Can I put a 400cid big block into a 1985 capri fox body style?

fourwheel4x4bab · 12-12-2002

I have a 1985 Capri and I am wanting to put a big block Ford 400cid Motor in the fox body style. I was told that it is a 400 cid I'm not personally sure. I'm also not sure what year motor I actually have, on the motor the emissions label says it is a 1974. I was told by a friend that the block numbers say it is a 1971( block numbers at bottom). I also have a 4 speed top loader transmission I'm not sure what year it is either. I was told by a friend the transmission number( number at bottom) is for a 1968 transmission.

My first question is could you please tell me what the motor is, what year it is, and possibly what it originally came out of.
My second question is could you possibly tell me what year the transmission is, what type it is, and possibly what it came out of.

All numbers I have are listed below.

My most important question is will the 4 speed transmission, Bell Housing, and Fly wheel work with the 400 cid motor, and fit in the 1985 Capri.

TRANSMISSION NUMBERS:
Transmission tag number: RUG-02
Transmission Number: C8AR 7006-DW2
Transmission Tail Shaft Numbers: C70-RA040-A
Bell Housing Numbers: 09TA-7505-BA
Fly Wheel Numbers: D7TE 6380 DC

Engine:
Block Numbers: D1AE-6015-A20

Any Infromation would be Greatly Appriciated,

7DMACH1 · 12-13-2002

Looks like it out of a Bronco. the engine numbers just tell the year it was introduced. It won't fit without a lot of modification. The shock towers will probably need to be cut. I don't know what you will use for motor mounts. It's a 400 engine which are not a performance engine. They were used in car from 74-79 but mostly in trucks since the have low end torque but not much horsepower. The heads are the biggest problem. They are well let's say junk. In order for a 400 to run good you have to put Cleveland heads on it. You would be much better off putting a 320 or 351w in this car and you will got faster than the 400. RAY

Jarrett · 12-13-2002

I would look for a 351 if you want to do a swap. The 400 is a dog, makes lots of torque but no good power for performance. Plus there are not a lot of parts available for it.
The 400 also uses big block motor mounts and bellhousing so it is not as easy a swap as the 351W.

fourwheel4x4bab · 12-13-2002

Thank you sooo very much 7DMACH1 and Jarrett

seems to be my normal luck. I do appriciate you both answering my question very very much.

Have a Wonderful Christmas and New Year

Saleen Owner · 12-13-2002

I'll look it up if your interested, I have a back issue of Super Ford with a kit to put a 460 big block in a Fox, thats the only way to go big block cause a bone stock 460 in a Fox will shread almost anything. And there are all kinds of after market parts to go totally ballistic with.

7DMACH1 · 12-13-2002

No problem Kristie, that what I'm here for, to help when I can. You have a GREAT Christmas and New Year also. RAY

Just my opinion on 460 in a Fox. The engine is too heavy. You don't get good weight transfer. You can go just as fast with a windsor. Just my .02 RAY

410cougar · 12-18-2002

me and a buddy put a 400 in his 79. like jarret said its not worth it. we were 15 and had use of my dads shop. so it was fun. had a huge nhra snorkle on it....lol.

j

410cougar · 12-18-2002

oh ya you dont have to cut anything other then make the motor and trany mounts and cut down the driveshaft.

j

410cougar · 12-18-2002

well maybe the hood

j

Monkey Boy · 12-24-2002

The baddest car I have ever seen in my life was a 91 LX with a 600 cubic inch big block in it. It made 1200 hp N/A and something close to 2000 hp with NOS. The best part was that it was an EFI engine and was street legal!

Twister · 12-24-2002

you can make a 400 into a monster engine, remove the smog stuff, deck the heads, raise the compression and use an Edelbrock 4V intake....seen a LTD wagon with a 400 run 140 at El Mirage.....

rustyjunk · 01-16-2003

i agree on going with high winding a small block,it will handle better and will be easier to work on and will be plenty fast with the right parts....but a fox car will except a big block and i have seen installation kits being sold for this conversion to make the swap easier....

Twister · 01-16-2003

the 400 is not really a big block, and is about the same size as the cleaveland. it has better oiling that a cleav, and if de-smogged, it is a very good engine

rustyjunk · 01-17-2003

the swap i was refering to was a 429-460 into a fox body.

466coupe · 01-18-2003

The 429/460 fits in these cars very easy. my 466 powered 88 coupe runs 10.70's all day with a 150 shot and is driven almost daily.It is not the easiest swap but well worth the effort. I have less than 6500 in my whole car and less than 3000 in the engine trans and rearend. The engine is silly mild and could be duplicated for around 1300. Yes the high winding small blocks can run but torque is waht makes you move and the BBF is a torque monster to start with.By the way those 10.70 are run with stock heads 8.5:1 comp. comp 268 cam performer intake and 850 carb along with the swap headers. I am new to this board but if I can help you iny way feel free to shoot me a PM.