I can't decide yet.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 850
Likes: 14
From: Fayetteville, NC
I can't decide yet.
Ok peeps...I could use a little input here. I'm going to a salvage yard some time this week or next week to pick up a motor to drop into my 78 4x4. I have narrowed it down to two. It's either going to be a 351 Cleveland or a 460. I have a NP435 tranny in the truck now. I don't plan on giving that baby up at all. So these two are my options as far a power goes and being able to bolt up the the 435. What do you guys and gals think? I appreciate your comments 
Robert
1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M
Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.
Robert
1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M
Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 1
From: Racine WI
I can't decide yet.
seriously tho, if you really dont mind either of the three i would look for the best "looking" or maintained or maybe the truck that was wrecked but the motor is still a runner, out of the 3 the motor in the best shape would be my choice from a junkyard
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
I can't decide yet.
Robert- neither one. The 460 is bigger than you need and very heavy. The 351C won't be happy in a 4wd truck. What you need is a 390. Get the bell with it, the pattern is differant on the back of the FE from what you have now. You will need a rear sump oil pan from a 360 4x4 truck. Getting a aluminum intake will help take some weight off the front end. Stan's headers will let it breath. The 390 is the best Ford ever made. DF
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Posting Guru
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 850
Likes: 14
From: Fayetteville, NC
I can't decide yet.
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 23-Sep-01 AT 08:39 PM (EST)[/font][p]Hmm....460= 1 390=2 351C=0 300=?? not even going there!!
I have been told by many on here that the 390 wouldn't be a very good engine for a 4x4. Not too many after market parts available for one and it doesn't bolt directly up to the NP435 transmission. The 460 has a lot of low end torque which is what I want. Th 351C however is lighter than the 460 but can also put out the kind of hp and tq I want. What ever engine I do end up getting is going to be completely redone top to bottem. hot tanked, bored, ported and polished, etc etc. I'm just curious as to what engine most of you would swap into a 4x4 if given the chance to.
Robert
1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M
Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.
I have been told by many on here that the 390 wouldn't be a very good engine for a 4x4. Not too many after market parts available for one and it doesn't bolt directly up to the NP435 transmission. The 460 has a lot of low end torque which is what I want. Th 351C however is lighter than the 460 but can also put out the kind of hp and tq I want. What ever engine I do end up getting is going to be completely redone top to bottem. hot tanked, bored, ported and polished, etc etc. I'm just curious as to what engine most of you would swap into a 4x4 if given the chance to.
Robert
1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M
Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 0
I can't decide yet.
300 = better mileage and years of reliability.
= good low end torque
= with a 4X?
Hey, someone has to give it up to the 300.
Guess it all has to do with what you want out of your truck.
A muler, a dragster, a daily driver...
= good low end torque
= with a 4X?
Hey, someone has to give it up to the 300.
Guess it all has to do with what you want out of your truck.
A muler, a dragster, a daily driver...
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
I can't decide yet.
if you do not care about gas mileage then go with the 460 just cuz its a 460 and is king of the ford engines, but for your application i think that the best engine for it would be a well built 351, i have seen these with anywhere from 300 to 751 horsepower, so they can be built just as well as any other engine, so go with a 351, its lighter, and more economical.
1977 F250 460
C6 B&M transpack
MSD 6A, Hedman Headers, K&N
dual 40 series Flowmasters
1977 F250 460
C6 B&M transpack
MSD 6A, Hedman Headers, K&N
dual 40 series Flowmasters
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
I can't decide yet.
The info about the 390 is simply wrong! The 390 has plenty of aftermarket support, even more than the 460. You can get four different intakes from Edelbrock and two from Offy, some from Dove, Shelby, Holley and several Ford OEM's to select from. From dual quads to 3X2 to 2v and even 4 webbers!
Crower makes many cams for the FE's.
The doesn't compare to the 351W but it still has good support.
The best choices are in order of preference:
460 - cheap and has plenty of torque and maybe a direct swap
390 - more money to swap in but plenty of torque
351w - cheap parts, great support can be built for torque and light weight.
Pass on the 6 and anything with an M or C
Crower makes many cams for the FE's.
The doesn't compare to the 351W but it still has good support.
The best choices are in order of preference:
460 - cheap and has plenty of torque and maybe a direct swap
390 - more money to swap in but plenty of torque
351w - cheap parts, great support can be built for torque and light weight.
Pass on the 6 and anything with an M or C
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 850
Likes: 14
From: Fayetteville, NC
I can't decide yet.
Looks like the 460 is a favorite choice. I asked my dad
the same question last night. If he could swap in any motor he wanted what would it be. He didn't even hesitate...he said a 460. I can get one for under $300 in Richmond, VA. Not bad huh?? ;-)
Robert
1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M
Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.
the same question last night. If he could swap in any motor he wanted what would it be. He didn't even hesitate...he said a 460. I can get one for under $300 in Richmond, VA. Not bad huh?? ;-)
Robert
1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M
Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
I can't decide yet.
Although I love the 300-six, my vote would be for a FE, either a 360/390. preferably a 390. I am right next door in Tennessee, and I have a running one priced at $200. I recently bought one for $100. but it needs to be rebuilt. I have seen several in the price range of $150-$250.
