71-74 Comet engine swap

Discussion in 'Maverick/Comet Projects' started by Eldrick, Jan 6, 2021.

  1. Eldrick

    Eldrick New Member

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    Hi, I'm new here.
    I'm about to buy a 71-74 Comet, that supposedly "runs" and has the I6 in it. So at this point, i can get a pontiac "Ford model" 400 4-barrell big block with the carb that needs a rebuild. For the people who don't know, the pontiac 400BB is ford design. Pontiac was close with ford back in 68-78

    So what would it take for me to transfer this 69 400BB over to a 71-74 comet?

    I really want to let my neighbors to have nightmares about the demonic sound theyll hear hehehe.
     
  2. Eldrick

    Eldrick New Member

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    Update it is a 1972 Comet
     
  3. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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  4. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

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    My guess its never been done so your pretty much on your own. Best way to swap any big engine into one of these cars is to get one of the front end suspension kits that eliminate the shock towers. Plenty of room for just about anything at that point.
     
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  5. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Pontiac 400 a Ford engine? First time in 50+ years I've heard that. In the '60s, Pontiac did use Ford's three speed transmissions.

    Anyway there is NO such thing as a Pontiac Big Block. All Poncho blocks are same size, whether it a early '60s 326 or a 455. Bell housing bolt pattern is shared with Olds & Buick.
     
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  6. TeeEl

    TeeEl Member

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    Would make more sense to put a 400 SBC in there, since it would fit better and make the same power.

    Pretty sure Pontiac engines have ZERO association with Ford...
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2021
  7. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    upload_2021-1-6_21-6-7.gif
     
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  8. Jaybee

    Jaybee Member

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    That's an interesting swap. Not sure it'll be too easy. It's 5" wider than a sbf, has a rear sump rather than a front sump, and weighs 200 lbs more than a 302. If you go ahead it'll be fun and interesting to watch.
     
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  9. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    I suspect John DeLorean has rolled over in his grave.

    For those not knowing, in late '60s/early '70s, he was president of Pontiac Division. Yes same DeLorean that built namesake. Ford didn't introduce it's 400 till mid '71, makes no sense they'd build one for Pontiac three years earlier. No doubt someone fed the OP a line of BS.

    Other than F-Series fanciers, Ford's 400 doesn't have much of a following. Basically a "tall block" Cleveland design, without major surgery would never fit into a Maverick. The 351M is the tall block 400 stuffed with shorter stroke 351 crank. Big, heavy & bulky, not even the F-Series crowd cares much for those.
     
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  10. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    There’s only 1 good thing about Ford’s 351/400 engine..... it’s easily replaced by a 429/460.:thumbs2:
     
  11. Jaybee

    Jaybee Member

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    My parents had an LTD with a 400. That thing would do all kinds of peg leg burnout until the one spinning tire hooked. Then you realized you weren't going anywhere with any degree of speed. It did burn plenty of gas, though... :huh:
     
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  12. Meangreen71

    Meangreen71 Member

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    400.jpg

    I have a Ford 400 engine in my Mach 1....with a few tweaks (750 carb, aluminum intake, roller rockers, performance cam, headers, under-drive pulleys, Accel ignition, flat tops, etc). -It's no slouch

    It's almost as wide as a 429/460
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2022
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  13. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Built with good heads, intake, cam etc it's no doubt a formattable opponent. A friend had a mildly built 400 in a '79 F-150, ran decent.

    Problem, I don't think Ford ever built one that didn't have a 2bbl carb or asthmatic, small port heads. To really run need borrow a few parts from the 351 Cleveland.


    The OP bailed after two posts, suspect he was just a drive by poster screwin' with the Ford boys.

    Sometime in late '80s I had a LTD with 400, coughed the timing chain, wasn't running. Called scrap guy to to drag it and couple other derelicts to their grave. A few years earlier I'd bought a Country Squire wagon to flip with 400, general POS. To its credit, when temps dropped to -3*F, was only vehicle I had that would start. No I'm not counting Cobra, was tucked away in garage.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2022
  14. rickyracer

    rickyracer Member

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    Also father of the GTO, Garbage Truck with Overdrive. Or Gas Tires and Oil as we called them.
     
  15. rickyracer

    rickyracer Member

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    First you'd really have to be into some serious S&M. Otherwise go with a 460 and C-4, 9" 3.25 gears. You piss them off. As stated, just change some front end stuff. Remember, Dyno Don, Fast Eddie and others did a Boss 429 without Mustang II stuff.
     

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