I'm fixing up my 79 f150, and I can't decide whether I am going to rebuild the m thats in it (for budget reasons), a Windsor i'm looking at, or a 390 a friend might sell me? Right now I'm finding some problems with the windsor, nothing more money can't fix though. I'm looking to spend around $1k on the motor to get some great performance out of it. The rest of the truck is in great shape. Minor work that can be done down the road.

I just want to hear what some of you might do in my situation.

 

well this is just me but if i were ti do it id go with a 390, but your looking at extra work if you ecide the 390 like different motor mounts, FE bellhouseing etc... the 390 can make excellent HP for 1k provideing it doesnt need a total rebuild.

but if your trying to get it done the easiest way id fix the 351m thats in it, if it needs rebuilt your not going to have much money left over out of the 1k to do many performance mods.

How much hp do you want, and what di you plan on useing the truck for, if you want torque the 390 delivers quite a bit of low end torque stock.

 

If you have a grand to put in it, then I would say you have a lot of options. If you are happy with the Windsor, then I would say rebuild it. Keep in mind, any other motor you buy used may have potential problems that you won't find unless you tear it down and check it before you install it. Then you'll be out the money you had to purchase the motor plus rebuild costs.
If it were me, and the motor you have runs, I'd say rebuild it. With the money you're talking about, it should be enough for a rebuild plus some performance goodies. Machine work on the engine will most likely be your biggest cost.
Just my 2 cents.

 

In order to put in the 390 or 351w you will have to get new mounts and and different transmission.

I'd take the 351M and get crank, rods and pistons and make it into a 400. When they are rebuilt with a good cam and compression it's a great motor. That way everything will bolt up and you can spend your money on the engine and performance parts, instead of mounts and brackets.

Marty

 

I'd keep the M, I have both a 400 and a 352/360, the 400 is much easier to find parts for. I like both motors and both have a C6 trany. I can't however interchange the trany's. So If you do decide to go with the 390FE better start looking for another transmission too.

 

Rebuild your 351M as a 400. Check out the Cleveland engine forum for more info on rebuilding.

 

A 460 will bolt up to the 351/400M tranny, for $1000 you could buy a 460 and the mounts and other thing you will need.

 

well does the FE bellhousing the same as the 429/460 series?

 

No,
Just the : 351M/400,429/460 all interchange

 

I had a 390 in my 75 f250 ranger. one night bang! I threw a rod out the side of the block.

7 days after I bought it no less! (for $1200)

I got a 1979 ford LTD sedan for $200.
it had a 351 windsor with 79,000 miles on it.
the rest of the car was demolision derby fodder for sure.
it sure drove like a dream though! so quiet and smooth, I knew the motor would be a great transplant donor.

all I had to do was move the 390 mount stands back about 4 inches. I used half of the 390 mounts, and half of the 351 mounts to make a usable mount to fit both the 351W and the 390 stands.

the tranny would not, no way in heck, fit the 351W. I wanted an auto tranny anyways.

I put on a tranny cooler, and also had to modify the radiator hoses to fit the motor from the car, and the radiator from the truck. also had to get a floor shifter for the auto tranny. I got one out of a ford aerostar minivan. other than that, no other mods were needed.

a few MINOR glitches to deal with though. I can start it in any gear, and the shifter I got does not allow me to go all the way into low/1st gear.

with all that room under the hood, you can frankenstine anything together, and with your $1000 budget, I would'nt worry! I did mine for a whopping $250. and i am still profiting from the sale of good parts left on the 390.

 

Go w/ the 390 man! And never look back!

FEs forever...(as long as I can afford it)

 

351W will give you the most power for your money and there are tons of good stuff available for them!

 

They is no substitute for CC and HP! go big or go home.
390 all the way! I am in the process of rebuilding mine. no an issue with parts as of yet. and it is back in the truck this week! I will show you the pic's on my Gallery later this week.

 

FE parts are alot more expensive than 351W parts. Especially things like intake manifolds!!

 

Yeah but FE's are cooler.