1979 F100 Ranger Lariat RWD

It has zero smoke and pulls well. The odo reads 12k. I am sure it's never been rebuilt. Could that be 112? Would it go to 212k without smoking? Would the rings last that long?

It ticks and I read on here the valve springs might be tired. When I was young I put roller rockers on my Mustang and it worked like a mild cam-up. I thought if I'm going to change the springs I might do this as well. Any recommendations for parts or is this a bad idea for the 351m?

I was trying to find the dipstick for the transmission so I could check the fluid. The tranny was slipping. Finally the kid who worked at O'Reilly's (whow actually knew a lot about cars) was helping me find it and spotted it. The handle was jammed between the AC couplings and the firewall, bent over backward. Never seen the like of it. Looks like someone was putting the transmission back in and it got caught on the couplings and shoved up in there. I'll post a picture later. Just thought I'd mention that, but I need a new dipstick.

Oh, and if I yank the smog pump (NC doesn't require emissions testing on a car this old) what do I need to plug up?

 

Ok, does anyone know if Holley or Edelbrock makes an upgrade mechanical pump? They both make them for 110gph and around 6psi, but only for small block and TN en 460, etc. Nothing mentioned for 351m. Is the 460 or big block fuel pump compatible with the 351m.

 

351C/351M/400's do not have a timing cover per se, just a flat engine cover plate.

The fuel pump bolts to the left (drivers) side of the engine block, the bolt pattern is 12 & 6 o'clock.

All other V8 fuel pumps bolt to the timing cover, the bolt pattern is 3 & 9 o'clock.

btw: Small & big block are GM terms. FoMoCo never used these descriptions for any V8 engines.

 

A well maintained engine can easily surpass 300k. Oil changes when needed and good quality oil make a big difference in my opinion.

I pulled a 400 (Almost identical to a 351M) out of a 1979 F150 that had 296k and it was the original engine. It ran perfectly but was using one quart of oil in 300 miles. When sharing that information with friends the first thing they said is "It must have really been smoking if it was using that much oil!". No, it never smoked at all. When an engine smokes continually it has some serious issues and would likely consume oil much more quickly.

I haven't started rebuilding my 400 yet, but I do know that the tops of the cylinders are badly worn so it is definitely rebuild time for that engine.

Just my opinion--high mileage doesn't necessarily mean that it is completely worn out.

 

Thanks for the info, guys.

So no a/m hi cap mechanical fuel pumps?

 

So reading this quote together with this:

" fuel pump

100% interchangeable

Mechanical (cam driven) fuel pumps on all 335 series engines use a unique vertical bolt attachment pattern, and they are not interchangeable with any other Ford engines."

(From High Performance Options for the 351M/400 Engine - Ford Trucks)

tells me that I can use a mechanical fuel pump designed for a 351C or 400. Is this correct?

 

YES, 351 M/400 AND THE 351C are of the same family "335 series"

 

Sweet. Thank you!