400 horse is not that hard

go check out the latest classic trucks magazine they got 301 with just a 4bbl and new intake

and they mention that the 400m is capable of about 568 hp and 542 lb-ft of torque

 

You also have to remember that part of the reason alot of builders stay away from 400's is the myth of the weak water jacket... I forget which factory they were from but there were some late 70's 400's that wouldn't tolerate much of any kind of boring out, water jackets would crack and then you just put alot of work into a fine boat anchor... From my experience there are plenty of stout 400's out there, mine made it to 396,000 miles before I retired it and replaced it with a 460... sometimes I really wish I had just rebuilt that 400 but it would have taken alot of work since I spun the 1 and 5 main bearings plus the high mileage...

I just did a quick google search and here's a link to some info, apparently it was the pre-1977 Michigan castings but alot of builders just assumed all 400's would crack...

Cleveland -- The Ford V-8 Engine Workshop

 

so where would I find this date code to know what I have?

 

if I'm not mistaken it's on the back side near the oil sender kind of in the valley

 

cant be in an easy spot huh? lol

 

at least it's not under the intake

 

I had a 400 out of a 1971 LTD in my old 77 F-250. I got the truck from my uncle and it is his again. I had good compression and a straight up timing gear and still thought it was underpowered and then you still have to deal with the crap oiling system. They pretty much never have any oil pressure.
I think 10 to 1 compression is ideal on pump gas, I got that out of my 460 no problem, it's easy to do. I'm running C9VE heads, I did get new pistons and .030 over though. Or there are tons of choices to get compression out of D3 heads. The 400s (even in 1971) have low compression (compared to 10 to 1) and its more difficult to get it where it needs to be on a 400. Also more cubes are gonna make more power. We're talking 60 cubes. On any decent build that's 60 horse right there.
In my opinion the 351m/400 are the worst V8 ever made, I'd rather run a 300 6 than a 351/400. F those peice of Sh.
I've had experience with at least 20 of them and they were all junk. Everyone of them. No power and no oil pressure. Yes anything can be fixed with money but whats the point, you can only polish a turd so far, and it would still be a turd. JUNK! Do a 460 or you are wasting your money. If you dont want a big block then do a 351w, they are cheap to stroke too. $150 crank with 302 pistons and stock W rods gives you a 393. Much better choice.

 

To whom are you speaking?

 

How did i miss this thread!? haha Ok, to clear up any issues. The 351M and 400 are identical aside from pistons and crank(and obviously cubic inches). The 351M carries the M because the 400 came before the 351M did. All they did was MODIFY the stroke of the 400, which resulted in need of different pistons as well. The 460 would be the easiest to make big power. Put in a bigger cam and you are already way ahead of the 400. And on top of that the 460 has 58 cubic inches on the 400(technically is 402). Don't get me wrong, I love my 400. Even if it is leaking from basically every seal imaginable right now, but hey its original what do you expect. The 400 is basically a monster waiting to be unleashed. Change the cam, timing, and a little head work and you have yourself a decent motor. I would change to a 460 but I dont want to screw with all that stuff right now. Im just gonna build my 400 decently. The best bang for you buck will be the 460. The 460 has loads more aftermarket parts compared to the 400. Yes, 400 parts are becoming more available but the 460 still kicks the 400's *** there. Go with the 460 and you will know you went for the biggest you could, you won't look back and think, "what if....."

 

hahahah a boat anchor? if i dropped one a them off the side of my jon boat it would drag me and the boat under!!!!