Whats easier????
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Whats easier????
I have a 85' F250 4x4. The body is in bad shape. I found a 83' F250 2wd with great body, glass is good, electrical is good, tires, brakes so forth. Mine the electrical has gremlins that I am still trying to fix, the windshield is broken and the rear window the seal is rotted and missing in some places so when it rains water comes in. I am getting this 83' for body parts. The motor is shot in it. I am trying to figure out what is easier transfering the body over to mine or converting the 83' to a 4x4. Has anyone ever done this before? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
Transfering the body onto the 4X4 frame is by far the easier route as long as the frame is good. Most of the electrical wiring should move with the cab. Do they have the same engine? If not, you may need to move engine harnesses around, but both engine harnesses should plug into the cab harness. Also, you may need to do a little work with transmission linkages depending on what you have, but that shouldn't be very complicated.
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Thanks I was thinking that it would be. Now I just have to come up with a hoist or something to help lift the bodys off the frames. The 83' has a blown 460 my 85' has a 400M. Will the motor mounts line up or will I have to move them?
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
That's a good question...Ford never produced the 351C for the 80-96 chasis, so there won't be any direct reference material with part numbers...but the 400 and 351M are both "Modified Cleveland" blocks. From what I've read the modifications are internal to the engines, so it might bolt in.
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I know the 400M takes a big block bell housing. So I didn't know if it was different as far as the motor mounts.
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The 351c is a different bird, and will not fit. It has the 302/351w motor mounting, and bellhousing. So it will not fit your truck.
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Before you start swapping things around check with your Motor Vehicle Office about the effects of what you're going to do will have on your title. Varies from state to state, but you may have to get a "Salvage" title issued. Not clearing up the title could be a real problem if you have an accident or try to sell the vehicle.
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From: shawnee KS
The 351c is a different bird, and will not fit. It has the 302/351w motor mounting, and bellhousing. So it will not fit your truck.
Could you elaborate on that? I'm confused. I didn't think he mentioned any motor that had the "small" block bolt pattern.
Could you elaborate on that? I'm confused. I didn't think he mentioned any motor that had the "small" block bolt pattern.
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From: wi
a 351 c never came with the rear sump oil pan needed in a 80-up 4x4 truck for one. the bell is the same as 289,302,351w so it wont work with a M bell. the motor mounts bolt to the block with 2 bolt going strait up into the block where the M's and 460's use 3 bolts goin into the side of the block. i bet it would be a bugger doin exuast on one also cuzz theres no truck manifold for a 351 c in a truck but i spose you could use the ones from an M. yup thats about the only thing that would work from an M is the exuast manifolds! the 351 at first will look just like an M but when ya get closer youll see the differences
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From: shawnee KS
Thank you-now I see. Wasn't being disrespectful, just trying to understand where the conversation was going. It's great that someone can clarify those things in terms that can be understood. Besides, this isn't exactly stuff you can pick up a haynes, chiltons or whatever and find right off hand.
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Thanks for the info guys. I think I will just stick with the 400M. I knew the bellhousing wouldn't line up, I have a C6 for a small block. But that seems like to much work. Besides I don't have a cutting torch or welder. So I think I will leave the motor alone for now. This is what I love about this forum. You get a hell of allot more info here than in a chilton's manual.