BigBendBroncos

Bronco Tech => Builds/Projects => Topic started by: williamknapp79 on October 18, 2012, 11:36:11 PM

Title: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 18, 2012, 11:36:11 PM
ive been looking to rebuild the motor in my 79 bronco i have a 400m in it ... i really dont wanna put a 460 in it id just like to get more power out of my 400 before i get ready to start saving for my lift and tires..dose any 1 have any ideas on building a 400 ive seen nothing online about building 1.. all i keep being told is put a rv cam in it..all help would be really appreciated
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: JustaFordGuy on October 19, 2012, 09:12:28 AM
Hey William, First of all welcome to the site. ;D

Although the 400 is a reliable engine there isn't a ton of aftermarket support for it. It really depends on what
you want to use your Bronco for when it's done. If you just want a reliable truck and don't want to spend a bunch of money just do a full rebuild on the 400. Maybe an RV cam, headers, and have the heads ported a little. If you plan on running huge tires and plan to build a bog truck the 460 will be hard to beat because there are a lot of aftermarket parts available for it. Unfortunately a swap like that will cost a lot more. One other option would be a small block stroker motor. This would make big power and have tons of aftermarket parts available but you would have to change your tranny because of the different bolt pattern.

Be sure to keep us posted on your decision and progress.  Get some pictures of the Bronco posted up, I can't wait to see it. ;)
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 19, 2012, 09:42:35 AM
swaping 2 a 460 shouldnt be 2 much i wouldnt think maybe some motor mounts the set up i have is a 400 a c6 with 205 transfer case...im really not sure tho about what needs 2 be swaped out.. my problem is my body was only produced 4 2 years and really was lucky it got produced at all..but my great grandpa n my grandpa both had a 79 bronco ranger xlt n i spent sooo much time in the back of 1 with the top off i had 2 buy this 1 when i saw it for the wonderful price of $1600.00...i just cant wait to start on the restore of it and some upgrading lol..id like to see her sit on some 38s with a really sexy sound new paint and people to just fall in love when she drives by so they can feel just a lil bit of what my truck really means to me
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: BroncoBlair on October 19, 2012, 10:22:38 AM
Thats a good looking 79, I think that everyone on this site can relate with the feeling that you have with your bronco. Good luck with the engine upgrade, either way you will be pleased.
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 19, 2012, 01:54:26 PM
ive spent the last year being downed for owning it and being told to take the dinosaur to the tar pit where it belongs...when i saw this forum i was really happy to see that the bronco isnt just a thing of the past and people still love them....mine has some rust but i know a body guy who dose amazing work he has alot of experience with classics and restores and all of his work is magazine quality he owns american classics in longwood florida and he also just started up www.mudtours.com so as soon as i get up enough money im gonna let him get started with the body and then theres the big choice of color combos n making the inside a lil more user friendly for myself
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: JustaFordGuy on October 19, 2012, 03:52:37 PM
I think Broncos are getting more popular every year and the 78 -79s are getting harder to find. Yours looks like it's in good shape considering it's 33 years old. ;) Hang in there with it and you'll have something to be proud of in no time.
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 19, 2012, 04:13:22 PM
there were 21,492 78-79 broncos produced and around 10,000 are registured form what i read http://www.projectbronco.com/History/78_79_History/history_of_Bronco.htm its really amazing they were ever produced and im proud to have mine i cant wait for it to be like new again
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 20, 2012, 09:20:00 AM
ooooo thats a nice set up right there
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: FloridaBronco on October 22, 2012, 02:25:40 PM
just rebuild the 400, change the valve timing to straight up. During the 70's due to gas shortage and emissons the timing was knocked back. this created lower power. Also the stock timing gear is made of crazy fibre junk, the new ones are metal. Then ditch the stock igntion and add the Summite Billet one wire HEI for M blocks, goes for about $110. also i upgraded to the Summit one wire 100amp alt for a big improvemtn there over the stock 40 amp system. if you really need more torque then go with the RV cam. maybe add the edlebrock 4bbl intake and carb if you want to spent money. the 351M/400's are good torquey engines and last a long time. check out my 79 build on FSB.com under Bob G search
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 22, 2012, 07:17:00 PM
awsome ill deffinitly check it out
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: JustaFordGuy on October 22, 2012, 09:18:53 PM
Yeah you'll like Bob's 79, it's a bad boy.  8)
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 22, 2012, 09:24:16 PM
its hard to find stuff on that site i saw pictures of a blue 1 that had caught fire  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( that was a really beautiful bronco but id deffinitly like to hear more ideas on the motor build cause if i could turn some heads with the original motor that came in my truck id like it keep it as original as i can,,,, i do wanna find some aussie heads if i can tho i hear there the best
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: JustaFordGuy on October 23, 2012, 08:54:17 AM
Unfortunately Bob's 79 did catch fire. :( Hopefully he will have it restored soon.
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 23, 2012, 08:41:11 PM
i have some spare 79 parts if he may need anything ... and if u know any 1 looking for fully rebuild axles let me know i can get all the HD 9inch rear ends u need and dana 60's and dana 44's and i can also get a really good deal on tires cost + 20%
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: FloridaBronco on October 25, 2012, 04:21:20 PM
that burned up one was mine also. the build thread is few years old. and for your poll there is no 400M. there is a 400 and and 351M. the 400 is Modified to a 351 with shorter stroke and long pistons. the super long pistons reduce piston slap and made some of these engines last for many 100,000's of miles.
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 27, 2012, 09:00:29 PM
ahhh see i was told it was a 400m cause it was a modifyed 351 but ive also been told alot about the motor that just dont make sence to me ....i just need enough power to get the truck moving nice with a lift and tires so its not straining to much and wearing out
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: JustaFordGuy on October 28, 2012, 03:17:53 PM
The 400 can be a very reliable engine and be built with plenty of power to move your Bronco. It will also probably be the best route from a cost stand point.
Title: Re: 79 bronco with 400m
Post by: williamknapp79 on October 29, 2012, 05:49:34 PM
ill deffinitly look into it more i dont plan on taking it into the mudd and rippin it up i just want it to look pretty on the weekends at the truck pull and see if i can keep her alive another 33yrs  but i n  would like a lift n tires lol