When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello , I'm a new member and thought this would be a great place to start asking questions about a truck I just bought .
It's a 1985 F150 4x4 Styleside shortbox w/351 4bbl .
The question : How do I "ID" the motor . Winsor or Michigan ?
I just bought the truck from a buddy for (what I thought) was a good price . It only has 53k miles on it and has been garage kept . I own and drive a '94 F150 I bought new in 94 . It has the 4.9 big six and , there's not much I don't know about that motor but , I know little of the V8 . I've had four F150's all had the big six . I love that motor !
I bought the '85 to hotrod . I would like to buy performance parts for it but need to "ID" it first .
Any help guys ......
Assuming the engine is original, it will be a 351Windsor in the 1985 trucks. Check the 8th character in the VIN#, if it's an "H" then it is the H.O. version, a "G" for the normal 351W. The code for the 351M is a "W", but that stopped in 1981 and only came with a 2-bbl carb stock. If the odometer actually has only 53K miles and has not rolled over once or twice, then you have found a gem. I know of one like that sold recently for $10,500 in mint condition.
I checked the vin #
There is an "H"
Thanks for the great info !
I've known this truck sense it was bought new . It has NOT been rolled over , in fact my buddy only drove it on warm dry days and usually only on weekends . I've been trying to buy it for 5 years but , he just kept it in the back of his garage with a sheet over it . He put a 6" body lift-kit on it and all kinds of shocks and big 33" mudders on it . Although I've never seen it muddy . I think he just wanted a mean looking truck but never had the nerve to get in the mud .
The motor is all stock at this piont but , I'm thinking of adding a few high-performance goodies to it .
I can tell you one thing , it sure has some "get up and GO"
Thanks again for your answers and qwick response .
I would remove the 6" body lift for safety and stability, and the fact that it's probably home-made with boat trailer rollers or something. You can find tons of performance parts for the 351W, just don't forget the rest of the drivetrain if you beef up the motor. My motor is basically a stock re-built NAPA longblock kit, with an Edelbrock Performer intake and a custom "shaker" intake. It's fast enough for me!!! Good Luck!!!
Do you like the Edelbrock intake ?
I was thinking of adding that to the wish list .
Would it work well with headers ?
I think those two things are about all I want to put on this motor .
It's a very strong running motor being stock so , maybe just intake and headers is all I want to do .
Yes, I love the new intake. For one, I got to clean up half of all the spaghetti mess of vacuum lines, since it just has one port for vacuum. I did have to give up cruise control, but it can easily be hooked up with a tee. I don't like headers, so can't help you there. They tend to leak and always seem to come loose. Changing plugs can be a problem, and the extra heat is hard on the starter. I would still like to get a better carb than the reman. Holley #4180, and change camshafts. But for now the motor runs like a champ!!!