big block v8 in a ranger

[98red]

i have aquired a 79 400 modified and im looking to shoehorn it into a 98 shortbox ranger... if anyone could throw some advice my way id appreciate it

 

[red85]

My advice is get lots of sawzall blades and make sure you have tons of mig wire on hand.

 

[HoleshotKFX400]

Good Luck thats all I have to say...

 

[wahlstrom1]

If your gonna do a 400, you might as well do a 460, and stroke it to 514 etc...Do a smal block and make life easier for yourself.

-andrew

 

[mkpecor]

the frame and every thing on that truck was NOT made for big block power, do a pumped up small block.

 

[WildSide]

COME ON YOU GURLY GURLS! Giving advice like that never helped anyone and if everyone was to whimper out at the slightest challenge the world of hot rods and automotive life would be so boring!
So 98red go ahead and pick your drivetrain and start measuring! Then start drawing up plans to modify that whole frame, firewall and cab floor. This should be a fun project!

 

[Capt Jay]

Hit it with a hammer and let'er buck. Better you than I.

 

[281Ranger]

First off, there's plenty of room in the engine bay of a '98-up 2wd for the 400. I have a 4.6 dohc in mine and it makes a 400M look small. The front half of the '98-up Ranger frames are fully boxed to behind the trans crossmember. The 400M was only rated at 159hp@3800rpm and 276tq@2000rpm. Not alot of frame twisting going on there.

My question is why bother with a 400M? It's a heavy, underpowered, boat anchor. Installing a 400M (carbed I assume) is going to force you to dive into the rest of the truck's electricals. It's just not worth the time and money.

 

[88mudder]

tear that stock engine out. Place that 400 in there and you will be able to see if it will fit or not. It allows you to see what needs to be modified or cut or moved over such as the steering.

 

[Mac]

I'd sure not go that route with the 400. You can get the same, cheaper power out of using something like some of the newer stroker kits now made based on the 302/351 that will fit in with a lot less work, fit a lot better, weigh less. Even the headers for a high out-put 302/5.0 are hard to find for a '98' and newer. Best ones made (Torque Monster) will run you over $700 and only rated to 350-380HP. Everything is going to have to be custom fabricated. I wish you luck, you did ask for advice.
Dave

 

[1990 sc]

hey know what do it , if you ever come across a 460 . you wont have any work to do to put it in there .. lets start this project HELL YA even a 429 dove heads drools at the potential . an yeah its a boat anchor but its a start hey pssstt Edelbrock makes alot of parts for that engine

 

[projectnitemare]

You're going to hear some flack about dropping in a 400 and most of the guys are pretty much right. Yes you can make it fit and it will, but for the extra effort and little power reward it may not be worth it. If you want to put it in it can be done, if you don't like it you will have pretty much everything set up for a 460. Reguardless with a truck that new you will pretty much throw all the modern electronics out the window and don't bet on passing any standard emissions tests with it.

Matt

 

[Psychopete]

The 351M/400 is in the same family as the 351C, but the 351M/400 is big block bellhousing and motor mounts. The engine is more of a mid block than a big block. It is a big bastard though.

They can be built to make some power, but it comes at a price and terrible fuel mileage. IMO, would be fun to build one up and put it into an older 70's lead sled.

Pete

 

[superdave1984]

Man, this thread got me all pumped up because I have almost decide to drop my 429 into my Ranger. This was no help. I had no trouble years ago dropping in the 302, but I know the big monster will be MUCH more intensive. Surely somebody has done this for street use.

 

[mhughes165]

the most u will be able to pull out of a 400m with stock heads and leaded race fuel will be 400 hp, after that u need some real heads, and a bunch of other shit for real power, oh...btw my old 79 had a worked 400m.....i didnt get MPG i had GPM gallons per mile....