best ford motor

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Apr 4, 2001 | 12:01 PM

macks

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Joined: Mar 2001

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best ford motor

i have a sick 351m . what is the best,easiest replacement? i want to keep my trans. will 390 bolt up? i dont know that much about series,385?or what ever identify each i know 351m/400 . people have said 351m/400s have bad bottoms .i think my mains are bad.bit of a knock when warm.i hope this thing will run until i can rebuild replacement.so which is best?? would i be able to keep edelbrock and holly? oh BTW its a 77 with 89 body 7 inch lift 35x12.50 laramie trail cutters thanks for any help Macks

Apr 4, 2001 | 12:10 PM

73Custom

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Joined: Apr 2000

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From: SD

best ford motor

[font color=red size=3]The only engine that is a direct bolt-in would be another 351m/400. The 390 will not bolt up to the tranny (or anything else for that matter). A 429/460 will bolt up to the tranny, but you would have to change many other things - motor perches, accessory brackets, exhaust, ect. I'm told that the 400 can be made into a great motor with a good cam and a solid rebuild. And the 400 will give you a lot more 'getty-up' than that tired 351m.

If your on a tight budget, I'd go for the 400. If you have some money to spend and want lots more power, this would be a good time for a 429/460 swap.

Just a thought.

Marty

"Cleverly Disguised as a Responsible Adult"[/font]

Apr 4, 2001 | 04:05 PM

dinosaurfan

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Joined: Aug 2000

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From: SW Michigan

best ford motor

macks, the best ford engine is without any doubt the FE 390, but that doesn't help your truck, because it will not fit your trans or motor mounts. For your truck you should build a 400, so you can keep all the stuff that you have now and it drops right in. Yes, the bottom ends are considered weak by many but that is a fixable situation. A high volume oil pump and some oil passage work will do wonders for durability, the guys in the 351M/400 engine forum can explain what to do. DF

Apr 4, 2001 | 05:36 PM

rocky

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best ford motor

Hi, I run a 400 in my 1980 F-350 tow truck. Back in 1993 a guy told me about the "bad bottom end" and suggested I change over to a 460 immediately. I kept the 400 and haven't had a problem with it yet. I use this truck every day and have never felt a need to change.

Apr 5, 2001 | 02:55 AM

fordmando

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Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 265

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From: Greenville USA

best ford motor

I like the 400, too. It is a perfectly square engine, even bore and stroke. I have a 460 sitting in my garage, but it's going in the 2wd, and I'm taking the 400 out of the 2wd (it doesn't smoke like my 180k mile one in the 4x4 does) and sticking it in the 78 4x4 (my preferred truck.)

My 400 with just an Edelbrock carb, Edel. intake and headers has no problem towing, dusting Chevies from stoplight ot stoplight, or going over some of the toughest trails in NC (Tellico) crawling at an idle for 8 hours straight (then driving home 10 hours straight at 80 mph.)

fordmando
70 F-100 Ranger XLT 400 C6
78 F-150 4x4 400 4 on floor
George