Considering picking up a truck for its engine. Owner claims its a Lightning motor. Says it was new, not out of a truck. Claims garage put it in quite a few years back...and of course has no documentation to prove it.

What I would like to know is how do I know for sure that Im getting what I want based upon visual inspection? Different injectors? Numbers or other identifiers on heads, upper or lower intake manifolds?

Thanks

Anthony

 

Which generation are you referring to; 93-95 or 99-04?

 

Sorry, dont know a lot about these.

Would be 93-95.

Thanks,

Anthony

 

This is a pic of my 94 in stock form and it shows the GT-40 intakes, as well as the 65mm throttle body, that came on the GEN 1 Lightnings from the factory. This was/is the only intake/throttle body option for the 93-95 Lightnings from the factory.
The heads are also GT-40 pieces and should have the letters "GT" stamped on the corner edges of the each head. Like the throttle body and intakes, the Lightning did not have any other head option from the factory.


Good luck and post back if you have any other questions.

 

Thank you very much for the information. Will go a long ways towards identification. The upper intake alone is very easy to see, but will look to the heads as well. Will the marking be on the front, rear, or plug sides of the heads?

Thanks again,

Anthony

 

I just went and double checked my truck and it's only stamped on one spot on each head. On the passenger side, it'll be on the front-outside corner, above the first head bolt and just below the valve cover lip. On the drivers side, the stamping will be on the same spot on the head but it'll be close to the firewall instead being that the head is flipped around.

 

Perfect. Thanks for taking the time to look. Now I just hope he is being honest.

Thanks again,

Anthony

 

One more thing to check, and I mention it only because I've seen it tried before. All of the Lightning top end parts will bolt directly to a 302. Heads, upper intake, etc. all go right on there. The easiest way to tell if it's a 302 or a 351 is to look at the area where the lower intake meets the block by the distributor. If the intake is even with the distributor mounting pad, it's a 302. If it's about an inch above the pad it's a 351.

 

Went and took a look. Standard Ford truck 351. Standard upper intake. Claimed it was a 70K engine, but the only way I see that as possible is if they forgot half the oil seals. Was in horrid condition. Oil was ugly...real ugly. Spark plugs were solid blocks of rust. On the upside, it started and ran well and it held good oil pressure. The search will continue.

Thanks again to everyone that helped me here,

Anthony

 

I don't think it's a L engine, but just because it doesn't have the intake doesn't mean it isn't. Ford offered the L longblock for replacement for a long time. It could be the L engine with regular 351 intake.

 

The gen 1 351 was an off the shelf GT 40 Marine engine. The blocks are F4TE, except for the first half of 93. They are roller ready. But does not have a roller cam. Nothing really that special about them, except for the upper and lower intakes,,,, And the GT 40 heads.

Charlie

 

True that it could be a L with regular intake, but if regular intake, then I am missing a couple pieces worth a reasonable amount of money. If not complete, Ill have to pass

I did end up finding one and purchased it. Out of a 94. Truck was hit hard on the side, just behind the cab. Having the motor shipped and should either arrive today or sometime Monday.

Thanks again for the help, and Im sure Ill have more questions.

Anthony

 

The only difference between a standard 351 and L 351 shortblock is the pistons; hypereutectic vs cast. If it doesn't have the GT-40 heads, intakes and throttle body, then chances are it's probably just a standard 351w.
If that motor was in fact a Lightning longblock purchased as a replacement, then it would at least have the GT-40 heads.

 

Oh yeah.... I forgot about that.

 

so that is the only differance. I thought the block it self was supposed to handel more power. I was contiplating on getting an early lightning block and selling my 1969 351 block, **** ON THAT NOW!!!