Easy upgrades from a 351M?
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: eau claire
Easy upgrades from a 351M?
I have a 78 Bronco with a 351M that is getting pretty tired. Is there anything bigger, such as a 390, 400, 429, or 460 that I can drop into my truck without much of a headache? I am not very mechanically inclined and would have someone else do the swap for me, but need to know what engine to look for to keep the swap as simple as possible.
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Go down the the 335 threads and read on:
http://www.fordtruckenthusiasts.com/...d.php?t=317544
Scroll down past the nonsense and you'll see some build specs including a stroker crank (a 400 crank, I assume) with a .030 overbore for a 408 or a .040 for a 409.999 (you can sing along with the Beach Boys then)
These are misunderstood and unloved motors due to the fact they came out in the dog days of performance. They can be woken up. Read those threads and google it too.
Good luck.
http://www.fordtruckenthusiasts.com/...d.php?t=317544
Scroll down past the nonsense and you'll see some build specs including a stroker crank (a 400 crank, I assume) with a .030 overbore for a 408 or a .040 for a 409.999 (you can sing along with the Beach Boys then)
These are misunderstood and unloved motors due to the fact they came out in the dog days of performance. They can be woken up. Read those threads and google it too.
Good luck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
Welcome to FTE! 
My best suggestion is to take what you have, and build it up. The best combination seems to be with a 400 Ford crank, and flat top pistons, which are a drop in for what you have. Then to add a true roller timing set and a Comp Cams 265DEH, and Crane roller rocker conversion studs with Cranes roller tip rockers & a Weiand Action Plus manifold with a Demon 625 carb. This will put you up pretty high in the horsepower and torque columns.
From the factory, these motors had a terrible cam, and low compression, which is great if you have a supercharger. With a little bit of work, you have a torque monster, that will be way lighter than a 460.
My best suggestion is to take what you have, and build it up. The best combination seems to be with a 400 Ford crank, and flat top pistons, which are a drop in for what you have. Then to add a true roller timing set and a Comp Cams 265DEH, and Crane roller rocker conversion studs with Cranes roller tip rockers & a Weiand Action Plus manifold with a Demon 625 carb. This will put you up pretty high in the horsepower and torque columns.
From the factory, these motors had a terrible cam, and low compression, which is great if you have a supercharger. With a little bit of work, you have a torque monster, that will be way lighter than a 460.
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