400 Checklist
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Wanganui, New Zealand
400 Checklist
My wife and I are considering buying a 1977 F150 XLT Ranger, and it has a 400 in it. Going by what I have read here, it would benefit from a set of adjustable cam sprockets to correct the cam timing, and a set of the Australian heads, which are no problem, I am in New Zealand, and they are a dime a dozen here!! It already has a 650 vac secondary Holley 650 on it, what else do we need to consider?
My mechanic advised us against the 400's, as he says they break cranks easy, any feedback on that issue?
Thanks, Shane
My mechanic advised us against the 400's, as he says they break cranks easy, any feedback on that issue?
Thanks, Shane
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Not the expert, but have seen nothing here about broken cranks.
Cracked heads, yes.
You need the entire timing set for an early model to get the "straight up" cam timing. Performance timing sets may offer multiple settings.
Not sure about compression, which was very low as OEM. Heads may or may not help that.
Are you planning on an a rebuild or just externals?
There are much better cams available also.
Cracked heads, yes.
You need the entire timing set for an early model to get the "straight up" cam timing. Performance timing sets may offer multiple settings.
Not sure about compression, which was very low as OEM. Heads may or may not help that.
Are you planning on an a rebuild or just externals?
There are much better cams available also.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 883
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From: New-brunswick,Canada
If you change the timing chain you'll have a good chance to change the cam in the same time. Broken crank ? no, and never heard about that. 400 crank are good. Aussie head will raise your compression a little which is good. Stock head are around 78cc and aussie 62cc.
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From: Wanganui, New Zealand
Thanks guy's. I am not planning a full rebuild, rather an "in truck fix up" as the current owner tells me it runs strong, and I don't wanna go spending too much on it, the wife would skin me alive!! Will the clearances be ok between valves and pistons?
Thanks,
Shane
Thanks,
Shane
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Valve-to-piston clearance with stock pistons and the retimed cam will be ok--again, no expert but never seen any reference to that issue here with dozens of reports and posts about making that change. Besides, the straight up cam timing was the factory setting in the first year or two of the 400.
Different cam? Time to measure.
Different cam? Time to measure.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Wanganui, New Zealand
Ok, cool, thanks
Ok, thanks for that. I don't really need a hike in power for what we want it for, we really want bullet proof reliability!!
Cracked heads.....how common is that? Or is it a result of over heating? Thought only those damn 6.2 Chev's did that!!
Out of interest, my last Ford had a 351 Cleveland, roller rockes, Crower roller cam, high flow pump with head restrictor kit, 302 "black" heads, pocket ported, s/s single groove valves, 3cut angle, swirl polished, Weiand Xcelerator intake, vac secondary 750 Holley.
cheers,
Shane
Cracked heads.....how common is that? Or is it a result of over heating? Thought only those damn 6.2 Chev's did that!!
Out of interest, my last Ford had a 351 Cleveland, roller rockes, Crower roller cam, high flow pump with head restrictor kit, 302 "black" heads, pocket ported, s/s single groove valves, 3cut angle, swirl polished, Weiand Xcelerator intake, vac secondary 750 Holley.
cheers,
Shane
