1978 F-150 4x4 engine
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
1978 F-150 4x4 engine
looking to change motor in my 78 ford f150. I have a straight 6 now but I'm wanting to upgrade it. i would like to know what you guys think. The truck sets more than it drives so gas mileage is no big deal, but i do haul my boat back and forth to lake and like to pull things with it. I have a camper and stuff to so i need pulling power. I have a bunch of engines to choose from so let me know what would be best. I have couple 302's, 351W(1969 C block), 351C(1971 4V), 351M(1979 stock 2 barrel) and a 460(1971).
All the motors will need rebuilt so it really doesn't matter which i go with. The 351M is currently in my parts truck a 1979 4x4.
All the motors will need rebuilt so it really doesn't matter which i go with. The 351M is currently in my parts truck a 1979 4x4.
Last edited by miichael; Nov 10, 2006 at 04:32 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
The 460 i got dont have the good heads its the worst heads to have as far as HP goes. What would be nice is take the 351M/400 and use the 400 block and the the 351C 4V heads and make a 400 with the 4V heads but i'm not sure if man could find a intake for that.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,985
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
But don't use the 4v heads those have the huge valves they work fine if your gonna be in the higher rpm range and driving fast but just doing low rpm work they wouldn't work very good. here is a nice write up about the 4V heads
http://www.boss351.org/cylhead.htm
http://www.boss351.org/cylhead.htm
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
I too had a 300 six, and swapped in a V-8. I too had kicked around several different engine sizes when I did my swap. I towed a small pop-up camper at the time, so I went with a 351W, which allowed me to use the same bell housing. I noticed alot more power than with the 300, especially on the highway.
I now upgraded to a larger camper (approx. 4000lbs.) that I tow with my truck, and with a load of firewood in the bed, it does pretty good on flat highways, but on the hills I lose power pretty quick. I have 3.50 gears with 33" tires, and I think if I were to get lower gears and smaller tires that I would be fine, but If I had to do it again, I'd go with the 460.
I now upgraded to a larger camper (approx. 4000lbs.) that I tow with my truck, and with a load of firewood in the bed, it does pretty good on flat highways, but on the hills I lose power pretty quick. I have 3.50 gears with 33" tires, and I think if I were to get lower gears and smaller tires that I would be fine, but If I had to do it again, I'd go with the 460.
Last edited by clean79150; Nov 11, 2006 at 08:20 AM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 4
From: Grayling, MI
Another thing to keep in mind is that the 302, 351W, and 351C share the same bell housing with the 6. The 351M, 400, and the 460 ues a different bell housing pattern. I know that Ford didn't put a smallblock V8 in a 78 4x4 truck so I am not sure how much of a bolt in it is. 351M and 400's were put in from the factory, so mounts and stuff are available. L&L makes all of the stuff to put the 460 in it. Just some other stuff to think about. If you use the larger bell housing engines you will need a different bell housing if you have a 4 speed or C4 or a different tranny if you have a C6.
I have a 400 in my 78 4x4 with a Performer cam and intake, 750 Edelbrock carb, and headers, and it runs great and pulls pretty hard. I swapped from a 300 like you are planning, but I have a 4 speed and got all of the frame mounts from a donor truck and a bell housing from a friend.
Let us know if you have any more questions.
Steve
I have a 400 in my 78 4x4 with a Performer cam and intake, 750 Edelbrock carb, and headers, and it runs great and pulls pretty hard. I swapped from a 300 like you are planning, but I have a 4 speed and got all of the frame mounts from a donor truck and a bell housing from a friend.
Let us know if you have any more questions.
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
Likes: 9
From: iowa
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
Just Rebuild the 400. A guy on here gets 700+ HP out of his 400.
Plus the 400 is about 120 lbs lighter than the 460.
Plus the 400 is about 120 lbs lighter than the 460.
Originally Posted by micheal
The 460 i got dont have the good heads its the worst heads to have as far as HP goes.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
The truck has 4 inch lift with 33" tires and gears are 3:50 or lower im pretty sure. it was the lariat trailer special. Ill prob just put 351W in it. i dont want a hot rod i just want a good stock engine with a 4 barrel carb. Tranny is 4 speed granny. The Cleveland 351 would be great for top end hp but i will mainly need low rpm HP and torque.
as for the 460 its not D0VE heads so it may not be a 71. its either d2ve or d3ve im pretty sure.
as for the 460 its not D0VE heads so it may not be a 71. its either d2ve or d3ve im pretty sure.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
Likes: 9
From: iowa
If it's D2VE, then it's an open chamber design which is extremely prone to detonation and as you noted is the worst head available for a 385 series engine (and would make it a 72 just for reference) the D3VE, was the head designed to replace it and had closed chamber design again thus reducing the problems with detonation.
Honestly if you are not looking for a "hotrod" as you put it, but want an engine with low end torque, your better off rebuilding the 300I6, that motor is a solid engine, and will produce more torque in the low end than a 351W dreams about. I have had several and I will take a straight 6 over a small block V8 everytime for low end towing etc, so unless your looking for a high speed screamer you already have the perfect engine.
Honestly if you are not looking for a "hotrod" as you put it, but want an engine with low end torque, your better off rebuilding the 300I6, that motor is a solid engine, and will produce more torque in the low end than a 351W dreams about. I have had several and I will take a straight 6 over a small block V8 everytime for low end towing etc, so unless your looking for a high speed screamer you already have the perfect engine.
Last edited by monsterbaby; Nov 11, 2006 at 04:00 PM.
