Newbie needing help
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 4
I agree with what was stated. Find out whether it's a 302 or a 351 of some sort.
I'm betting it's still a 351M and the PO didn't know what he had or how to identify it (isn't this the norm, half of the time?).
8 valve cover bolts and a space between the water pump boss and head, 351M.
6 valves cover bolts and a space between the water pump boss and head, 351 Windsor.
6 valve cover bolts with the water pump boss right against the head, 302.
If it is, indeed, a 302, then that means the C6 was also swapped out for either a C4, 5, or C6 with a matching bolt pattern on the bell housing. It IS still a 3-speed automatic, right?
EDIT: WHY THE HECK DO I ALWAYS GET THE POST AT THE TOP OF THE NEXT PAGE?
I'm betting it's still a 351M and the PO didn't know what he had or how to identify it (isn't this the norm, half of the time?).
8 valve cover bolts and a space between the water pump boss and head, 351M.
6 valves cover bolts and a space between the water pump boss and head, 351 Windsor.
6 valve cover bolts with the water pump boss right against the head, 302.
If it is, indeed, a 302, then that means the C6 was also swapped out for either a C4, 5, or C6 with a matching bolt pattern on the bell housing. It IS still a 3-speed automatic, right?
EDIT: WHY THE HECK DO I ALWAYS GET THE POST AT THE TOP OF THE NEXT PAGE?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Numberdummy
In two words: Im Possible! What VIN decoder did'ja use to come up with this BS?
First 3 digits of VIN: 1FT = Ford Motor Company USA Ford Truck (Complete Vehicle).
No first 3 digits of a truck VIN decode to Mexico until the 1990's, then the first digit would be a 3
11th digit of VIN: R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant. CA hasn't been part of Mexico since 1848.
No assembly plant code listed for Mexico in the 1980/89 Ford Truck Parts Catalog, because Ford trucks weren't assembled there until the 1990's.
FIRST FoMoCo vehicle assembled in Mexico and sold in the USA: 1989 Mercury Tracer. 3MA = Ford Motor Company S. A. (Mexico) Mercury Passenger Car / Assembly Plant code R = Hermosillo Mexico
Why it's better to have them decoded by a human being...
My books also show a code W for a 351W, hmmm.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
At least it didn't decode to Richmond, what R stood for before 1956.
Oh the irony! Richmond plant recently restored, rented out for mixed usage. San Jose plant torn down, replaced by a shopping mall.
Where did'ja find a reference that said R = Hermosillo Mexico after 1986? 1989 Mercury Tracer first FoMoCo vehicle assembled there.
Today, the Fusion & Lincoln MKZ (what IDIOT at FoMoCo came up with the confusing initials used on Lincolns?) are assembled there, prolly other vehicles as well.
Oh the irony! Richmond plant recently restored, rented out for mixed usage. San Jose plant torn down, replaced by a shopping mall.
Where did'ja find a reference that said R = Hermosillo Mexico after 1986? 1989 Mercury Tracer first FoMoCo vehicle assembled there.
Today, the Fusion & Lincoln MKZ (what IDIOT at FoMoCo came up with the confusing initials used on Lincolns?) are assembled there, prolly other vehicles as well.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
It was a concequence of the merger of the Western Pacific and Union Pacific railroads in 1983 that closed that plant. or visa versa... WP was a huge freight supplier and shipper for Ford out of San Jose etc...
Where did'ja find a reference that said R = Hermosillo Mexico after 1986? 1989 Mercury Tracer first FoMoCo vehicle assembled there.
The code was assigned to the plant before it produced anything is the most likely explanation.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
It's all your fault, time to 'fess up, kiddo. You called me and cried waaa 
ma-ma, oh woe is me, I need meds and I'm too cheap to buy them, you use the same meds, please send me some.
So I did, then when I opened my other bottle, it was empty.
ma-ma, oh woe is me, I need meds and I'm too cheap to buy them, you use the same meds, please send me some. So I did, then when I opened my other bottle, it was empty.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Good meds like that - that put one into an uncharacteristically-good mood - are worth quite a bit on the black market. Besides, they make me feel sooooooo good!
Besides, they make me feel sooooooo good!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
You kids and your LSD. 
Speaking of San Jose, only the coolest of the coolest guys can say their trucks were built at the same assembly plant as all of the body-in-white soon-to-be Shelby Mustangs.
Speaking of San Jose, only the coolest of the coolest guys can say their trucks were built at the same assembly plant as all of the body-in-white soon-to-be Shelby Mustangs.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 4
Just about any engine would suffer if you were to take it mudding, except for a diesel, a big block, or the 300.
Just don't get it stuck and start continually flooring it hoping to get out. That's a recipe for a new motor. What's even harder is going back and forth from reverse to drive to rock a vehicle out of the mud. That'd be a good way to burn up the transmission (though it's kind of hard to hurt a C6, you still can).
Did you ever figure out what your motor is?
Just don't get it stuck and start continually flooring it hoping to get out. That's a recipe for a new motor. What's even harder is going back and forth from reverse to drive to rock a vehicle out of the mud. That'd be a good way to burn up the transmission (though it's kind of hard to hurt a C6, you still can).
Did you ever figure out what your motor is?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
Just about any engine would suffer if you were to take it mudding, except for a diesel, a big block, or the 300.
Just don't get it stuck and start continually flooring it hoping to get out. That's a recipe for a new motor. What's even harder is going back and forth from reverse to drive to rock a vehicle out of the mud. That'd be a good way to burn up the transmission (though it's kind of hard to hurt a C6, you still can).
Did you ever figure out what your motor is?
Just don't get it stuck and start continually flooring it hoping to get out. That's a recipe for a new motor. What's even harder is going back and forth from reverse to drive to rock a vehicle out of the mud. That'd be a good way to burn up the transmission (though it's kind of hard to hurt a C6, you still can).
Did you ever figure out what your motor is?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
I'm curious though why you say the 300 doesn't suffer. You think the I-6 can handle it better than the other ones?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
well the 300 has the distributor halfway back, whereas the v8s have it up front where its more prone to getting water in it. i suspect thats what he meant, and if yes, thats why the diesels aren't affected too, as they have no distributor to worry about
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
You can easily water log a 300 6 distributor faster than a V8 distributor due to how low they are. I don't think that's what he's talking about.
I think he's referring to the amount of torque the 300, Big Blocks, and Diesels make.
Horsepower doesn't always get you out of mud. As stated, it often gets you a blown motor.
I think he's referring to the amount of torque the 300, Big Blocks, and Diesels make.
Horsepower doesn't always get you out of mud. As stated, it often gets you a blown motor.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
You can easily water log a 300 6 distributor faster than a V8 distributor due to how low they are. I don't think that's what he's talking about.
I think he's referring to the amount of torque the 300, Big Blocks, and Diesels make.
Horsepower doesn't always get you out of mud. As stated, it often gets you a blown motor.
I think he's referring to the amount of torque the 300, Big Blocks, and Diesels make.
Horsepower doesn't always get you out of mud. As stated, it often gets you a blown motor.
The low end torque... More torque at the low end, equals less RPMs needed and less chance for wheel spin because you can "idle" into it instead of "winding" out the motor for the torque etc... Less chance of getting stuck.
High end torque, equals more RPM needed, more chance to get unwanted wheel spinning etc... more chance to get stuck..., more chance of engine blowing...
When I think of mudding... all four wheels spinning, slinging mud, spinning 360s etc... None of them are designed to take that kind of punishment.
The 300 has the advantage because it takes less RPM for the torque, less RPM is a less chance of the engine blowing. the way the 300 is built is stronger as well. The main bearings, etc... Still won't save the Tranny or rear/front ends if you purposely make the wheels spin etc...