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th400 in a 40 ford?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Jason455, Aug 21, 2009.

  1. Jason455
    Joined: Jun 21, 2004
    Posts: 515

    Jason455
    Member

    I know the th350 fits well in a 40(had one). But, has anyone put a GM th400 into a 35-40 ford coupe? Does the cross member have to be butchered badly? I am assuming it does, I cant find much info about th400 in 35-40 fords. I have not had the time to mock it yet. Still planning in my head. I got a killer deal on a complete drive train is why I ask. Thanks Jason
     
  2. 36couper
    Joined: Nov 20, 2002
    Posts: 2,014

    36couper
    Member
    from ontario

    I have a 400 turbo in my '36. At the time, we virtually re-did the entire chassis with new cross members and installed a Must II front end and a Posie's super slide spring set up. I would imagine if you want to install a 400 turbo in an original chassis it will take some major mods.
     
  3. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    I would just SELL the Turbo 400 and get a Turbo 350. It takes major cutting and modifications to install the Turbo 400 in a 40 chassis. Then you have to ask yourself WHY ??

    The 400 is a stronger transmission but the gear ratios are so similar ...
    the difference is not noticeable driving. Also ... the Turbo 400 as a higher parasitic drag factor ( it takes more HP ... to turn it ).

    Disclaimer :
    I do have a Turbo 400 in my 32 Roadster ... but it has 430 HP and with a 150 HP shot of NOS ... it is closer to 600.
    A Turbo 350 would require a good bit of heavy duty aftermarket upgrades to handle that.
     
  4. Retrorod
    Joined: Jan 25, 2006
    Posts: 2,034

    Retrorod
    Member

    The 400 is physically bigger than a 350, mostly in width....it just needs a bigger "hole" to fit in a '40.
     
  5. El Caballo
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 6,332

    El Caballo
    Member
    from Houston TX

    To all the naysayers, it sounds like there is a big-block on the other end. Jason, can you elaborate further?

    The all knowing, all seeing, squirrel could answer any TH350/400 question you have.
     
  6. 40Standard
    Joined: Jul 30, 2005
    Posts: 5,971

    40Standard
    Member
    from Indy

    I like the fit of a turbo 350 in a 40
     
  7. Jason455
    Joined: Jun 21, 2004
    Posts: 515

    Jason455
    Member

    I found a small block 400ci/th400 out of a 1970 caprice wagon. It runs great and is $100(from a friend). I already figured on the th350 fitting better. I have a th350 in the shed so I guess I will have to rebuild it and use the th400 in a different project. I do not want to butcher the crossmember. Thanks everyone.
     
  8. i have always used a th350 in `35-`40 Fords. i worked on a `40 ford a few years ago that had a th400 and i was shocked by the hacking that someone did to put it in. if you go with a TH350 i can set you up with a transmission mount

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2009
  9. 4tford
    Joined: Aug 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,824

    4tford
    Member

    I have a400 in my 40 behind my hemi. chassis engineering has nice center mount section for the original frame. I used the short tail 400. couple of pics.
     

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