Ok guys, I'm restoring my 78 F250, I have a 300I6 here at my house to go in it, but it came with a 351M.

I'm having a very very hard time finding the towers for the 300 for a 4x4 F250.. BUTTT the 351M original to the truck is at a rebuild shop being rebuilt now. I can probably get it back for about 800 to 1000 bucks.

Should I do the 300 for my low end pulling power on the farm
OR the 351M just because this truck has the chance of becoming my favorite toy to go show off in town, on the farm, or where ever I feel like it.

I am a high school student, this is my Jr year and I'm hoping to have it done to drive to my senior prom.. Kinda like the big unveiling... I'm not planning anything bigger than MAYBE a 35" tire for it. If that big... I want it to be loud and proud when I'm done...

The 351 would keep me from having to regear my axels... I imagine

 

They make similiar power. The I6 at a lower rpm. The 300 will get better mpgs than the 351m,but the V8 is going to sound better. It's all on what you prefer and whats most important to you. Sound or mpgs? There are upgrades for both, 400 crank swap in the 351 is well known. I'll probably offend some of the 335series guys but the 300 I6 will almost definitely outlast the 351m.

The mounts for the FE engine(360/390) from 73?-76 are the same as the 300.

 

Your best bet and bang for the buck would be to turn that 351m into a 400.

 

I just checked my vin # and it is a 400.

 

I would definitely stick with that then. I think it has a lot more upside than the straight six. Intake and carb swap, staight up timing chain and gear set, and a set of headers will really wake it up.

 

That's kind of what I'm thinking...
But I have also been reading on here and the oil psi issues with the M's have me wondering how long this rebuild will last...

I also happen to know where SEVERAL good 460 cores are in my junkyard... But I do want to afford to drive it some... And a 460 under my *18 year old* foot... Mpg's? What's that?

 

If the rebuild is done right you should not have to worry about low oil pressure.

 

I think I'm going to see if I can get it back...

 

I'm trying to figure out where this is any different from the 300....The 300 comes from the factory with timing gears, no chain. It has seven main bearings, and if you swap in an offenhauser intake with a holley 390 CFM carb and a set of headers you will wake up the 300.

Add to that the fact that the 300 routinely outlasts any of the V8's by about 2x the mileage, and the 300 makes it's torque at a much lower RPM, and I'd have to say the 300 is a better engine choice. Especially when you figure in the gas savings.

 

Well my only problem is I can not find the towers for the 300 for my 78... Add to the fact that I would have to fab up a hydro clutch system for it, and the fact that I would have to drop even more $$ to rebuild it and the 400 starts sounding a lot better for a "budget build" along with the fact that I have the linkage, bell housing, and almost everything for the clutch on the 400 in my shop...

 

Every build is different and every builder has different needs. I was basically just pointing out that everything ibleedblue posted about the 400 also applies to the 300. If the 400 is a direct bolt in for your particular truck, you will more than likely have less headaches going with it over the 300. Sooo, that said, wanna sell the 300 you got?? Just kidding. The wife would murder me.

 

Dollar wise, probably better off to stick with the 400. The 351M/400 seems to have a bad rep, but in my experience they are a strong engine and last a long time if maintained. Especially if you build one "right"...............

 

The 300 is for sale... I don't need it if I get the 400 back.
78 PEB: the shop that has mine is pretty well know in this area and if they don't do it right.. I'm gonna pin it on them till they do it right.

 

Where you located at danger ranger??

 

Valdosta Ga
I'm about 30 min from the flordia line... Bout 10 min if I drive like gas is cheap..