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I have a 72 Ford F100 Ranger XLT that I inherited from my step father. He had recently purchased it before he passed away. The VIN says my Engine size is a 302. However my valve cover bolts show that it's not actually a 302 under the hood. I was told by former owners it was a 351M. I purchased what I know for sure is a 351M manifold that is far too large (width wise). So I know it can't be a 351M. I need help identifying my engine size. My Valve Covers are 8 bolts per side.
Appears to be a 351C. Clevelands have a lower deck height, therefore the intake is narrower.
I appreciate that input. I was told 351C and 351M had several differences. Most couldn't tell me what those differences where though. It's difficult finding info on Ford Trucks this old.
Yes, it would be really hard since this was never installed in a truck. There was 4 choices, 300 6, 302 8, 360 8 and 390 8 those are the only choices for 1972.
Yes, it would be really hard since this was never installed in a truck. There was 4 choices, 300 6, 302 8, 360 8 and 390 8 those are the only choices for 1972.
I knew it also couldn't be either of the V8 options from 1972 as they don't have 8 bolt pattern valve covers for any 1972 Ford V8. At a closer look they only have 6 bolts in all 72 model V8's. This is why I came to the thread. It got confusing when I figured out it wasn't a 72 engine at all. Even more confusing when that manifold width got me stumped. It's much easier getting info on these old trucks here though as online searches yield no real results for spec info on antique Fords.
The 351M is simply a destroked 400. They(351C/351M/400) share the same cams and heads(2v, open chamber, 351c also had 4v closed and open, a whole 'nother discussion there) The 351M/400 had a taller deck height, hence the wider intake. Some more subtle differences but all in all very similar. Never offered in the trucks but see a good many of them swapped. They are a potent engine, especially with a thoughtful buildup.
The 351M is simply a destroked 400. They share the same cams and heads. The 351M/400 had a taller deck height, hence the wider intake. Some more subtle differences but all in all very similar. Never offered in the trucks but see a good many of them swapped. They are a potent engine, especially with a thoughtful buildup.
Knowing it wasn't put in any of these trucks originally now makes me feel less dumb in why I couldn't get it pinned down. She was stout before I took her apart. I was just looking to put some high dollar Edelbrock under the hood and remove all the old rusty parts. It's been in my Moms driveway for over 2 years since my Stepfather passed. So I have a lot of rust to swap off.
I was once in the same boat, but screwing with these trucks the past year or so I've learned a ton. Plenty of info on the web. Some good, some downright bad. Up to you to weave your way through it and make informed decisions. Building a Cleveland now a Mustang project and have had to read a ton on what works and doesn't due to the heads and low compression/emissions era they were introduced, and ultimately discontinued. Look at the top left corner of the drivers side head, just below there the valve cover is. You'll most likely see a 2. You may get lucky (depending on your goals) and see a 4. Or there may be an M. This will tell you what heads it has. Looking at the valve covers, I'd imagine they are 2v open chamber Cleveland heads.
Before get trigger happy throwing money and shiny edelbrock stuff on it, do some research and figure out what your plans with the truck are.
I was once in the same boat, but screwing with these trucks the past year or so I've learned a ton. Plenty of info on the web. Some good, some downright bad. Up to you to weave your way through it and make informed decisions. Building a Cleveland now a Mustang project and have had to read a ton on what works and doesn't due to the heads and low compression/emissions era they were introduced, and ultimately discontinued. Look at the top left corner of the drivers side head, just below there the valve cover is. You'll most likely see a 2. You may get lucky (depending on your goals) and see a 4. Or there may be an M. This will tell you what heads it has. Looking at the valve covers, I'd imagine they are 2v open chamber Cleveland heads.
Before get trigger happy throwing money and shiny edelbrock stuff on it, do some research and figure out what your plans with the truck are.
Restore and Garage it. Already sanded and applied new bedliner, sanding exterior now and prepping for paint. Most all under hood has been replaced. First thing I have ran into that caused an issue. Original block and internals is all very stout and sound, drove it before I started the breakdown. I was simply looking to remove all rusted parts under the hood. My valve covers fit. Carb is an upgrade and so is the manifold. It just struck me as weird because I was told it was 351M and all parts replaced worked and fit perfectly until I hit this manifold. I did my research and found it wasn't a 72 engine at all and I looked for places to find differences in 351M and 351C. But there is next to no info on this online. Plenty of info for 351W's though. That's why I'm here! Research and info.
I purchased a 1971 F250/300/C4 about 2 years ago, never owned a 60's/70's Ford truck before. This FTE site and members are the best around. Lots of real solid information & idea's on modifications, T72Ford you found the right place.
2 big tells on identifying 351M/400's is that the upper radiator hose connects to the block, not the intake manifold; and next to the distributor is a cast rib.
2 big tells on identifying 351M/400's is that the upper radiator hose connects to the block, not the intake manifold; and next to the distributor is a cast rib.
My hose connects to the block, not the manifold. It's not a 351M. 351M intake I have is purchased and confirmed be Edelbrock as a 351M intake. It is too wide. So I would say the 351C also connects to block. From what I'm seeing from looking into 351C intakes, I would say this is confirmed.
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