Performance Engine Building and Parts
Development
TMeyer Inc., as mentioned
in the previous section, is a precision
automotive machine shop in Fairmont, Minnesota. The
shop's services span from CNC machining, to driveline repair,
to cast-iron crack repair, yet they have established themselves
as a trusted high performance Ford engine building shop. What
sets Tim Meyer and his team apart from most Ford engine builders
is an open-mind and an appetite for knowledge. A great result
of this attitude is the 351M/400 block 434 stroker kit shown
here.
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434 Stroker Kit
This 400 Ford Stroker Kit (4.250" stroke) includes
a 4340 Forged Steel Crankshaft, Forged "H" beam
rods, oversize Forged Pistons, King rod and main bearings,
a premium ring set, and a billet timing chain set. A harmonic
balancer is also available with the kit. Depending on
desired compression ratio, the entire kit sells for $2300.00
from TMeyer Inc. |
TMeyer Inc.'s objectivity about the
351M/400 has made them innovators of performance parts for
this often overlooked mill. By treating the 351M/400 as equals
among Windsor's, Clevelands, FE's and 385-series engines,
their shop is now serving a special Ford niche made up of
F-series, Bronco, Pantera, and XA/XB Falcon enthusiasts. TMeyer
Inc. has also peaked the curiosity of those just starting
to believe in the 351M/400.
TMeyer Inc.'s reputation is especially strong within the
Ford truck community. In fact, it was the crew within the
335-series forum at www.ford-trucks.com
that brought them to the attention of FordMuscle. Tim Meyer
has become the unofficial "go to guy" for turnkey
performance-built 351M/400s. His team's experience building
these motors has made the shop a valuable resource for information
and specialty components specific to the 351M/400.
In addition to carrying carefully selected "off-the-shelf"
performance engine parts for the 351M/400, like cylinder heads,
camshafts, intakes, valvetrain components, balancers, ring
sets, etc., TMeyer Inc. has developed some of their own specialized
351M/400 performance parts. Most notably is their 400
Stroker Kit (referenced above) and options in Hypereutectic
and Forged pistons. That's right, somebody out there IS
actively doing R&D for 351M/400 specific performance parts.
Here's a list of some other parts that TMeyer Inc. has already
developed for inclusion in his soon-to-be released "All-Ford"
catalog.
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Misc. TMeyer
Inc. 351M/400 Specialty Performance Parts
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Part
|
Description |
| EFI Intake
Adapters |
Allow use of 351C Factory Style Intake Manifolds on 351M/400's
with heads using a stock intake port configuration. Adapters
are tapped for EFI setup. Available for 351C 2V and 351C
4V heads. |
| 4 Bolt Main
Caps |
Available
for center three main journals. Block must be prepped
accordingly. |
| Rear Sump Oil
Pans |
For
F-series applications |
Camshaft Options
Clearly we've supplied ample evidence thus far that the
351M/400 engines have plenty of aftermarket support. With
stroker kits, cylinder heads, and manifolds readily available
at fair prices, the question turns to  camshaft
selection. Cams of course are that key component that give
an engine (and its builder) individuality. And, thanks to
sharing the same cam bore as the 351C, there is no shortage
of individuality in the 351M/400 cam listings. In fact, a
glance at the Comp
Cams catalog reveals nearly 30 off-the-shelf grinds for
the 351C/351M/400 motor. An additional 30 or so custom grinds
are also available. These cams cover the gammet, from flat
tappet to roller, and hydraulic to solids ranging from 201
to 298 degrees of duration. We have no doubt that the other
major cam companies have similar pages dedicated to these
motors.
What's important to understand is that most of the recommendations
found in camshaft manufacturer catalogs are most likely written
with the stock 351 displacement in mind rather than 400, or
more, cubic inches. This just means you need to think a little
about the rpm ranges quoted on the cam card. A given duration
and lift cam will perform at a lower rpm range as the engine
displacment increases. A cam rated to operate at 2500-6000
rpm in a 351C engine may be expected to operate up to just
5500 rpm in a 400 motor. Whenever you are deviating significantly
from the stock displacement you'll need to consider this factor
as cubic inches tend to "tame" duration. Keep in
mind that these considerations are along with the usual factors
of compression ratio, cylinder head flow, stall converter,
and of course plain 'ol desire for a lopey idle.
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 (351M/400
Camshafts Continued) |
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 About
Price Motorsport
Price Motorsport (PME) is well
known in the 351M/400 community for their manufacture
of adapters giving enthusiasts the ability to use 351C
and 351W intake manifolds on 351M/400 motors. See the
section "Specific Intake Manifolds and Adapter
Plates" in this article.
Family owned and operated, Bill
and Mary Price have been running the show for 25 years.
Bill has the engineering and racing background while Mary
has the managerial and organizational skills to keep it  together.
As a team, they study the Ford performance aftermarket
and develop
complimentary parts. Their 351M/400 intake adapters are
a perfect example of the niche they've carved out.
PME machines 99% of their products themselves in their
Hope, Indiana shop.
PME enjoys interacting with Ford enthusiasts, this is
why they sell directly to the public. Lately, both Bill
and Mary are noticing a increasing importance to buy and
sell items that are Made in the U.S.A. PME spends extra
time and effort in this endeavor and hopes that other
manufacturers will follow their lead.
For more information and a complete list of PME products
see:
www.pricemotosport.com |
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TMI/KB2347 Hypereutectic Piston for Stock Heads
TMI/KB2344 
Forged Flat Top Piston for TMeyer Inc. 434 Stroker
Kit
TMI/KB2334