[DeTomaso] c & m blocks

[gow2 at rc-tech.net]

 X2
 On Tue 10/08/10  6:05 PM , "Steve Hawkins" shawkins777 at comcast.net
sent:
 This not accurate information.  Almost everything on a 351C will swap
over
 to a 400 except the crank, rods, push rods and motor mounts.  You
will need
 adaptor plates if using Cleveland heads and intake though.  A 400
with
 aluminum heads weighs about what a 351c does with iron heads, much
less than
 a 460.  All performance parts for a 351c will fit a 400 so I don't
know what
 Jack is referring to.  If a 351c stroked to 408 will make power then
so will
 a 400 with the same performance parts.  I just happen to have Dan
Jones
 400fmx block ready to go into my Pantera with A3 heads, a roller cam
and a
 Weber intake with individual runner EFI.  It's bored 40 over was
sonic
 checked with plenty of meat on all cylinders and I'm expecting
550-600HP at
 the flywheel.
 Steve
 -----Original Message-----
 From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [] On
 Behalf Of 
 Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:53 PM
 To: ; 
 Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] c & m blocks
 In a message dated 8/9/10 12:21:04 PM,  writes:
 > Aren't the engine mounts different?
 > Most 400 blocks, and I guess the 351M, require a different 
 > bellhousing,
 > same as the big blocks.
 > 
 Absolutely correct, Thomas. I had one around for a few weeks out of a

 motorhome, with a split cylinder (separated an intake valve going up
a hill;
 stock are the infamous 2 piece valves). The engine mounts in the 'M's
are 
 "unique"- different from all small, mediium and big blocks. The
bellhousing
 has a 
 big-block pattern except for the rare 400M with a dual bellhousing
bolt 
 pattern (I've only seen photos from Dan Jones' collection). The
blocks are
 1" 
 taller on each side than a 351C, and use very long con-rods as a
result. The
 higher block pushes the heads and headers up so the left one hits the
 Pantera 
 fuel tank and both hit the rear springs so custom headers are needed.
There 
 are other detail differences, too. But the biggest obstacle is the
cracking 
 often found in the lifter galley in seasoned blocks: it will be a 
 horizontal crack above the lifer bores, about 4"-6" long thru into
the water
 jackets 
 and unrepairable; the result of an entirely new core shift during
casting. 
 This was finally corrected in the mid-'70s but beware of early
blocks. And 
 none were thick-wall cylinders either so they still need sonic
testing for 
 cylinder core shift.   
 A buildup can certainly be done- several have been in motorhead
magazines 
 recently but you will replace everything in & on the engine: as-stock
400 
 cubic inches that put out 175 bhp w/2V-type open chamber heads, junk
valves,
 2 
 bbl iron intake, unbaffled oil pans and no specific speed parts
available 
 (some 351C parts swap in). Found in low-revving station wagons, vans,

 motorhomes and the cheaper heavy trucks. FWIW they simply are not
worth the
 effort 
 when 460s are cheaper, stronger, easier to build to higher
performance and 
 easier to find a good one. 400Ms are cheap to buy 'cause no one wants
them. 
 Think of an ox rather than a racehorse....My 2¢- J DeRyke
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