351M needs some bite
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351M needs some bite
ok i got a 1979 ford ranchero with a 351M and i'm looking for some solid advice. the stuff i want to put on is a spring/summer project so dont worry about time needed. ok my ranchero is my daily driver but i want it to have a bit more snort but yet still get better than 10 mpg. (right now it gets about 16-17 miles per gallon including the warm up) do you think that these parts would be a good combo to get? Holley 0-80452 - Holley Model 4160 Adjustable Float Carburetors - summitracing.com
Edelbrock 2171 - Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifolds - summitracing.com
and also ik that i'll need headers and maybe some sort of X or H pipe and i was wondering if there was a site that had those things so i could just bolt them on and go. or would i have to modify stuff. also wat type of exhaust would i need or would cherry bombs work just fine?
also i was looking at getting my engine honed out. would this be a good call considering i'm pretty sure its last owner beat it or would there be a better option? and would be getting the valves seated and maybe getting stiffer springs be a good invest ment to?
lastly are aluminium rims really worth their cost or for my applications would steels work fine.
Thanks for all your help
Edelbrock 2171 - Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifolds - summitracing.com
and also ik that i'll need headers and maybe some sort of X or H pipe and i was wondering if there was a site that had those things so i could just bolt them on and go. or would i have to modify stuff. also wat type of exhaust would i need or would cherry bombs work just fine?
also i was looking at getting my engine honed out. would this be a good call considering i'm pretty sure its last owner beat it or would there be a better option? and would be getting the valves seated and maybe getting stiffer springs be a good invest ment to?
lastly are aluminium rims really worth their cost or for my applications would steels work fine.
Thanks for all your help
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
1) Convert it to a 400 by changing the crank, see TMeyer, Inc. Precision Automotive Machining
2) Use a straight-up timing gear & chain set
Search thru & read the archives of this forum, lots of good info here
2) Use a straight-up timing gear & chain set
Search thru & read the archives of this forum, lots of good info here
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
It sounds like you don't want to open up or build a new motor, so the 400 suggestion is a good one, but probably not practical for your situation.
The straight up timing chain trick does not work on ALL of these engines. I think it has a better chance of working on the earlier ones.
Changing intake and carb will not really do much for a street car unless it is done in conjunction with a compression increase and a cam change.
Your BEST BET for gaining power in the rev range that will do you some good on the street is to use a set of full length, preferably small tube headers.
The straight up timing chain trick does not work on ALL of these engines. I think it has a better chance of working on the earlier ones.
Changing intake and carb will not really do much for a street car unless it is done in conjunction with a compression increase and a cam change.
Your BEST BET for gaining power in the rev range that will do you some good on the street is to use a set of full length, preferably small tube headers.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
at 4deg retarded....
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
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In my opinion, un-retarding all engines will only better the rpm torque range...a little bit
anyways a straight up timming on this engines will çbetter their dynamic compression thus not only giving better torque but better milliage, but the change would be rather insignificant compraed to other stuff like really raising your CR, getting headers, or even turning it into a full 400....
whats to be expected of turning a 4 degrees retarded 8:1 cr to its 0 degrees 10 lbs of torque at a lower engine speed and 2 or 3 miles per galon more?? not that much... Alot more is needed...
anyways a straight up timming on this engines will çbetter their dynamic compression thus not only giving better torque but better milliage, but the change would be rather insignificant compraed to other stuff like really raising your CR, getting headers, or even turning it into a full 400....
whats to be expected of turning a 4 degrees retarded 8:1 cr to its 0 degrees 10 lbs of torque at a lower engine speed and 2 or 3 miles per galon more?? not that much... Alot more is needed...
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
I don't think that the later 351M's had the same mistimed arrangement as the earlier ones. I have put timing sets on a few with mixed results, so I finally came to the conclusion that it is best to change cams in the bargain.
In the case of the original poster let's look at what he's looking at doing:
He's talking about replacing intake and carb and you guys now have him thinking about a timing set. Okay, let's say he does this work. Since the intake will be off and the timing set will be off, it would be very little more work to go ahead and put a mild RV cam in there. Then he KNOWS that he has taken care of the cam timing issue if therre is one, plus building a little more cylinder pressure in the bargain.
All that said there will be more to gain from a set of small tube, full length headers and a decent exhaust system than the above described work. Do the above AND the exhaust system and you have THEN done something to wake it up.
In the case of the original poster let's look at what he's looking at doing:
He's talking about replacing intake and carb and you guys now have him thinking about a timing set. Okay, let's say he does this work. Since the intake will be off and the timing set will be off, it would be very little more work to go ahead and put a mild RV cam in there. Then he KNOWS that he has taken care of the cam timing issue if therre is one, plus building a little more cylinder pressure in the bargain.
All that said there will be more to gain from a set of small tube, full length headers and a decent exhaust system than the above described work. Do the above AND the exhaust system and you have THEN done something to wake it up.
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alrighty that sounds good. so basically a cam would be a good idea to add? and i was wondering does a 351W bolt right into the 79 ranchero that had a 351m in it to begin with? i know the rancheros came with 351W but is it a perfect swap or not really
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