i have a 4x4 ford f-150 with the 400m in it. i dont know anything about these motors has anyone had experience with them? good or bad? i bought it from a guy and he told me the only thing that ever went wrong with it was he went to start it one day and it back fired and bent a pushrod, he replaced the pushrods and all has been fine since, well ive had the truck for about a month now and it sounds like a loose rocker arm, how do i adjust them? thanks
I don't think the rockers are adjustable. I think Crane and Comp Cams make a retro kit to make them adjustable though. The nice thing about the 351m and 400m engines is that they use the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the 429 and 460. If you have to swap the engine IMO that would be the way to go.
I like the 400s. Make decent torque and they have a TON of potential, though they are tall, wide and heavy. The 460 is almost a direct swap and is about the same physical size, just longer than the 400. They are basically a tall-deck cleveland. I have seen a couple of them that have wiped a lobe on the camshaft for some reason or another and they will start ticking like a loose rocker. Most that I've seen apart have wear on the mains as well...but they were all 200,000+ mile engines, so that's to be expected.
I had a lot to do with them back in my 4 wheeling days cause I had 78 & 79 Broncos. Never had any problems with them. Although not a powerhouse without extensive modifications, they were more than enough for my purposes. Definately held up well. Rockers are non adjustable type.
