Thread: 400 Ford block!

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Well today in my auto tech class I went upstairs searching for some heads to take home to practice porting and polishing when I came along some engines up there that I used to think were probably pieces of crap new engines and all but now looked closer and found out there is a inline 6 GM 250 engine block up there, and then some GM block (not sure of it yet still trying to figure it out) and then a Ford 400 block.
Well I looked up the numbers on the Ford block and so far what I found it to be is a 71-80 Ford 400 block with the same bellhousing pattern as a 351c.
What do you guys think about this engine? I am pretty sure I can just take it home and all if I wanted and the cylinder walls are in great shape. I think all it really has is the crank and MAYBE the cam. But I thought, even if I don't plan to put it in nothing right now that if I can just get it and take it home for nothing that it can come into use later.
Any info on these engines, oppinions, comments, pro's, con's?
Mike (Pro60) helped me out a lot and I got his oppinion on it, etc but just wanted to get more.

Also what do you guys think on the 250 engine? I am sure most of you know I would love to build a inline 6 for something one day and make it haul some butt.

Thanks a lot for any info guys!
Shawn-

There are those of us who think it's a turd and there are others who think it's a great motor. You decide.
http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...ghlight=mighty

Good thread, thanks. Looks like it's a waste then to build a 400. What about that 250? Also what do you think about me stroking the 302 to a 347 when it needs rebuilding? This is my everyday driver that I have the 302 in so I don't need a big block pusing some 600 HP. 400 HP is more like it for me heh.

250's make 155 horsepower stock, usally but that's the number they slapped on 250 6cyl Camero's in 1968, and that's a generalized number I go by cause I remember it as my friend has a 100% restored '68 RS Camero with the stock 250 6cyl and a powerglide and he has all the original documentation and it all says 155 HP, also, www.carnut.com says the same thing. 250's can be built up to almost match hp per cubic inch, with the after market parts made for them, the availability to mount a 4-71 Blower on them, or lotsa carbs, they can be built to motor, 292's are better but, I was watching dragracing on speed and there was a guy with a '68 Camero that had it's original 250 but it was a pro street, the engine had been custom built with even custom engine internals and a 4.71 Blower and NOS, it was said to run 600 without NOS and like 725 with NOS, I can't remember his times though.

Think I should try grabbing the 250 then? I found the head today completely assembled with carb on it, etc. The only thing that's not there to it is the pistons, rods, crank, oil pan, and some other stuff. Basically there is the block, cam, heads with vavles, etc and the carb. I am sure I can find the valve cover and maybe the crank up there. Upstairs is so messy and no lights so I only have a flash light and it's PACKED with junk and stuff. I think what I found also is a Ford 9 inch rear end up there too. I think it's the WAR case though.

grab the 250. That 9" might be a 8", they both used third members and look very close.

Matt, you may be right about the 9". After looking at it I thought how it could be an 8" maybe. It does have 31 spline though I know that.
I am going to try and grab the 250 then. Not sure what to put it in though. I have been having second thoughts about the 48 too... I have been thinking about how making it a pro street will take more than 10,000 bucks and just now thinking about maybe getting it built quicker and cheaper for now so it doesn't sit outside still and rot away. I don't wan't to do this because I would really like a pro street but I was thinking of maybe buying another car and making a full out drag car with it like finding a Nova, gutting it all out and just throwing a big block in it and not have it street legal, etc. I am thinking the 48 will be hard to make a drag and street car and take too much money, especially at my age and how I will be going to college in a few months and all.
Not sure though I may still try working towards the pro street thing but we'll see.