OK so here is the deal, My 1966 352 fe engine runs but only has 60psi compression and it burns oil. I was looking at rebuilding the engine and adding a C6 transmission. My boss has a 78 F150 with a rebuilt 351M with 5000 miles on it and C6 combo. I can get the truck cheap as his body is gone. I should be able to use the power steering, power brakes, and just about everything under the hood from the 78 on my 66. I know there are a lot of people that say the 351M is a boat anchor, but what are the reasons. I am not looking for a powerhouse, just a comfortable driving truck to take on an ice cream run with the wife. I suppose eventually the truck will get handed down to one of the kids, but that is a ways off. Are there any real reasons why the 351M has a bad reputation other then lack of power?

Mark

 

Their bad rep comes mostly from the fact that they are low compression smog era motors. They are essentially tall deck Clevelands. I've owned a couple 400 ci versions and they were reliable enough and made ok power. In your case I'd probably look for a 390/C6 combo. You'll get more power with no worse mileage.

 

Mark, I am not going to disagree with Jeff, but this might be a great candidate for you. The M can be built to be a pretty good engine. They didn't come out of the box that way. I have seen them built and dressed up to look pretty darn good.

This truck will have everything that you need and not needing a rebuild is a good thing for your pocket.

I say get all on it like dots on dice.



John

 

I say GO FOR IT!! I have the 351M in my 77,, and for what you want it would be perfect,,, they are a good torquey motor,,, electronic ign.,, yes,, they are not a 460 or a 390,, but I am happy with mine,, and all I have done is put a 4bbl on it,, plus all the goodies you can grab from the 78,, hell yea! You can dump some $$ into it and make it a great runner,, but for what you are planning for it, I think it would be a great deal.
If you put a 4 bbl on it, keep it tuned,, it'll run and run.
Joe

 

I would check to see if the cam gear is the type that advances the cam to a normal position.

They used to run the cam retarded for emisions, and this would suck out lots of torque from I read.

 

I wouldn't repower anything I owned with a 351m. Your best bet would be to locate a decent 390. There is really no comparison between the 2. A tired old 352 will run as good as 351m.

I'll never forget the first time I rode in a F250 that had a new Jasper 351m in it. It was such a disappointment. It was all sound and no go.