Which engine?

[Z28SSMAN]

I was just givin him a hard time. lol

[UL_LUZ98]

I was just givin him a hard time. lol

i got ya

[ReRod]

No 400 SBC love

[Z28SSMAN]

I hear ya ReRod.

400 sbc is a bad sombich.I didn't use it as a comparison because the 400 Ford was never talked about much. But...I fixed it for ya.

[ReRod]

I hear ya ReRod.

400 sbc is a bad sombich.I didn't use it as a comparison because the 400 Ford was never talked about much. But...I fixed it for ya.

I don't know even know if the Ford 400 is a big or small block:rotfl:

[Z28SSMAN]

IIRC, it was in the 351M family. The 351M had a taller deck than the 351C

I found this....

There were two engine types in the Ford engine family known as the 335 series, the 351 Cleveland (351C) and the “M-block.” There were several minor variants of the 351C engine (including the basic 2V and several high-performance 4V versions), but there were only two M-block variants — the 351M and the 400. From 1971 to 1982, Ford manufactured millions of M-block engines for use in mid-sized cars, full-sized cars, luxury cars, and light-duty trucks.
The 400 featured a unique engine block design with the big-block (429/460) bell housing bolt pattern, and the same bore diameter (4.00") and bore spacing (4.38") as the 351C and the later Windsor-class small blocks (i.e., 289, 302, and 351W).
Compared to the 351C block, the 400’s deck height is over 1" taller (10.297" vs. 9.206"), the 400 has larger crankshaft main bearing journals (3.00" vs. 2.75"), and the 400 uses longer connecting rods (6.58" vs. 5.78"). The 400 achieves its additional 49 cubic inches of advertised displacement with a 4.00" stroke of the crankshaft (compared to the 3.50" stroke of the 351C). In fact, the 400 has the longest stroke of any Ford pushrod V8 engine!
Both engine types in the 335 series (351C and M-block) share many design characteristics, but the only major component that is interchangeable between 351C and M-block engines is the cylinder head. Several internal components and accessories interchange, including camshafts, timing sets, water pumps, fuel pumps, oil pans, distributors, and thermostat housings (see the interchange table below for more details). All 335-series engines are externally balanced with a 28 oz-in imbalance on the crankshaft (the same as 302 and 351W engines up to 1982).

[Morvo]

I guess it depends on the size of the bang. For lower to mid level power (say 300-500 hp) a 440 might be cheaper than a 454. However, I believe a big or especially a small Chevy will give the best bang for the buck because there are so many choices.

[HerrKooled]

454 CBB and the 350 CSB are the best bang for their buck, many many combinations of parts for them, for cheap. ford 5.0 is a cheap build up as well for cheap power.

[smooth_358]

i think your forgetting an entirely different set of engines..

[Titan5]

Best bang for the Buck?? HMMMmmmmm....

As the "Church Lady" would say it,
Let me see, Could it be the "454 BBC ???" :lol:

In my opinion the oval port 454 BBC is the motor that will produce the most for the least $$$$$$$, you can "accidently" build a 550 hp /500+ torque motor for about the same green as a stock rebuild using the stock crank and rods.



How many have found a bad "steel" crank in a 454? exactally, almost all of you, how many have found a bad "cast" crank in a 454? suprised, the "steel" cranks have a tendancy to crack more often than the "cast" ones do (when used in stock to mild builds) in these types of motors the "cast" crank will not crack as easily' it is not as ridged and it will flex more.

The biggest trick on the after market cranks besides the material they are made out of is the large radius in the journals, this acts like a "gusset" and strengthens the crank giving it more support at it's weakest points.



So, I feel the cheapest HP/TQ is available from using most of the factory parts is a 454, and the right combo of the other parts needed (that can be found everywhere) to build a very strong, respectable, reliable and affordable power plant. JMO.....

[smooth_358]

id take a buick 455 or olds 455 over bb chevy just because i like to not join the majority

[Z28SSMAN]

Well, I sure like my 454 in the Chevelle. Mine came with the forged crank. It took over 20 years of abuse until Kenny at total found a hairline crack in it. I replaced it with another forged crank from GM. I have a spare cast standard 454 crank too.

[Z28SSMAN]

By the way, the 400 (406) SBC can make great power and torque.

[JJRP57]

What about the good ol' 1.9 in the escort's??

[Titan5]

By the way, the 400 (406) SBC can make great power and torque.

I agree, I have built a few of these, and the 400 SBC can be a very potent piece, but, $ for $ I think the BBC would be cheaper to build and get 500 + out of it on pump gas.