v8 swap

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Dec 13, 2015 | 11:40 AM

mnav32

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v8 swap

Educate me please. I have a 86 f150 long bed I'm looking to fix up, it currently has the 4.9l in it but I have the opportunity to pick up a 351c which was bought for a 97 f150, I don't know if the block is a 97 or what. I want to keep it basic with a carb and auto trans so I was wonding what trans to look for, I'm wanting one with over drive cause I plan on driving this bad boy all over when its complete. as soon as I get the engine I can get some more info

Dec 13, 2015 | 01:20 PM

Gary Lewis

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From: Northeast, OK

First, welcome to FTE! This is the place to be.

Second, if the engine truly is a 351C as you said, you are undertaking a difficult swap. That's due to several things, some of which are because the 351C wasn't offered in these trucks:

Engine supports/perches: Ford used different engine supports, aka "perches", for each engine series. The page on my web site shows the ones for the 351M/400, which should work for the 351C since it is also part of the 335 Series like they are.
Radiator: The inlet and outlet on the straight six radiators are reversed from those of the V8's, so you will need to change radiators if you plan to use the 351M/400 radiator hoses.
Wiring: Each engine series had a different wiring harness, with the wires being of different lengths to reach the components which were in different places. You can either shorten/lengthen what you have or find one for a 351M or 400.
Exhaust: I doubt even the 351M/400 Y-pipe will work since the C block is shorter than the M block, and that will mean the exhaust ports are further apart on the M/400. But, you could use either a custom Y-pipe or headers.
Transmission: I saved the best, or hardest, to last. The 335 Series uses the same bell housing bolt pattern as the 460, so cannot use a tranny for a Windsor, Six, etc. But, the flywheel for the 335 Series is ~1/2" further forward than that of the 460, so bolting a manual tranny from a 460, like a ZF5, right to the 335 Series will not work. (Been there, done that.) But, Tim Meyer has a kit to make a ZF5 work on the M/400, and it should also work on the 351C. Some say the E4OD from a 460 will bolt right up and work. But, I know the torque converter is going to have to be that 1/2" further forward from where it was designed to run, and I don't know if the splines will be fully engaged. Second, an E4OD requires an expensive computer to tell it when to shift.

Dec 13, 2015 | 11:10 PM

whisler

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From: Northern Kentucky

A '97 351 "C" ??????

Dec 14, 2015 | 11:54 AM

WhatsAChevy?

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From: Northeast Ohio USA

Just curious but the I6 is a very reliable engine when taken care of....why change it? Maybe someone could chime in on AOD options for the I6.....Gary?

Dec 14, 2015 | 05:48 PM

NotEnoughTrucks2014

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From: Saskatchewan Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Lewis

Second, if the engine truly is a 351C as you said, you are undertaking a difficult swap. That's due to several things, some of which are because the 351C wasn't offered in these trucks:

Very true. I do not believe the 351C was ever offered in a truck and certainly no later than 1974. It is frequently confused with the 351M.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_3...#351_Cleveland

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Lewis

Transmission: I saved the best, or hardest, to last. The 335 Series uses the same bell housing bolt pattern as the 460, so cannot use a tranny for a Windsor, Six, etc.

Wikipedia says the 351C was a 335 series engine, but in reality, it was a bit of an odd duck. It used the Windsor bellhousing pattern, not sure on balance or flexplate. The heads were certainly the design used on the 335 engines, but the block had nothing in common.

The 351C is better described here.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2001/11/351M/

Dec 14, 2015 | 06:26 PM

Gary Lewis

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Joined: Jul 2010

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From: Northeast, OK

Thanks for correcting me. You are absolutely right - C's have small-block bolt patterns and M/400's have big-block patterns. My mistake.

However, there are lots of similarities between the C and M blocks, according to George Reid's book. Same oiling system, same pan rails so same pan, same heads, same timing cover and water pump, etc. But, certainly not the bell housing bolt pattern. Thanks again.