Slick 60's

Ok ,got a question for u guys. why is it that every time i go to the parts house wether it be O'Riely's or AutoZone or the local mom and pop to get parts for my 1976 400 smb (and mind you thats what the ID badge on valve covers clearly says) Although it wouldnt have been my first choice of engines but its what came in the truck when i bought my 65 and it does seem to run ok. I wud like to maybe do a swap later what is a good swap for me and not have to change my mounts and or trany.

351M/400 is the way they are usually listed for parts. decal on valve cover will
say Engine family = 351M/400 , then give CID,listing one or the other.

429/460 will bolt up to your trans.
you will need to get aftermarket rubber mounts for the conversion but they are bolt in so no fabrication is needed.

yep. i went to o'riellys on sunday for some autolite r 45 sparkplugs. the guy behind the counter told me that was an ac delco part number.
being too tired to argue i just slapped the greasy used up autolite r 45 on the counter and asked for eight of them.
sigh...

aholezone is the last place to go if you need somebody that knows what they're talking about- in the instances that you dont. They get completely freaked out when you tell them that you're putting a part on the wrong vehicle.... And if you go in there in an attempt to FIND the wrong part in the first place, you'll get nowhere. MERLE'S on the other hand, tell them what you're looking to do and out comes the catalog and they find 5-10 possibilities for you to try on for size and style.

If you tell them a part number, you're nuked unless you know what year, model and engine it has. (but it's some POS from a C#@^Y that I need to put on my poor old Ford), who gives what engine! I never knew!

(I hate my C#@^Y brake calipers)

I had always thought the 351M/400 engines were introduced beginning with the '77 model year. The '76s that I've had both had 390s.

i thougth that the 400 didn't come until mid 78 or was it 79. the 351m possibly started being used in trucks in 77.

doesn't everyone shop at pep boy's? Merle's auto is a real auto parts store! I go there all the time, I Painted Merle Munson's home up in the foot hills, he sold the company years ago.

The 400 came out in 71, the 351M came out in 74. 77 was the first year that either was used in a truck. 76 still had the 360 or 390. Hawkrod

I would think it very possible that the 400 engine was built in 76 for a 77 model year. They usually start the run in Sept or so for the new model year.
It is also possible it's a '76 car engine.

As for the parts guys, I believe they get their education on FTE

Just beat them at their own game...those pud knockers couldn't find their azz with both hands.
Tell them you have a '78 F100 with a 400 & they won't bat an eye. As long as you give them something the computer likes, you're good to go.

I get so tired of this same dilemma that I now go on the website of the store and look up the part # of what I need. Then just go in and say "I need this!" They usually look dazed and sometimes want to look it up, but its much easier than dealing with 50 questions just to get a lug nut. Or is that a lug nut behind the counter?

Tim

Have you ever been in line behind 6 people only to have them take a call and leave everyone standing?

I've actually called the store while in line and had them pull the part to hold for me. When I see em grab it I walk to the counter and hit the register
Ive only done it twice at stores I don't frequent. I have more Autozone #s on my cell than family and friends.

As for Pep boys they went belly up around here. AZ and NAPA are about it
I established a real rapport with my local AZ and they are very cool and helpful with me. They all know me by 1st name.

Phil wrote:Have you ever been in line behind 6 people only to have them take a call and leave everyone standing?

I've actually called the store while in line and had them pull the part to hold for me. When I see em grab it I walk to the counter and hit the register
Ive only done it twice at stores I don't frequent. I have more Autozone #s on my cell than family and friends.

uh, I think the question is: Has ANYBODY NOT had them leave everybody standing to talk on the phone for half an hour???? It sucks... HAHA that's a lovely idea of calling from the line... I love it.

I had a 76 wagon that had a 400 so its probably a car motor.

the true key for getting the part you need is to know of a more common application.

I ALWAYS Call Aggie a '68 Galaxie when going for FE engine parts.... Cause I know it works, and my dad's LTD (galaxie) is comparable...

I'll never call her a '65 Mercury Montclaire.... Even though that's what it's from. And stuff like the thermostat changed by 68, and that's what the aftermarket companies use...