351m
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 997
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From: Corydon US of A
351m
>Hey, I'm just curious, If this topic irritates you guys so
>much,why not just say that nobody really knows what the M
>stands for but most people know it as a Modified and leave
>it at that. I have several and I don't flipping care what
>the M means as long as the dude at the parts store gives me
>the right stuff. Just a thought
>
> John
Well... that would be what i was saying......
>much,why not just say that nobody really knows what the M
>stands for but most people know it as a Modified and leave
>it at that. I have several and I don't flipping care what
>the M means as long as the dude at the parts store gives me
>the right stuff. Just a thought
>
> John
Well... that would be what i was saying......
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
351m
the M in 351M does NOT stand for michigan.
it stands for MODIFIED CLEVELAND..CLEVELAND IS NOT IN MICHIGAN
if you read your FORD stuff not stuff some guy thinks about ford you'd know this.
its just like that book that says FE stands for Ford Engine which infact it stands for Ford Edsel.
it stands for MODIFIED CLEVELAND..CLEVELAND IS NOT IN MICHIGAN
if you read your FORD stuff not stuff some guy thinks about ford you'd know this.
its just like that book that says FE stands for Ford Engine which infact it stands for Ford Edsel.
New User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Burbank USA
351m
Well, I guess I will put in my "hear say" of what the M is for. My local Ford dealer has two people who have different opinions. One says the M is for modified the other says it is for Midland. Midland being place of engine manufacture. I looked through all my Ford information and some say modified and some do say Midland. I called a local Pep Boys parts counter and inquired about a part and was asked the usual questions.......engine, with or without A/C, 2 or 4X, etc. I said 351 and he asked Winsor, Cleveland or 'Midland'! I said it was M and asked what was Midland, he didn't know. But that is interesting that a store would show it as Midland. So many opinions, this M might just might stand for "MYSTERY"!! But now I am curious as to the real assignment of M. "Will the real M please stand up"
78F150
Burbank, Ca
78F150
Burbank, Ca
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 24
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351m
The "M" stands for nothing. Prior 351's had codes to differentiate them, C and W for Cleveland and Windsor.
Ford had a ton of success with the 351 engines and wanted to move them into the light-duty truck market. They needed a big powerful engine to replace the old 360 and 390 workhorses in trucks. Because of government restrictions and requirements the 351's were better for Ford than the 360 and 390. They were more efficient, cleaner, and easy to retro-fit to tranny's, etc. Ford needed its customers to know there were slight differences and chose a new code. Why "M" was chosen can be argued. However, it does not actually stand for anything. The "M" is simply so people would know it's not a "C" or "W."
Because people felt a need to call it something, they started using "modified" and "Michigan." Today, most people call it the 351 modified. When they do, we all know what they are refering to. It still doesn't actually stand for anything.
Yes, mechanics and parts guys and everyone else will tell you it means modified. It does not. It's like an urban legend, sorta... it just became accepted as truth. It is not.
It's one hell of a good engine though, isn't it?
Ford had a ton of success with the 351 engines and wanted to move them into the light-duty truck market. They needed a big powerful engine to replace the old 360 and 390 workhorses in trucks. Because of government restrictions and requirements the 351's were better for Ford than the 360 and 390. They were more efficient, cleaner, and easy to retro-fit to tranny's, etc. Ford needed its customers to know there were slight differences and chose a new code. Why "M" was chosen can be argued. However, it does not actually stand for anything. The "M" is simply so people would know it's not a "C" or "W."
Because people felt a need to call it something, they started using "modified" and "Michigan." Today, most people call it the 351 modified. When they do, we all know what they are refering to. It still doesn't actually stand for anything.
Yes, mechanics and parts guys and everyone else will tell you it means modified. It does not. It's like an urban legend, sorta... it just became accepted as truth. It is not.
It's one hell of a good engine though, isn't it?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 2
From: Ft. Walton Bch 32547
351m
Subj: FE and M Engines-- Request for Information
Date: 4/25/02 1:10:28 PM Central Daylight Time
From: jcrocke5@ford.com
To: sauerf100s(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Sent from the Internet (Details)
Steve,
The "FE" stands for Ford and Edsel as those engines were designed in 1957/1958 for the Ford and Edsel lines.
351M and 400M are 351 Cleveland engines. The "M" stands for "Modified". The 351C block was modified to accept a 460 CID bellhousing (bolt pattern change). This allowed the 351 block to be installed in heavy duty trucks, LTD's, Lincolns and Thunderbirds where 460's were used.
Best Regards,
Jeffrey Crocker
Research Assistant
Ford Motor Company Archives
Global Information Management
Date: 4/25/02 1:10:28 PM Central Daylight Time
From: jcrocke5@ford.com
To: sauerf100s(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Sent from the Internet (Details)
Steve,
The "FE" stands for Ford and Edsel as those engines were designed in 1957/1958 for the Ford and Edsel lines.
351M and 400M are 351 Cleveland engines. The "M" stands for "Modified". The 351C block was modified to accept a 460 CID bellhousing (bolt pattern change). This allowed the 351 block to be installed in heavy duty trucks, LTD's, Lincolns and Thunderbirds where 460's were used.
Best Regards,
Jeffrey Crocker
Research Assistant
Ford Motor Company Archives
Global Information Management
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 226
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From: the oil cased palace
351m
hi
in away your all right. M is a letter and make it mean whatever you want. I thought it was for modifyed being it has a different style piston and lighter block and larger intake ports. But the other point of where it was made. It was made where every where the others was made. It is quiet a bit different than the cleavland since the whole block is different! Hummm.. what a conspiricy. thanks for the entertanment.
in away your all right. M is a letter and make it mean whatever you want. I thought it was for modifyed being it has a different style piston and lighter block and larger intake ports. But the other point of where it was made. It was made where every where the others was made. It is quiet a bit different than the cleavland since the whole block is different! Hummm.. what a conspiricy. thanks for the entertanment.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 2
From: Ft. Walton Bch 32547
351m
I knew people would be stubborn. I even included the complete e-mail I got back from Ford. If you guys don't believe Ford Motor Company, then I guess you can just call it whatever you want. Why don't you e-mail Ford yourselves??
