I was looking for some opinions on the swap. the mechanicles are not the problem. I have a 77 F150 4x4 with a 74 360/NP435 combo. I just bought a 78 lariet 4x4 with a 351m/c6 combo. The 360 is well worn and the NP435 has 385,000 miles on it. The 351 has 90,000 and the c6 is less than 3000 miles. what would you do? keep what i have or swap in the new?

 

Some might call me dumb but im a standard man id go with the old. it all depends on what you like if you dont mind auto put that in less miliage

 

The 360 and the 351m. Two... well, let's not go there.

Is the 90000 351m stock or near to it? I wouldn't swap in a stock one, what's the point? And 90k isn't exactly fresh.

Do you want to swap an automatic or are you ok with the manual? The c6 won't fit on your 390 (ok, your 360, read on...), but you might be able to horse trade it for one that will if you must go automatic.

Here's what I'd do with your money:

Freshen the 360 into a 390 with some compression. (9.5 or so) See the FE threads for that story over and over again. (390 crank, rods, pistons)

Upgrade the cam, go with an aftermarket intake, 600 cfm carb and headers/dual exhaust. You will gain 75 or more horse and use the same amount of gas as the 360. All without changing mounts, accessory drives, the trans, the linkage, the wires....etc.

Then I'd put in an nv4500 trans.
http://www.high-impact.net/transmiss...ion%20Packages

Scroll down for Ford specific info.

 

I personally like the 360 better then the 351m, JMO

 

Did you buy the 78 for the engine and tranny in order to do this? If the 360 and 4sp are both shot this seems like a reasonable solution. If you think you might like the automatic better that's a good enough reason as well. My arthritic knees are trying to talk me into converting to auto. There is really no wrong answer.

 

90,000 miles on the 351M ..... if you use it like it is, it probably would like a fresh set of rod and main bearings slipped into place if the crank looks good, and a new oil pump, along with freshening up the heads. A C-6 at 3,000 miles, if done right, is hard to beat.

If the 360 was well sorted out, being a 74 combo in a 77 truck and all, and if I was happy with it generally, I'ld put my efforts into a 390 rebuild and maybe some bearings and synchro rings in the trans.... and a new clutch disc & TO bearing at the minimum while she's apart.

The 351 is a low compression gas guzzler, but as I recall .... 360s liked gas too.

 

I hate 351M. I have one in a parts truck with 58,000 miles, and I wouldn't conider touching it.

Your 351 and 360 is a complete different engine block, thus you would need to change the motor mounts, everything... It's nice that you have everything needed to change, if you do so.

Personaly, I'd scrap that 351, and keep the 360. That engine is a king. The 360 is a destroked 390. Only difference is the crankshaft and pistons. I'd rebuild that 360 into a 390.

Tyl

 

Well both tranny's are bulletproof. I'd freshen up the 4 speed, but it's your choice whether to go standard or auto. That aside the 360 is hands down, a better engine. I think that if you threw in the 351M you'd be disappointed. I would definitely go with the 360, you could throw in a 390 crank, or even step it up with a 428 crank for 410 ci.

 

I got a 360 or 390? (have'nt checked length of stroke yet)
I would like to stroke it out to a 427 some day

 

Uhh, you might be able to have a custom crank made to do that, but it will not be a 427 like the original. Nor will it be close.

 

Stroker crank kits are avalable now in 4.25" stroke that will make 445ci with a .030 over 360 or 390 block. Check with Survival Motorsports.

 

I am very grate full for all of your opinions. I finaly drove the 351 yesterday and had a flash back to when my truck had a bad 6 in it LOL. The c6 works like new.I am keeping the 360. Any one interested in a good 351m. LOL

 

The 410 of the '66 an '67 Mercury's was a 390 with a 428 crank, although these were 4v.

Happy to help c.l.nye. I might want that 351M. Oh wait, my first one is now serving as a boat anchor. I had the block crack on my last one. And I don't miss 'em.

 

Oh haha. Bill (numberDummy) told me those 351M were problematic engines. The cylinders tend to crack under pressure.

If I did used it in my truck, there'd be an inch of welding all around the block.

Tyl