400M Long-block in a 68?
- Thread starter ttm2007
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StangDreamin'
Founding Member
Two issues: Engine height and tranny bolt-pattern.
Engine height: The 400 is (basically) a "tall-deck Cleveland block"; so you're either going to have to come up with a set off "drop" motor mounts (and some kind of new oil pan for clearance) or a cowl hood.
Tranny Bolt Pattern: Your 289 was backed up by a C6? If so, not too rough; because the 400's bolt pattern is the same as a Lima (429/460) block. But if your tranny is in fact a C4 which is more likely in a '68; you've got some hunting to do.
Headers may also be an issue; I don't know if the "Cleveland swap" headers will work (fitting in the engine bay) with the tall-deck 400.
Get past those problems; and you just need to get some Aussie Cleveland "quench heads" and build up the unibody/suspension to handle the torque!
Engine height: The 400 is (basically) a "tall-deck Cleveland block"; so you're either going to have to come up with a set off "drop" motor mounts (and some kind of new oil pan for clearance) or a cowl hood.
Tranny Bolt Pattern: Your 289 was backed up by a C6? If so, not too rough; because the 400's bolt pattern is the same as a Lima (429/460) block. But if your tranny is in fact a C4 which is more likely in a '68; you've got some hunting to do.
Headers may also be an issue; I don't know if the "Cleveland swap" headers will work (fitting in the engine bay) with the tall-deck 400.
Get past those problems; and you just need to get some Aussie Cleveland "quench heads" and build up the unibody/suspension to handle the torque!
Edster
Founding Member
A 400 is 1 inch taller than a 351C. I think Edelbrock cleveland heads would fit it but thats about it. Great motor w/ great potential. I'd rather try and squeeze it into a bigger body such as a Fairlane 500/Talledega style. Also watch out for the 351M a 400 block w/ a 351W crank. Same issues.
StangDreamin'
Founding Member
I wondered about that spark plug issue.
Knowing that the angle of the cylinder bores (with respect to the Crankshaft centerline) was the same as that of a Cleveland; it would follow that the sides of the heads were farther apart, which is why I questioned the available headers that would fit. But I thought that the shock towers wouldn't mess with spark plug access - since I thought the shock towers angled farther outward as they went up. I didn't bring it up because I just didn't know if it really was a problem. Glad to know that somebody who's tried it could jump in.
There's a '62 Galaxie shell in one of the dinky junkyards in town. Since I've seen Lima motors stuffed in those bodies at nearly every Car Show that I've attended; I'd think a built 400 would be a pretty good "change of pace" for a '62. Just have to dump all the mid-70's smog equipment for some performance Cleveland stuff. I'm pretty sure somebody (besides Edelbrock) must make a non-smog performance intake manifold for a 400.
Knowing that the angle of the cylinder bores (with respect to the Crankshaft centerline) was the same as that of a Cleveland; it would follow that the sides of the heads were farther apart, which is why I questioned the available headers that would fit. But I thought that the shock towers wouldn't mess with spark plug access - since I thought the shock towers angled farther outward as they went up. I didn't bring it up because I just didn't know if it really was a problem. Glad to know that somebody who's tried it could jump in.
There's a '62 Galaxie shell in one of the dinky junkyards in town. Since I've seen Lima motors stuffed in those bodies at nearly every Car Show that I've attended; I'd think a built 400 would be a pretty good "change of pace" for a '62. Just have to dump all the mid-70's smog equipment for some performance Cleveland stuff. I'm pretty sure somebody (besides Edelbrock) must make a non-smog performance intake manifold for a 400.
ratio411
Founding Member
That engine is nearly as wide and heavy as a 460.
I would rather have the cubes if I was going to deal with a tight fit like that!
Also, with the 460, there are actually swap header and engine mounts made to put it in a 67-68. Unlike the 400, which there is NO swap parts made for your combo. You will have to fab everything yourself.
I would rather have the cubes if I was going to deal with a tight fit like that!
Also, with the 460, there are actually swap header and engine mounts made to put it in a 67-68. Unlike the 400, which there is NO swap parts made for your combo. You will have to fab everything yourself.
Weiand's 8010 is the only other intake choice for the 400. It's an "Action Plus" line intake which are similar in rpm range to the Edelbrock Performer 400. The Weiand has a bit more meat around the ports though and might work with 4 bbl Cleveland heads. The biggest hurdle with the 400 is piss poor piston choices, all the off the shelf items fall short of the deck by at least .060". There is one vendor on the FTE site that's supposedly got better pin height pistons for them, but they're offered in cast only. Not that a cast piston is a bad thing, but if one wanted to really juice one up, he might want forgings. I did one using Cleveland forged pistons but the pin bores had to be opened up for the 400 pins and they still fell short of the deck by .060. Sum-bitch was a runner with the Weiand 8010, topped with a Holley 750 and the valves bumped by a Comp Cam's 280H, but the damn thing wanted only 93 octane premium gas with only a 9.7 to 1 comp ratio. You can build a 390 with the same general specs and it'll run on 87 octane.
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