1978 F150 4x4, 351
VIN: F14HRAG9590

Short Version:
I need to buy a new engine. Can anyone suggest a reputable source? My budget is around 4k. I'm looking for a complete engine, probably even a carburetor.
Also, I believe with the "H" in the VIN, it's a 351M engine. But I would like someone to confirm that before I start pricing engines out.

Long Version:
I just bought this truck. It didn't run smooth, but I figured it was carburetor. A few weeks later the head gasket blew. Upon further inspection I discovered that the previous owner tried to fix the head gasket with one of those sealants and it is all clumped up in the coolant hoses, and I'm sure the radiator. This is not the stock motor. The previous owner put a crate engine in the truck 10 years ago that he got at Advanced Auto... the cheapest he could find. So, in the end, I don't know what damage he did to the motor before I got it and I don't really want to just rebuild it and hope that nothing is too bad. My thinking is to start new and that way I know exactly what I have and how it's been run. I don't ever plan to sell this truck so I'm willing to invest in it. But, I need advise one a reputable supplier for a complete engine.

I am open to advise and input before I commit to such a purchase.
Thank you!

 

Follow-up... Should / Can I move to a 400?

 

Yes on the 400 if the truck has not been modified to fit an unrelated engine. The 400 is identical in almost every way on the outside. Only the crankshaft and pistons (and rods too?) are changed, so if the 351M was bolted there, the 400 is a straight swap.

But take a pic or three for us just to make sure we're all on the same page. It's very possible that they put a 351M crate motor in, but it would be good to confirm.
Several ways to do this, one of which is counting the number of bolts holding the valve covers down. There are other variations to look for too, but the bolt count is a good start.

Sorry to hear you're truck is not quite ready for prime time just yet. Hopefully it all turns out well.
And welcome to FTE too!

paul

 

If you know it's a reman engine then you know it's been bored and the crank has been ground. still before I gave up I'd pull it down and see what you have. If your engine is rebuildable you should be able to do a good stock rebuild on it under your budget.

A change from your 351 to a 400 will bring you up from really really gutless to really gutless. honestly I wouldn't spend a lot of money going to a 400 if your 351 is good to rebuild.

if you end up needing a core engine anyway you might consider going to a 460 and make a real upgrade. the only real extra expense would be the conversion kit. it's worth it.

 

Thanks Paul,
Here are the pics of my engine to confirm.

 

335 Series. Judging by the lack of a wall, 351C. No truck would have come with the C, so they likely replaced it with one.


1978 351M



1972 351C

 

Stephen,
As to sources for crate engines; Ford Motorsport would probably be at the top for overall quality, possibly more expensive than some of the others. I would regard Summit Racing and JEGs not far behind as to quality and probably a little better on pricing. Just remembered Jasper engines, they would be up with Ford Motorsport for quality, might be a little closer to Summit and JEGS on pricing. Your choice may come down to how close any of these 4 meets your specific wants. I am sure there are others but those 4 come to mind.

With that said, a good machine shop could do a detailed inspection of your present engine and put your mind to rest as to the internal condition of what you have. Of course if you have them machine it, you still have all the assembly to do. And many people just do not have the time, or facility to do that.

 

What transmission? Divorced/married transfer case? All 351Cs were small block trans, all 351M/400 Big block trans.

 

Not all 400's were 385 series bolt pattern bell housing the 400 "FMX" block had the small block bolt pattern bell housing

 

you’re right. Always a caveat with Ford.

 

LOL is that not the truth..... You can almost never say something was never done.

 

It's a manual transmission with a married transfer case.

I appreciate all the input.

 

I swear. Just has me racking my brain because I would assume the truck came with a C6 which would have been a big block pattern. There appears to be a Cleveland in there from the pictures, so it would have a small block bell housing. The C6 did not have a removable bellhousing if I recall correctly, so the whole transmission would have to be swapped? Seems an awful lot of work. Of course all this is based on the premise that I’ve never seen a 351/400 that didn’t have the wall around the distributor. Last year of the 335 was 82 correct? Did the later model casting eliminate that feature?

 

Ah. Manual. So much for my theory. what is the shift pattern? NP435 from those trucks would have basic four speed pattern, reverse far right and down. Granny low 1st. NP435 from a 300 I6 would bolt up to the Cleveland. Starting to get a little less cumbersome of a swap I suppose.....

 

Yes, you are correct on the shift pattern. Reverse far right and down.

The current engine is not stock if that matters. The previous owner bought it from a local parts store.