[aztek_warrior]

Hi everyone, well here is my dilema. I received a Ford 400 from a friend of mine (free). I would like to use this engine on my pick up, I currently have a Ford 300 with a BW T-18 granny low 4spd trans, the truck is a 76 f100 custom 2wd. I know I need the bellhousing, flywheel, starter, alternator, distributor, water pump, gaskets need to be changed on the 400 but for the money that i'm looking at for all these items seems like I could just might as well rebuild my 300...Need some advise on if this swap would be worth the time and money spent..This truck is used only to cruise around, I don't tow or haul anything with it, but it would be nice to have a V8 in it . What advise could you guys offer me?? I would greatly appreciate your input on the matter..getting a little frustrated.

P.S. and i thought the most difficult decision in life was to get married or not...LOL
thanks

[327NUT]

In my humble opinion a 400 is a boat anchor....free or not, not worth the trouble of the swap, but it can be done and you would have a V-8! If you want a better V-8 stick a 351W in it or rebuild the 300.

[66GMC]

351M / 400 engines got a bad rap. They were introduced to replace the aging FE series during an emissions transition phase ... so the engineers were scrambling to come up with a suitable powerplant for the light trucks.

The 300 6 was a fairly dependable and even torquey little engine ... but a 6 is still a 6, right?

The 429 or 460 (385 series) is another possibilty ... one with a lot of hot-rod potential.

[willowbilly3]

Originally Posted by 66GMC

351M / 400 engines got a bad rap. They were introduced to replace the aging FE series during an emissions transition phase ... so the engineers were scrambling to come up with a suitable powerplant for the light trucks.

The 300 6 was a fairly dependable and even torquey little engine ... but a 6 is still a 6, right?

The 429 or 460 (385 series) is another possibilty ... one with a lot of hot-rod potential.

As a Ford man, the 351M/400 is my least favorite engine because I had them in my shop back in the day and they had really crappy engine management systems. I have seen 400s built to run but to me it's not worth the hassle, and they were mostly gas hogs too. I like my 300 but it isn't the end all of engines. first off there is nothing like the sound of a V8, sorry six banger guys, they just sound like puke for the most part.
I like the advice of going to a 351W, bell housing, clutch and all will still work (not the flywheel even though it will bolt on). Also remember that mixing and matching Ford bits can be (and usually is) an exercise in futility at some point unless you have a complete donor vehicle, or two.
Also on edit, you will need different engine towers to swap. The 300 ones work for the FE engines by just moving them back. Small block use their own and the 351M/400 use their own.

[66GMC]

Not disagreeing at all, Willowbilly ... as I am somewhat of al old "Ford Man" as well. (Ford partsman for 14 years, starting in 1979)

As I said earlier ... the 351M/400 was, IMO, a temporary powerplant stuffed into pickup trucks starting in 1977, discontinued in 1982. These engines fell victim to EPA regulations. Compliancy required, IIRC, retarding the valve timing 2°. Horsepower and fuel economy both fell off as a result.

As you said, they also had "engine management issues" which included overheating and detonation problems. The "fix" was a re-curved distributor that was issued on a "Campain" near the end of the life-cycle ... 1981-82.

[DanielC]

The 300 inline six is a good truck engine. It has a lot of torque, and to get the same bore and stroke in a V8, you would have a 410 engine. (390 FE, with a 428 Crankshaft)
That engine makes a good engine for a Ford Truck, but you do not have one.

It was pointed out to swap a 400m V8, it would be easiest to have a donor truck.

If it was my truck, I would rebuild the 300. More than enough power, and potential for reasonable gas mileage.

[aztek_warrior]

Thanks for all your input, After all the serching around, I was also leaning more towards just a rebuild on my 300, My daily drivers also has one and its been more than a great engine, will more than likely be rebuilding....thanks everyone..