71-74 Comet engine swap

I like to think of the 400 as a tall deck, stroker Cleveland. 4" stroke and 4" bore. Definitely produces grunt! These engines were overlooked for decades, but I think Kaase and Richard Holdener have shown some of their potential. Richard has a good youtube video about this platform.

I am a big 429/460 fan but my 400 makes far more power and torque than the original 302 my Mach came with.

 

I've seen Holdener's Ford 400 videos. I'd love to build a 400 with a Performer 4bbl intake, aftermarket heads that have 2v-style ports & closed chambers, and a decent cam. With good heads you can deck the block enough to get the pistons even with the top of the hole. You have good quench to kill the Cleveland's tendency toward detonation, aluminum heads and intake handle any weight issues. You can make 500hp, 500 ft lbs of torque, and a broad torque curve. As much as I love a 302 you can't make one do that.

 

Yes, the shortcomings of some 400s were pistons down in the hole at TDC, low compression ratio, and the possibility of detonation. I'd like to upgrade to aluminum heads, but I have a spare set of 2Vs that I may tweak and install beforehand.

 

This is in your Mav, is it? How hard was it to get it squeezed in there?

 

Jaybee, the 400 is actually in my '72 Mach 1. Both my Maverick and Comet have modded 302s

 

Got it. The 71-73 were designed with all the room needed to put a 429-460 under the hood so of course a 400 will fit.

 

Yep, one of the traits I like about 71-73 Mustangs....engine bay room!