd like for the nasty amount of hp)
3. 91 5.8l efi (i'd like for the mpg and no need for any real tuning, and it's a freakin efi in an older ford, not seen really really often around in upper michigan)
so, who those are the reasons, which should i choose... the only thing i'd hafta buy for the 429 would be the clutch and pressure plat.
so, yeah, which should i choose?
1. 71 400 (i'd like for the gobs of torque and ease of install)
2. 70? 429 (i'd like for the nasty amount of hp)
3. 91 5.8l efi (i'd like for the mpg and no need for any real tuning, and it's a freakin efi in an older ford, not seen really really often around in upper michigan)
so, who those are the reasons, which should i choose... the only thing i'd hafta buy for the 429 would be the clutch and pressure plat.
so, yeah, which should i choose?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: East Helena MT
My vote is the efi engine in the older Ford pickup! I completed an efi swap in a 65 and it runs great.
Make sure if you complete the efi swap that you buy the entire donor truck to take all the parts and pieces that you might need. Then sell of what you dont use and get some of your money back.
Jeff
Make sure if you complete the efi swap that you buy the entire donor truck to take all the parts and pieces that you might need. Then sell of what you dont use and get some of your money back.
Jeff
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 213
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From: Slippery Rock, PA
The 71 400 isn't that much better than a post 71 400. All you need to surpass the old engine with the newer pig is, TMI pistons, nice cam, 4 barrel intake, and some headers. Don't forget a straight up timing set. I would go for a built 400, because everything bolts right in, and nobody will believe what your pig can do. lol
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
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I'm putting a '92 302 EFI in my '79 work truck, wanted a '91 351w, but basically got this 302 for free.
For my hot rod, I'm in the same boat as you! I've got a '71 Galaxie 351w (needs rebuild), a '69 360 (I would build it to 428), or I could go with a newer modular motor for efficiency. I can't decide either!
For my hot rod, I'm in the same boat as you! I've got a '71 Galaxie 351w (needs rebuild), a '69 360 (I would build it to 428), or I could go with a newer modular motor for efficiency. I can't decide either!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 868
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From: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
I like the 429 option, loads of power and the are bullet proof. MPG would be the same and maybe better than the 400. You would need to change the frame engine mounts and upgrade the radiator in order to go with the 429 but well worht it , I removed a 400 and dropped in a 429 in the last truck I built and the power was FUN and the milage went up by 2MPG. The only thing with going EFI is the possibility of sensor/electrical trouble down the road, you can fix the old stuff with a hammer , screwdriver and a roll of duct tape on the side of the road.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Fargo North Dakota
The ford EFI small blocks aren't that complicated, they still have a distributor after all. You'll get better mileage, parts are more abundant, and if you build it you can have tons of power and torque. That's the route I'm going to go with my 73.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
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For you, I'd choose the 429 over the 400. As you say you only need a few parts to make it work. The 351w will require more time and parts, and you'll have to get a trans. It should be better on gas, and the power increase, though not as high as the 429, will make your old 351m feel like a Honda I4.
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From: Alston, MI
For you, I'd choose the 429 over the 400. As you say you only need a few parts to make it work. The 351w will require more time and parts, and you'll have to get a trans. It should be better on gas, and the power increase, though not as high as the 429, will make your old 351m feel like a Honda I4.
i also forgot to mention that i need a flywheel for the 429.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Alston, MI
yeah... it's still in the donor truck, which is a 91 f350 4x4. would the sending unit out of the rear tank of the 91 fit in my 77's tank?
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Joined: Sep 2008
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My vote would be either the 429 or the 400.
you can get under the hood trouble shoot and repair it in minutes with basic tools even on the side of the road if need be.
the MPG gain isn't all that much over an EFI. remember it's still a heavy truck with the aerodynamics of a brick and if you factor in the cost and labor involved into an EFI swap it would take years till you actually saw a return on investment.
IMO one of the great things of these old fords is the simplicity.
you can get under the hood trouble shoot and repair it in minutes with basic tools even on the side of the road if need be.
the MPG gain isn't all that much over an EFI. remember it's still a heavy truck with the aerodynamics of a brick and if you factor in the cost and labor involved into an EFI swap it would take years till you actually saw a return on investment.
IMO one of the great things of these old fords is the simplicity.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 367
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From: Naples, FL
Agreed 400 or 429 are much easier swap...parts are cheaper and more avail for 429 over 400. The 351W swap would be a PITA with all the wiring and sensors and everything else you'd have to swap.
Im in same dilemma but im debating on reworking my 351M into a mild 400 or just finding a cheap junkyard 460 out of a van.
In case you didnt know a 351M can be turned into a 400 just by swaping crank and pistons. Motors are identical. Pick up the 400 swap it in then you have a backup parts motor that still runs...or I guess it still runs??
Im in same dilemma but im debating on reworking my 351M into a mild 400 or just finding a cheap junkyard 460 out of a van.
In case you didnt know a 351M can be turned into a 400 just by swaping crank and pistons. Motors are identical. Pick up the 400 swap it in then you have a backup parts motor that still runs...or I guess it still runs??
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Waterloo IL
429.
I honestly don't think the 351 efi will get that much more gas mileage than a carb'd 429. My 93 Bronco with a fuel injected 302 got 10-11.
My dad was getting 7mpg with a 79 full time F-250 with a 351m, swapped to a 429 and got 9mpg.
I had an F-250 with a 1971 400 in it. My uncle bought the truck in 1982 with a bad 400. He swapped in a 400 from a 1971 LTD. I had the truck from 2001 till 2008 then I gave it back to him. I was not impressed at all with the 1971 400 and was planning a 460 swap.
I honestly don't think the 351 efi will get that much more gas mileage than a carb'd 429. My 93 Bronco with a fuel injected 302 got 10-11.
My dad was getting 7mpg with a 79 full time F-250 with a 351m, swapped to a 429 and got 9mpg.
I had an F-250 with a 1971 400 in it. My uncle bought the truck in 1982 with a bad 400. He swapped in a 400 from a 1971 LTD. I had the truck from 2001 till 2008 then I gave it back to him. I was not impressed at all with the 1971 400 and was planning a 460 swap.