351m/400m?

[281_Mk8]

So if you guys were me would you rebuild the 400 (more compression, and a mild cam) and start the long, involved process of putting it in the ranger? Or would you just try to find a good 302?

 

[Ozwynn]

neither. I'd swap in an EFI 5.8L.

 

[fordwheelinman]

Im one of the biggest advocates for the 400 youll ever find. But unless your ready for some heavy heavy heavy modifications, your better off to find a 302 or 351 windsor in either carb or efi.

 

[baddad457]

Cam on a 400 ? Summit p/n 5200 works great with the stock 2bbl intake, Holley 500 2bbl carb and long tube headers.

 

[4LO 4.O]

The 400 in my 71 F-100 is the most reliable motor ford ever put out! it cranks with just one turn of the key, even when cold. The torque in these motors are unreal, at stop lights little s-10 and ricers can be heard slamin gears from behind as i lesurely drive away. As far as aftermarket it's a small block ford and parts are plentifull. The 400 when done right is not a joke. Mine was ordered for a 76 LTD police interceptor and is rated at 265 hp with a 2bl carb from the factory. With a 4 bl intake headers and duals your over 300 hp, in a ranger that is more than enough to go anywhere it wants.

 

[Ozwynn]

The 400 in my 71 F-100 is the most reliable motor ford ever put out! it cranks with just one turn of the key, even when cold. As far as aftermarket it's a small block ford and parts are plentifull.

Reliable..... I agree. Torque monster........ no argument from me......... it being a small block .............. I thought the 400 was based on the 351 Cleavland?

 

[JohnnyO]

About two years ago Hot Rod Magazine did a 351M buildup and got decent power.
That said, a 351M/400M is a bad choice for a Ranger because of 1) it's wider than a 302 and 2) you need a big block tranny, which I doubt will fit.
Couple people have put 351W's in Rangers and the clearance with the steering shaft is, uh, tight. Real tight.
Sell or trade the 400 for a 302 or 5.0, it will be a lot less headache to put in.

 

[baddad457]

Reliable..... I agree. Torque monster........ no argument from me......... it being a small block .............. I thought the 400 was based on the 351 Cleavland?

The 400 was based on the Cleveland which is a sort of in between in size, dimensionally, but the 400's physical size puts it in a big block catagory.

 

[Simple_serf]

most people know I am a fan of the small, medium, and big block IH engines. i have also ran a 400 in a old f250. we towed a 15000 lb bulldozer 300 miles with it with no problem. I wasn't paying for gas, so I didn't care.

I think the IH 549's redlined at around 3000 RPM, which is where my little 2.5 lima is happiest.

you want big block, take a look at the GMC v12's. Neat engine that you don't see everyday!

I do think that swapping a 400 type engine into a ranger would be a major PITA.

 

[Linux_Geek]

Physical size do not make a small or big block. Cylinder bore spacing does though. The cylinder bore spacing on the 351C, 351M/400 is identical to the cylinder bore spacing of the 289/302/5.0 Ford SB, making it a true smallblock, but practically all 351M/400's have the bell housing of the 385 big blocks. A very very limited number had dual pattern bells and were apparently installed in some cars.

Here is a link to some interesting numbers concerning the 400:

http://www.tmeyerinc.com/400Ford.htm

L.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

My 78 F350 has a 400M engine in it....its a proformance rebuild but its got a RV Cam, Hooker headers, Edelbrock Performer 400 intake, and Edelbrock 650 (or 750, cant remember which, the guy told me when i bought it), and lemme say, it is by far one of the torqueiest engines ive ever had.

My Dually has 4.30 gears and a 4sp, so granted its not the fastest thing around, it whinds out waayyy to fast, But I hooked 10000lbs behind it and it doesnt even know its there. It can still smoke ricers light to light. Even 55-70 runs aint that bad.

I cant speak for reliabilty, as i havent had mine that long, but Id put them against anything (new or old) short of a diesel for power. Even my buddy who had a 02 Chevy with the 8.1L was impressed with the Torque of the old 400.

My dads friend has a 83 with a 460 and a 4sp in a 2wd dually, just like my 78, and honestly, I will say my 400 would wax it when it comes to grunting loads.

The 300 Straight 6 is a awesome torque mosnter engine for what it is, and competes very well (in terms of torque) against the 302, 4.3L, 225 Slant 6, 3.9L Mopar, etc, which was its major competiors, but, its no big block.

The 400 is far from a race car engine, but if you need a bulletproof, mean, strong, powerful, monster, look no further.

later,
Dustin