On my 351M, Id like to do a 460 swap but this engine is running great and not using any oil so i guess I'll run it for a while longer.

Its got the Weiand 8010 intake manifold and edelbrock 1406( i think is what its called) and new magnaflow dual exhaust . It was stock when I got it and the intake/carb seems to have made somewhat of a difference.

But I'm wanting a new project and I know it can run better so I am thinking about putting in a new cam, new timing chain(set to straight up) and MAYBE headers.

I am mechanically inclined with a fair amount of tools but I dont have alot of experience working on cars . Is a good chilton's/haynes gonna be able to walk me through all this? Any problems to be aware of beforehand?

The truck is driven very rarely but i do like to run it in local mud runs, occasional hauling stuff, playing on mud roads etc. I dont want to go too radical with the cam obviously and i'd like to keep the valves stock (if thats possible)Can any one recommend a good cam for this? I'd like to get a little noticable 'lope' if possible.

What timing set is best for reliability? Will it be self explanatory when I get in there as far as setting it to 'straight up'? Will I have to fool with timing or anything after doing the cam/timing chain?

Its got stock exhaust manifolds, bolted to my new Magnaflow dual exhausts. When I get thoses rusty old manifoolds off there and the new headers on I'm guessing my exhausts wont bolt right upto the headers, so I will have to have the exhaust shop hook my duals up to the headers. Will they totally have to redo my exhaust system ($$) or will they just have to do a little pipe bending or welding to get it to work? What headers are the best buy /fit ?

Sorry for the long post with many questions, looking forward to hearing everyones thoughts and I'm sure I will be checking back in here as the project goes along.

How much of a difference will I notice after doing these mods?

 

if you get shorty headers the exhaust should be relatively simple to just bolt on. if you get long tubes, which is what i would suggest for your applications because they help much more on the low end, you will need to cut off some pipe, possibly bend a little but since you already have a dual system, it should be relatively simple to modify it to fit.

 

for the cam id call up crane or comp or even summit and jegs, tell them what you told us, and theyll ask things like tire size gear ratio and stuff like that, then they can tell you what you want for a cam. Changing the timeing chain is no sweat. Really simple, a big gear and a little gear. they both have a little dot on em point em at eachother and slide em over the key way.

 

You will find if you go headers on a 'mud run' truck they will rust, leak & break alot easier than just leaving the exhaust as it is now (IMO)