LOL..I've actually enjoyed this debate for so many years I've lost count..it's never a serious issue because in fact nobody knows what the 'M" stands for, if anything other than a letter in the alphabet, at the end of the day. I'm not sure that it was not a joke pulled on us like so many hypothesize: "we'll call it the "M" and let them guess."

The only thing I'm absolutely sure of, thanks to 30+ years of being a Ford mechanic, is that the 'tall deck 335 400C ci engine' itself existed in fact and cast iron well before the "M" ever showed its face to differentiate the destroked 400 original from its 351 ci brethren that it now shared the same diplacement with. the Petersen Engine Book was once the definitive reference on Detroit's annual changes to their iron..though, yes, they had their share of typos and mistakes like everyone else. But the other 100 sources in my vintage Ford lit/shop manual collection back up the 'Cleveland' references. Ford had 'plans' for a range of Clevelands that all fell apart thanks to the Feds smog rules getting in their way. Shucks.

 

fixxed

 

Pud, would that be for emissions reasons? I'm asking cuz I picked up a 351W from a 76 torino, and it has the smog pipes out the back of the heads.

 

lol sorry man I have no idea why. I just know the 'what'. Ford does funny things sometimes...like have you ever seen a fullsize bronco from the factory with a 3.8L/5 speed combo? I have...

 

Well, I'll be the first to tell you that they don't exist... but I've seen some oddball stuff.

As far as the deck heights... you are correct... I just got ahead of myself.

 

I think in Mexico the 3.8 came in the Bronco's and F-150's. I know at Auto Zone when they pull up parts, there is a 3.8L option under the F-150 and the Bronco. Who knows.

 

I used to have a friend that was kind of a bum. In and out of jail, had lots of girlfriends and cheated on all of them. He abused alcohol, couldn't hold down a job, and moved every other month because he kept getting evicted. He finally moved in with me and stayed with me for over a year. He wouldn't get a job, drank all my beer, and ate everything in the fridge. I couldn't get him to move out. He wouldn't contribute in any way, shape or form.

He drove a 74 LTD with a 351m in it.

Clearly, the M stands for "mooch". You're an idiot if you think otherwise.

 

At least he had some common sense.


Mooch sounds good to me.

 

I think it stands for 'Maybe" because everyone always asks how to tell a 351m from a 400 by looking at the outside. And ya can't..so maybe its a 351 and maybe its a 400.

 

Now this thread is getting good. I love the ideas.

 

M stands for mother______

as in, I'm going to kill the next _________ who asks this question.

 

Hey, can I use the 4-barrel intake of this 302 in my backyard on the 351m in my station wagon?

 

I live in Michigan and a "M" always been known as a "modified" around these parts.
Don't know if that helps.

 

Please keep the humor coming. Nobody knows what the M stands for and Ford ain't talking.

 

Maybe the Michigan Man Might have to Modify his drive home and Mosey over to the Ford factory with a M16 and Make them start talking thru their Mouth.

We'll get some answers...DAMMIT!