351w or 460?
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351w or 460?
i've determined that my '86 f250 is going to need a rebuild or a new engine. if i get a new engine, should i put in a 460 or stay with the 351w? are the performance and towing gains worth the higher fuel costs? would putting in a different engine be much harder than replacing it with the same engine? which engine would you put in your truck, the 351w ho or 460? im interested to see which engine you guys prefer. they both sound great to me.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
Swapping from a 351W to a 460 entails a lot of extra stuff. The motor mount towers are different (and unique for the 460), the trans bellhousing pattern is different, meaning a new trans. You will need all of the accessory mounting brackets, radiator, exhaust manifolds and Y pipe or new ends if currently running duals.
However, swapping another 351W in avoids all the extra stuff that would have to be purchased.
Granted, the 460 is hard to top for towing, but they are rather thirsty.
However, swapping another 351W in avoids all the extra stuff that would have to be purchased.
Granted, the 460 is hard to top for towing, but they are rather thirsty.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Niceville, FL.
I don't think the gains would be worth the effort and expense. Depending on what your rear axle ratio is now you might want to swap in a higher (numerically) ratio such as a 4.10:1 for better towing.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Kuna ID
While I would prefer the 460, but considering the extra work involved in changing motors the 351 may be the better choice. Take the money you save by not doing the swap and build the 351 up a bit. It can't be that weak in stock form or they wouldn't have put it in 1 ton trucks. I have a 460 in my truck and a built 351W in my 67 mustang and the mpg isn't that different. 
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: wi
by the time ya spend the $$ for the 460 swap you could just biuld a 408 stroker out of the 351 http://www.rpmmachine.com/ford-351w-408-stroker.shtml
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thanks for the advice everyone. i was leaning toward sticking with the 351 and now thats what im going to do. does anyone know where i can get a running 351w ho? it doesnt have to be rebuilt but just running with no smoke or little oil usage would be ideal. the crank of my engine is toast so all i really need is a short block. im looking to spend less than 500. is this realistic? should i just shell out the extra dough to get a reman?
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It would be wise just to get a remanufactured engine so that you don't have to deal with the same issue again shortly down the road. You never really know the condition of a used engine without tearing it down and checking everything. Plus the chances of finding a good running engine in excellent condition for $500 might be tough.
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WA1986F-250, i was hoping to get a used engine that runs as good as your daily driver. that's awesome that you have that many miles on it with no smoke. how many mpg do you get with that because thats pretty much the same truck i have. also, where would be a good place to get a reman? i would like to get a jasper but they're really pricey. is there anywhere that has quality engines like jasper without the high price?
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Just my 2 cents here, I changed my 351 in my 86 F150 to a 460 with supprisingly very little ease. Didn't change all the trans stuff, like the cooler, already had a 4 core radiator, and the ignition system all worked well.
The only real major issue was getting the engine to sit in the truck at the right angle and not tip way down in the back. This required a 3in body lift to get clearance, that was bairly enough.
As far as gains from the 460, I had a heck of alot of fun with it but driving daily and replacing rear tires all the time(way to easy to smoke them off, but looked cool), got expensive. In the long run I got rid off the truck.
The only real major issue was getting the engine to sit in the truck at the right angle and not tip way down in the back. This required a 3in body lift to get clearance, that was bairly enough.
As far as gains from the 460, I had a heck of alot of fun with it but driving daily and replacing rear tires all the time(way to easy to smoke them off, but looked cool), got expensive. In the long run I got rid off the truck.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
does anyone know where i can get a running 351w ho?
If it were mine, and it could be down awhile, I would tear the engine you have down, and rebuild it yourself or take it to a machine shop and let them do it, and then put the same engine back in.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Quad Cities, IA
That's why I have two trucks... My '85 has the 351W "H.O." (and yes, this only means 4bbl carb/intake), and my '89 has the 460.
I use the '85 as a daily driver, gets used by pretty much everyone in my household right now, and use the '89 any time I need to haul stuff.
You could always replace the 351W in your truck, then find a good deal on a used, ugly, good running truck with a 460 if you need it for towing... I got my F-250 for $500. Ugly as sin, but runs perfect.
I use the '85 as a daily driver, gets used by pretty much everyone in my household right now, and use the '89 any time I need to haul stuff.
You could always replace the 351W in your truck, then find a good deal on a used, ugly, good running truck with a 460 if you need it for towing... I got my F-250 for $500. Ugly as sin, but runs perfect.
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so i found a fuel injected '91 351w for sale for $300. they said it was good. could i really just swap out the fuel injected stuff and put my intake and carb on and put it in there? is everything else the same?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
Originally Posted by dreo2003
WA1986F-250, i was hoping to get a used engine that runs as good as your daily driver. that's awesome that you have that many miles on it with no smoke. how many mpg do you get with that because thats pretty much the same truck i have. also, where would be a good place to get a reman? i would like to get a jasper but they're really pricey. is there anywhere that has quality engines like jasper without the high price?
S&S engines is better than jasper in price and quality. The warranty is also 7 years and 70k. www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com