i have been offered a 400m sbf v8 to fit my car,a 1980 ish gt5. will it go in ok ?
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Some one on the list was building a 400m punched out to 434 I think? (CRS) I think there was some bell housing problems and some other small things, but was able to work things out? I'm sure that person or others will be able to help you out! As far as FIT! A big hammer and a saw! We can make it FIT! Baa ha ha ha
Good Luck
Good Luck
The 400M is a slightly large engine, but I imagine it can be made to fit.
Engine Width Length Height Weight
351C 25.5 29.25 29 550
351M/400 26.0 29.50 29 575
351W 25.0 29.00 29 525
Engine Width Length Height Weight
351C 25.5 29.25 29 550
351M/400 26.0 29.50 29 575
351W 25.0 29.00 29 525
while the engine is taller , that part is ok.
The mount positions are different, they can be made. but the hard part is the bell housing pattern is big block ford.that is the hard part.
The mount positions are different, they can be made. but the hard part is the bell housing pattern is big block ford.that is the hard part.
I believe some (very few) of the early 400M's had the same small block bellhosuing bolt pattern as the 351C...if you were lucky enough for it to be one of those few it would indeed be a pretty easy swap.
What about ease of access to spares in Saudi? One would have thought a Windsor may be better from that standpoint.
Good luck whichever way you go, I have followed your story closely and admire you for bringing this GT5 back from the dead. It's great that you have gotten as far along as thinking about an engine.
What about ease of access to spares in Saudi? One would have thought a Windsor may be better from that standpoint.
Good luck whichever way you go, I have followed your story closely and admire you for bringing this GT5 back from the dead. It's great that you have gotten as far along as thinking about an engine.
I fit a 400M in mine. Car is long way from driving but the main issues have been dealt with. The question is do you want an easy swap or are you up for a project. It is as doable as other non-standard engine swaps. It's all in the details.
1st is bell housing. I have no idea where mine came. My plan was to weld one up. I may still do this in the future after everything is going. It is a bit heavier then typical ZF bell housing.
2nd is headers. Deck height is 1" taller so the headers will not align in the suspension. You can cut and re-weld the originals or you can build a set from scratch. No big deal there is you can do that kind of fab. My headers go over the suspension and are not even similar to the originals.
3rd, engine mounts. The 400 mounts are different then the 351 BUT>>>> One side on mine was embossed and could be drilled and tapped. Engine mounts were not that hard. It is something I can work on lightening latter as well.
4th is header to gas tank clearance. I am building my own for the right side so I can make the clearance what I want.
Rest of the issues are minor such as engine dimensions. Same distance front to back but the head does get tight around the right wheel well. Still fits though. Taller intake which means screen unlikely. Clutch actuation, Water tubes, etc. Small stuff.
Figment during strip down:
Overkill engine mounts:
Head clearance, tank mock up:
General engine fit:
Gary
1st is bell housing. I have no idea where mine came. My plan was to weld one up. I may still do this in the future after everything is going. It is a bit heavier then typical ZF bell housing.
2nd is headers. Deck height is 1" taller so the headers will not align in the suspension. You can cut and re-weld the originals or you can build a set from scratch. No big deal there is you can do that kind of fab. My headers go over the suspension and are not even similar to the originals.
3rd, engine mounts. The 400 mounts are different then the 351 BUT>>>> One side on mine was embossed and could be drilled and tapped. Engine mounts were not that hard. It is something I can work on lightening latter as well.
4th is header to gas tank clearance. I am building my own for the right side so I can make the clearance what I want.
Rest of the issues are minor such as engine dimensions. Same distance front to back but the head does get tight around the right wheel well. Still fits though. Taller intake which means screen unlikely. Clutch actuation, Water tubes, etc. Small stuff.
Figment during strip down:
Overkill engine mounts:
Head clearance, tank mock up:
General engine fit:
Gary
Forgot to mention I may have a source for bellhousings which would make that trivial to any 400.
Gary
Gary
I have, by the way, located a fuel tank for the right side.....
........Some assembly required:
........Some assembly required:
quote:Originally posted by comp2:
I have, by the way, located a fuel tank for the right side.....
........Some assembly required:
gee I hope that came with an allen key !
Also notice the distributor cap fit in Gary's pictures above. Tight-tight-tight.
The distributor is another issue when installing larger engines that have front mounted distributors in the Pantera chassis.
It looks like Gary is using a small diameter cap.
cowboy from hell
The distributor is another issue when installing larger engines that have front mounted distributors in the Pantera chassis.
It looks like Gary is using a small diameter cap.
cowboy from hell
Think about using a crank trigger electronic system for the distributor.
Gary, what are going to do for a rear window since the cage goes out back?
Gary, what are going to do for a rear window since the cage goes out back?
quote:Originally posted by jeff6559:
Think about using a crank trigger electronic system for the distributor.
Gary, what are going to do for a rear window since the cage goes out back?
Now how am I suppose to tune the car while driving if I put a back window in?
Right now I am thinking about building the metal channel around the bar with the bar going through rubber. The bar is removable.
The distributor is small problem. Plenty work arounds for it. The engine is out of the car right now but I will measure clearance when I get it back in. When I get the tank done I need to fit the engine again, check clearance and other mockup issues. I am also welding up a side transaxle mount so it will need be fit to finish the attachment plates to the ZF.
The distributor had plenty of clearance to tilt the engine forward getting the engine in and out.