351m questions
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351m questions
I just got a free 351m (1977) today. I am in the process of taking it apart and seeing if it will be worth rebuilding and eventually using in a vehicle. The guy that owned it before it was given to me said it needed the crankshaft either turned or replaced, and most of the bearings in the engine need replaced. It is just missing the water pump and carburetor, but if i end up rebuilding it it will probably get a 4 barrel intake anyway.
Would you guys suggest that I rebuild it if possible or would it not be worth the price of the parts needed? I know about how engines work and how they are assembled, but i dont know much about specific engines, so I decided to ask here, since this is the best forum i could find for 351m information.
Also, what were the power and torque ratings for this engine?
Would you guys suggest that I rebuild it if possible or would it not be worth the price of the parts needed? I know about how engines work and how they are assembled, but i dont know much about specific engines, so I decided to ask here, since this is the best forum i could find for 351m information.
Also, what were the power and torque ratings for this engine?
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: (near) Denver USA
Welcome to FTE.
You can find info on stock hp/torque ratings on this page:
http://home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250/specs/specs02.html
If the crankshaft needs to be replaced, you may as well get a 400 crankshaft and rebuild it as a 400. Any application that a 351M is good for, a 400 is better.
Whether the engine is worth rebuilding depends on what shape it's in now, and what you want to do with it.
So, what do you want to do with it?
You can find info on stock hp/torque ratings on this page:
http://home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250/specs/specs02.html
If the crankshaft needs to be replaced, you may as well get a 400 crankshaft and rebuild it as a 400. Any application that a 351M is good for, a 400 is better.
Whether the engine is worth rebuilding depends on what shape it's in now, and what you want to do with it.
So, what do you want to do with it?
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I was thinking about putting it in a midsize car, or maybe station wagon, if I can find one that it will fit in. I know this is a truck forum but i didn't see anywhere else that had a good forum for these engines.
I was thinking about the conversion to 400ci after i read about the interchangability of the cranckshafts. I think I read that the only things needed to make the 351m into a 400 were the crankshaft and pistons from a 400. Is this true?
I want to get some mild performance parts for the engine , most likely intake, carburetor, camshaft, and headers. But I don't know about the availability of these parts, I'll just have to see when the time comes and if my budget allows it after the rebuild, IF it turns out being worth rebuilding.
I was thinking about the conversion to 400ci after i read about the interchangability of the cranckshafts. I think I read that the only things needed to make the 351m into a 400 were the crankshaft and pistons from a 400. Is this true?
I want to get some mild performance parts for the engine , most likely intake, carburetor, camshaft, and headers. But I don't know about the availability of these parts, I'll just have to see when the time comes and if my budget allows it after the rebuild, IF it turns out being worth rebuilding.
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doiser2, I'm rebuilding a 400 for a 79 Thunderbird. I know 351m and 400's came in these cars from the factory, but i'm not sure about any other midsized cars or station wagons. Late 70's Thunderbirds are pretty heavy cars, and the only reason i'm considering rebuilding the engine is because i got the car/engine for free, the car has a Ford 9" rear end, and the car has a pair of corvette sidepipes bolted on to it that make it look pretty mean.
