Reply to "Ford 400 Build"

quote:

Originally posted by Panterror:
When it comes to Pantera mods, to each his own. Other than the fact you have the 400, I'm not sure why you'd want to do the swap.

The issues with the swap are similar to other tall deck and/or high port head swap: Headers, accessory interface, intake combo/clearance. If you want to avoid intake adapters you're going to be limited to 2V port sizes on your intake since thats how both the available aftermarket intakes were configured. Are you going to use the M heads or your 4Vs? If your planning on your 4v heads, if they are closed chamber, at least you can get the CR up with the dished 400M pistons. If the M has been rebuilt with flat tops then you'll need open chamber heads or the 4" stroke will produce higher compression ratio than pump gas will like. If your using 400M heads and pistons you'll have typical low CR and the corresponding performance potential.

Irrespective all of this, this deck height will most certainly require custom headers and probably relocation of the pressure tank.

If you don't have the rarer version 400 with the sbf bell housing pattern, plan on some significant $ to remedy this plus more opportunity to misalign your input shaft with adapters and bell housing mods.

400s aren't a very popular swap in most other Ford sport cars for similar reasons; shock tower/exhaust interference, hood clearance, and limited induction choices.

The taller 400 deck of course necessitates a longer rod (well at least longer than a stroked sbf of similar displacement). Good ring life here, but this plus 2V heads will mean great low end grunt but leave little to shout about up top. This is why they're typically dubbed "truck engines".

Pantera's are relatively light and enjoy a fairly low overall ratio in first gear. Sounds like a good match for a 4V Cleveland to me. Why wouldn't you just rebuild the Cleveland? Plenty of inexpensive power to be found there. Seems like a lot of work for little gain, but again, to each his own.

Lastly, I doubt the swap would be viewed favorably in the buying market. If you just like the 400M and don't plan on selling, ...not a factor.

-Good luck.