thoughts on the 351w
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,840
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From: On the prairie
thoughts on the 351w
First a little background. I had planned for a while now to swap my 78 body onto my one ton frame. Once I began tearing the truck apart I found very heavy scaling, spring hangers in need of replacement, and one area by a crossmember nearly 75% consumed by rust. I've begun to realize that this was way more than I could deal with on my budget and timeframe. All is not lost however, as I can resell my turbo and a few other components and come out resonsably ahead since I paid nothing the truck. Now to the 351 part of the story. I still need a truck, and just about all the 3/4 ton fords in my price range have this motor. I loved that IDI, so I thought I'd ask for opinions here instead of elsewhere where I might end up with replys from a bunch of SBF nuts. So any opinions on the mater I would value the diesel guys' opinions the most. I don't tow or haul too much. I just liked the simplicity and user friendliness that came with the diesel.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Hagerstown, Md
id try to find a 6.9 or 7.3 if you could though haha, thats the diesel in me talkin hahaha
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: On the prairie
The other option is taking out a small loan and looking at the 97 powerjoke nearby. $8900, reg cab, 4wd, 138k miles. Really don't want a vehicle that sucks gas and can't do anything. If i've got to take out money to have good power and mileage it may come to that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
I parked my dump truck (see sig) and bought the idi truck because of the 8 mpg. The stock 351's arent much, but with the mods that I did to mine it pulls that 8k lb truck around prety good. I think if I had a zf5 trans it would tow uphill as well or better than my idi... at twice the cost in fuel.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,330
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From: Eaton, CO
You can build or modify a 300 I6 to pull very well and increase fuel economy. That 1bbl carb is a turd.
$8,900 for a reg cab 1997 PSD is too much $.
$8,900 for a reg cab 1997 PSD is too much $.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Higginsville, MO
going with a 97 stroke your going to loose the simplicity and user friendliness too... also when it comes to repairs its not going to be very wallet friendly 
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,320
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From: CT
My 91 has a 351w with the zf 5 speed. Right now it just sucks the gas due to a o2 sensor being in a piece of the exhaust not attached to the engine anymore, and lots of revs (4k mostly a few revs to 5k) when snow plowing in granny gear. It has tons of power compared to a 302 truck i've been in.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: On the prairie
I don't know about Idaho, but a friend in Montana said trucks darn near last forever out by him cause they don't use salt. That not the case here, Fords around here start rusting like nuts after five years so a clean Wisconsin diesel with low miles is an easy sell. Two years ago I "missed out" on a 97 stroke with under 100k and super clean for $12,900. Also a reg cab. Maybe there's some nice ones by you for low bucks?
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From: Princeton MN
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,227
Likes: 149
From: Higginsville, MO
the 351 is a great motor we had 1 that got around 13 consistently. it doesn't hold a candle to the 18-20 i get outta my diesel but it wasn't bad compared to the 8 MPG outta a 460. also they do not pull like a 302. AT ALL. they pull pretty well overall, a well maintained 351 can be a pullin machine. the mileage will suffer but that happens with any vehicle. just less with a diesel.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 293
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From: Huntsville,Ont.
I don't know much about the 300 six but I've owned 3 Fords with the 351 and I felt the power was good, maybe not what would be expected for and engine that size, but it was gas guzzling.
I've heard good things about the 300 from guys that owned one coupled with a stick shift.
I owned a 302 and it was worthless.
I've heard good things about the 300 from guys that owned one coupled with a stick shift.
I owned a 302 and it was worthless.