351M or 400 or?

[ripsnorter]

Ok, as anyone thats read my thread about my troubles getting my 300 installed knows, I'm. well. I'm having trouble.

A guy locally has a 74 or 75 3/4 ton 4x4 that he wants to sell me, straight body, good motor, fresh transmission, but has the dash removed.

He's unsure of the engine, he thinks its either a 351M or a 400.

Now. My questions:

is the 351M worth anything? or the 400? I know the later 400s were bad because of the amount of detuning and smog they put on them, what about something in the 74/75 era? i wasnt aware they had 400s as early as 74.

Would this truck be a better candidate for a 3/4 ton 4x4 frame swap under one of my slicks than the '90 that I was previously thinking about doing?

I'm on my way up to look at it now, so I'll look at this thread when I get back for your advice. If I do get a V8 to install rather than the 300 i'm currently working on, i'll probably put the 300 in my little '62 instead. I'd still like to have a small I6 in one of my rigs.

[FORDBOYpete]

This will probably get me in trouble, but I have a negative impression of 335 series engines, or the late 70s 351M/400 engines. I am a 460 fanatic, but I'd run a Y block before I'd run a 335 series engine.

In fact I just gave one away on the condition I was not responsible for it at all. He heard it I yanked it & he took it away. He's on his 4th engine in 2 or 2-1/2 years. I bet he calls me in a few months to tell me he scattered it too.

Oil goes to rods last, mains 2nd to last & that's if there is any oil PSI left to get it there. The cam, lifters, rockers & heads get too much oil (IMHO)

But the good news is there are people who like them & they are always willing to take 'em because they always seem to need one, or two.

FBp

[jakdad]

The 351M400 wouldn't be my choice either with the 302,351W availability. Or the FE & 385 series. The oiling problems can be fixed. I wouldn't use the 351M under any circumstances. The 400 can be a real stump puller but needs Aussie heads, some cam and an aluminum 4 bbl intake. Good luck.

[Phil]

Dollar per HP you will spend 460 type money to get low HP in comparison.
Not many parts options, Smog motor.

If it was free in a running car maybe

some musings here

http://www.torinocobra.com/forum/viewto ... ight=#2535

[ripsnorter]

well, i just got back from looking at it and its quite a bit rougher than what I expected.

hasnt been run since '98, and even then it had quite a few problems. Body is rough but not bashed, floor pans almost rusted through in most spots, and the dash is out of it. The engine looked in about the same condition, with the air cleaner just resting on it and all sorts of crap falling into the carburetor when i tried to take it off.

It looked to me like it would be more of a project than what i already have, whether I decided to keep it as a backup truck til i get my 66 running, or if i used it as a donor. I dont really fancy going through the work of installing the engine when its not an engine i want anyway.

By the way it was a '77, standard cab F250 4x4.

[FORDBOYpete]

That's a great platform for an upgraded Slick if you are wanting a 4X4 with 21st century type amenities though. I say that as long as the rolling chassis is straight and not rusted rotten. . . . .

Drivetrain for a 335 (351M/400) will bolt up to a 385 series (377-429-460) type engine.

FBp

[shawns fords]

I had over 400k on my original 351M and it runs as good as my 2006 5.4l FFV 3v "high tech" "modern times" 15 mpg crew cab 4x4 which sold for 5 times as much, Dad bought my 78 new and we gave it A real run for its money, yet taking care of it by changing the oils and filters and suspension parts etc etc, its lasted longer than anything else I know of. it now has a fresh 400m (406 actually) and trans was rebuilt for first time last summer, the engines are cheap because nobody wants them, they never fail emissions, and have all the tourque in the world you need, it still uses the 2bbl carb and intake, I use it for the heavy duty work hauling tile and carpet to the Dump. the only problem with an old vehicle is they are worn out from years of use, if I didnt need to replace the suspension, and do a ton of body work to grumpy I prob wouldnt have bought the 06, also the 385 series has been as good to me as the 335

[Customcab4x4]

I know I'll catch heat for this, but the 335 series is much maligned by many. They respond well to most upgrades and make decent power. A lot of people speak of them being dogs due to the fact they were "detuned" for emmisions. What that amounts to for the most part is the pitiful cam and valve event timing that was common at that time. If you put a decent aftermarket cam in it and change the gearset and chain to a "straight up" set, it will really wake one up. Add to that headers or at least duals, recurve the distributor and they are pretty good runners.
True, the 460 will outperform it buck for buck, but if you already HAVE the 400 it's pretty simple. The 460 option is always there though since it will bolt up to the same bellhousing.

Good luck, Phil