I've got a 77 F150 4x4 with an all stock 351M with 58,000 original miles on it and it is a 3-legged dog; a gutless wonder.

So, it's going into the garage for a few items like water pump and radiator hoses, etc. So, I figured while I'm in there, I'd like to swap the cam, timing set and the necessary valve train upgrades which will run about $400 in parts.

Should I invest this money or wait for a better engine (400, 460) to come along and simply do a swap? I can't afford to have one built or convert mine to a 400cid. I have about $500 to spend.

Just not sure if the gains are worth the cost.

 

The timing on stock engines is retarded quite a bit so that should wake the engine up. A cam will give a nice rumble and a small power gain. You could pull the heads and port them yourself for pretty low buck. A 4bb around 600cfm and an intake will help flow. You could pick up a set of long tube headers for cheap used as well.

I think a mildly built up 351 will produce more power than a stock 400. A 460 swap will cost a bit in conversion kits.

 

Check the compression and if it's good start putting the above mentioned mods. If it's got low numbers start saving for a swap/rebuild.

 

^^^^
Agreed, spend few hours doing serious research on how your engine is doing. 60K miles is a bunch for these old engines. You might be spending a bunch on a loose engine.

id slap a cheap cam and a pre 71 timing chain and run it till she pops. in the mean time find the engine you want 400m,460,351w and build it up in your spare time. When it's done make a weekend job to swap them out.

Trust me building an engine and still having a running truck is the hot ticket!

 

The cam, timing chain (and valve springs) should help it. If you can get that done for $400-500 that's pretty good. Valve springs are pretty much mandatory as 351m/400 springs have zero capacity for a bigger cam. Timing to 12 degrees at idle should help it also if its not already there.

 

Compression ck 1st yes... then straight up timing set, intake and carb, cheap and easy and will help it some. Intake and carb only, is real easy.

But since you are already doing a water pump, might as well put in a new a new timing set, its just behind the blocking plate.

Do not strip out the 2 bolts that only go in the plate and not the block when re nstalling the water pump.

 

Dang dude you are just copy and pasting like a mad man. lol

 

What is up with this dude ? I saw him in another thread also ...

 

Wow not to go off topic but really! 77&79 has helped me numerous times. And if someone post the same info it's a conformation of an earlier post. So in my mind if rather have 2 or 3 people say the same thing then go off the advice of just one. If you have a personal issue with someone take it up privately leave the drama for your mama

And to op I agree with 77&79

 

Just please, don't convert your engine to a 400. The 400 stroke is far too long in my opinion. They are prone to bearing failure. The shorter stroke of the 351 is much more reliable. (I'm sure other people will disagree, but this is just my experience)

 

Ignition timing brings up another question. Mine is right at factory....one of the first things I checked...if I remember that's 8 BTDC. I was going to play with it but didn't have wrench to loosen that lousy bolt nestled against the manifold. Can anyone share what they use?

 

What is your reasoning behind that? That's the first time I ever heard this. Just curious is all. Most everyone wants to convert a 351M to 400 for more low end grunt. I've had both and in stock form neither seems better than the other until you start replacing the junk timing set, cam, etc.
Both the 351M and 400 have premature bearing wear. Tmeyer has a way to correct this and get more oil down to those bearings.

 

They make a wrench that is bent at 90 degrees for loosening distrib hold down bolt. Mine had 1/2" on 1 end and 9/16" on the other. I have had it 30 years or more but I would imagine any good parts house would have 1. I know napa does

 

I know I should just ignore this, but I just can't .

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Search Results

I think I see a reccuring theme...

Look in the mirror my friend, YOU are the ultimate "Carpet Bomber" on this forum.

You state that you belong to a lot of different forums, I suggest you contact your owners and have them put you back in the dog kennel you escaped from....

Sorry for the .
No back to your regularly scheduled engine thread.

 

And you sir.......what do you add to the forums? you take cheap shots at people, you readily admit "Ive watched this forum long enough to see......."..
That makes you a spectator, in an interactive forum a spectator serves the same purpose as teeeeeeitttts on a Nun.