Which engine?
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Which engine?
I just got my Carter all tunned up and running on my "newer 390" in my 76 F-150. She was idleing in the driveway when I heard a KNOCK!!! Yes it sounds like a rod. Now I have to descide what to do. I either want to put a 460 in her or a 351W. The reason for the two choices is because I can put EFI on either.
Here is my question what swap is going to be easier? I have a EFI 351 in my 67 Bronco and it builds Great power but this is a bigger truck though I think it would push it fine and get descent milage. BUT the 460 could do anything I want it to.
Please help me descide
Kris
Here is my question what swap is going to be easier? I have a EFI 351 in my 67 Bronco and it builds Great power but this is a bigger truck though I think it would push it fine and get descent milage. BUT the 460 could do anything I want it to.
Please help me descide
Kris
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I have a bell housing from a 400 I thought that would work with the 460 as for the small block if the bell housing will not fit it I can round one up. What about engine mounts? Will either if these engines drop in my truck as is or do I need special mounts?
Kris
Kris
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The 351W won't bolt up to the FE transmission either.
This swap is a big swap no matter which engine you pick.
They never put 351W's in F-series trucks so you will have more to fitment than the 460 and the 351M'400's C6's are more plentiful.
Maybe check out the Engine swap forum
This swap is a big swap no matter which engine you pick.
They never put 351W's in F-series trucks so you will have more to fitment than the 460 and the 351M'400's C6's are more plentiful.
Maybe check out the Engine swap forum
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
This swap is a big swap no matter which engine you pick.
They never put 351W's in F-series trucks so you will have more to fitment.....
They never put 351W's in F-series trucks so you will have more to fitment.....
Before you call your motor dead, and swap it out, there may be hope for it yet. It could be faulty ignition or a number of other things not related to a bad motor causing the knock. What weight of motor oil are you running, and have you considered going to thickerI would recommend doing a compression test to verify the cylinders are pulling their weight, and put a manual oil pressure guage to see what your oil pressure is doing. You can drop your oil pan and check/replace the offending bearings. A piece of crocus cloth, and some bearings that are .001 undersize the current size you have now should do the trick. This is of course assuming you like the motor you have now, and would rather fix it than replace it.
If your heart is set on an EFI swap, I would recommend the 460 if you planned on doing any towing, and the 351W if you planned on putting around, and dont need the extra power. I would definatly want Mass air.
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This is the 73-79 Truck forum !
Not the 80-86 truck forum,.
No 351W's were in any 70's F-series truck.
Not the 80-86 truck forum,.
No 351W's were in any 70's F-series truck.
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Postmaster
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Originally Posted by million
No 351W's were in any 70's F-series truck.
Originally Posted by mil1lion
] They never put 351W's in F-series trucks...
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Common sense says Never means Never, not Never for a 7 year period because I am assuming that everyone knows that I mean 73-79.
I knew what you were trying to say, but the way you said it was factually incorrect.
Kris, are you interested at all in trying to fix your existing motor, or are you looking for any reason to get rid of it?
I knew what you were trying to say, but the way you said it was factually incorrect.
Kris, are you interested at all in trying to fix your existing motor, or are you looking for any reason to get rid of it?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
Kris i would fix the 390.only because it is in the truck now,and the 390 is a good engine for these trucks.im not saying the 351w,or the 460 aren't just as good.you have the engine in now,it works with the rest of the trucks drivetrain.i say fix the knock,upgrade any parts (if you wish to) while the engine is apart.you wont be disappointed with a warmed up 390.there are tons of performance parts out there,and they can produce really good power.-billy
Last edited by hotroddually; Oct 7, 2007 at 02:31 PM.
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The only reason I think it is a rod is you can feel the Knock even when you just crank the starter. If this engine is fixable without a complete rebuild that is what I will do. I think while I am at it maybe a new cam. What cam would be a good one for this it is a 1/2 ton long box 4x4 with 35" tires and 350 gears and a 4 speed.
Kris
Kris
Laughing Gas
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From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
kris,first you have to address the knock issues,and fix that symptom. the engine may need some repairs to the rotating assembly.rod and crank bearings,piston rings might as well be replaced while the engine is apart too.etc.to choose the right camshaft you have to decide where you want to build power. do you want lower end torque? or top end torque? the cam should be matched up with an intake, carb,exhaust combination to all work well together to create power.if you just want a mild build up(no real internal machining,or changes,i would suggest a 4bbl carb(600-750 cfm) aluminum hirise type intake, an rv type cam,a high output ignition, and a set of headders an dual exhaust.these up grades are not really expensive,and should make a noticable increase in power.everyone has an opinion on how to build power,this is only my take on a reasonbly priced upgrade. it may sound like alot,but you already have the parts to start.you just are going to freshen up your existing engine.then you will know what you have.i hope this helps-billy
Last edited by hotroddually; Oct 8, 2007 at 01:15 PM.
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Kris if you can afford the down time you should just rebuild the 390. It is a good pickup truck motor and the efficency can really be boosted when you rebuild it. Plus it will save you the expense of having to purchase another motor. In my opinion you would be money ahead just to rebuild the 390 for efficency and torque and have fun pulling everything you need to and getting decent mileage in the proccess.
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From: In a hole
If it were me i would fix/build the 390.
I det you could rebuild the 390 in less time than you could swap in one of the others.
and also then you would know that you had a good motor, where as you wight get one of the others swaped in and then it go out on you.
I det you could rebuild the 390 in less time than you could swap in one of the others.
and also then you would know that you had a good motor, where as you wight get one of the others swaped in and then it go out on you.