400 vs. 460
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: cent il
family
I guess 335 family & 385 family is the proper quote but 335 also includes 351c which deck height is 1.09" shorter 351m/400 main journel dia,center to center on con rods,BH bolt pattern is diff also except on 73 full size 400 with fmx trans {codePHB-AB} same as 351c.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
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so you would need a transmission or bell housing and mounts
also you would need new brackets for the add ons ps and alt
if you went with a windsor you'd need a fuel pump and distributor
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 188
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I have a 400 too and am looking at keeping it. I want to do a "beefy OEM" type rebuild keeping the block, heads, & crank.
I've been reading alot of books and websites that basically say the 351M/400 "poo-poo" reported by many is a myth. I bought a book called "How to Build Max Performance Ford V-8s on a Budget" and it says the 400, when built right, will be plenty of motor w/great low-end torque, street performance, daily driving, etc.
No, we won't beat a muscle car on the drag strip, but it'll have plenty of attitude. The key, according to this book, is building the bottom end. You should check it out.
If I was going to be pulling a 5th wheel, horses, or cattle? I'd probably swap to the 460, add a tranny cooler, and maybe a new rear end.
I've been reading alot of books and websites that basically say the 351M/400 "poo-poo" reported by many is a myth. I bought a book called "How to Build Max Performance Ford V-8s on a Budget" and it says the 400, when built right, will be plenty of motor w/great low-end torque, street performance, daily driving, etc.
No, we won't beat a muscle car on the drag strip, but it'll have plenty of attitude. The key, according to this book, is building the bottom end. You should check it out.
If I was going to be pulling a 5th wheel, horses, or cattle? I'd probably swap to the 460, add a tranny cooler, and maybe a new rear end.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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SNSTER - I can't offer any first hand experience on a direct comparison between 400's and 460's - yet. What I can tell you from first hand experience is the 400 is plenty capable of satisfying your need for power.
I built a 400 about 5 years ago for my '78 Bronco to replace the tired 351. As usual, my "I'm just gonna rebuild it, baby - I promise" turned into much more. Massaged the heads a little by opening up the exhaust ports and gasket matching the intake side, had Comp grind a roller cam with their shortest duration intake lobe and next higher exhaust lobe, 9:1 pistons after boring it .040" over, Scorpion roller rockers, Edelbrock dual plane intake off of eBay, 600 cfm Edelbrock carb and small tube headers.
I couldn't have been more pleased. RIDICULOUS torque right off idle through about 4,500 rpm. Throttle so touchy that people don't want to drive it a second time. That was with 3:50 gears and 36" Swampers. I swapped those out for 4:56's last fall and we won't even go there.
Bottom line - the 400 is a fine engine and has the stroke needed to make awesome torque. I have buddies that swear by the 460. I don't think you could go wrong with either choice
I built a 400 about 5 years ago for my '78 Bronco to replace the tired 351. As usual, my "I'm just gonna rebuild it, baby - I promise" turned into much more. Massaged the heads a little by opening up the exhaust ports and gasket matching the intake side, had Comp grind a roller cam with their shortest duration intake lobe and next higher exhaust lobe, 9:1 pistons after boring it .040" over, Scorpion roller rockers, Edelbrock dual plane intake off of eBay, 600 cfm Edelbrock carb and small tube headers.
I couldn't have been more pleased. RIDICULOUS torque right off idle through about 4,500 rpm. Throttle so touchy that people don't want to drive it a second time. That was with 3:50 gears and 36" Swampers. I swapped those out for 4:56's last fall and we won't even go there.
Bottom line - the 400 is a fine engine and has the stroke needed to make awesome torque. I have buddies that swear by the 460. I don't think you could go wrong with either choice
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 231
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Awesome. since my whole build is apparently going to be dare to be different I think it may be beefy 400 time
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Senior User
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The windsor flywheel and bellhousing are also diferent.
a 351m is a cleveland essentially it's the same family 335 but it has a taller deck and shares a big block bell housing
so you would need a transmission or bell housing and mounts
also you would need new brackets for the add ons ps and alt
if you went with a windsor you'd need a fuel pump and distributor
so you would need a transmission or bell housing and mounts
also you would need new brackets for the add ons ps and alt
if you went with a windsor you'd need a fuel pump and distributor
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Irondale, Al.
Sorry for the confusion.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 871
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From: New Albany, MS
Here is what I know from my limited experience. My 79 Originally had a 400. It was completely stock and I ran the fire out of it. The right deal came along and I bought a 460. I traded off the old 400 and bolted in the 460. The 460 is fairly built; however, it does not genereate the low end grunt like the stock 400 did. But , while the 400 wound out at a relatively low rpm, you better get out of the 460s way when it gets to revving. I saw no gas mileage difference between the two. In my opinion, the 400 is the better motor if your truck is going to see stock gear ratios and large tires, the 460 at least in my case required me to regear to really get the motor in its power band, they are both great motors and are easy to swap. Just depends on your application i suppose.
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