junkyardjeff

I have heard the early 400 has a smallblock bellhousing bolt pattern and does it also have the same motor mounts as the smallblock like the 351-C does,I would also like to know if a manual trans flywheel from a 289 work on it too. I have a 65 custom 500 that has a 70 302 and it could stand a little more motor and since I was considering a stroker kit for a 351-W a 400 would work if I could use smallblock parts to mount it.

cjperformance

Hi, yes the early 400C has the smallblock 6 bolt bellhousing pattern. Some also have the 4 small block engine mount bosses but they are not drilled. So it is possible to fit an early 400 in where the smallblock came out. But these blocks are prone to cracking and would be getting hard to find too.
If you were to find one and use it the 289 flywheel will bolt on as the crank bolt poatterns are the same and the balance counterweight is also the same. You would want to upgrade the trans if its not a toploader 4spd as the tq of the 400 will mince the earlier trans in no time.
It is probably going to be a much easier prospect to fit a 351W with a stroker kit. The block is better than the early 400 block, easy to find and easy to get accesories to fit aswell.
Cheers,

__________________
Craig Johnston.
Ford, Performance & Vintage engine specialist.
email- cjperformance@lizzy.com.au

junkyardjeff

Where on the block are they prone to crack as I am going to try to find one and if I cant I will use a 351-C or W,a junkyard i frequent has a 73 torino or montego that looked to have a 351-C 2 bbl motor but since the motor is still in the car I am begining to wonder if it has a 400 and nobody wanted it so I am going to take a close look at it next weekend. I can get a 351-C 2 bbl cheap so that might be the motor I use if I cant find a early 400.