Identify this engine? Pic provided.
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From: MD
Identify this engine? Pic provided.
I am working on a 1978 F150 that originally had a VIN "H" 351M. I suspect the original engine is long gone.
The engine in there is a 351M/400, although I'm not sure where it came from? It's been painted orange...talk about betrayal.
Here's a pic for anyone that may identify this. While I know valve covers are easily swapped, I want to get at least a clue.
Thanks.
The engine in there is a 351M/400, although I'm not sure where it came from? It's been painted orange...talk about betrayal.
Here's a pic for anyone that may identify this. While I know valve covers are easily swapped, I want to get at least a clue.
Thanks.
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From: Longwood, Fl
Be careful about the orange, Ford has an orange engine paint as well as chebby. I used it when I freshened up my Volvo engine in my boat (its a chebby 350). I did that as a "gottcha" couldnt wait to point it out to one of my buddies 
. Mark A. is right, although someone could have put the covers on a 351C/351M/400.
. Mark A. is right, although someone could have put the covers on a 351C/351M/400.
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From: Longwood, Fl
Obviously, he thought you had missed the obvious. Obviously he was attempting to point out what was obvious, that you may have inadvertently overlooked. It is now obvious that you had, indeed, not missed the obvious. I would obviously expect that mark may regret misjudging you. Isnt that obvious? LOL
LOL
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From: MD
Obviously, he thought you had missed the obvious. Obviously he was attempting to point out what was obvious, that you may have inadvertently overlooked. It is now obvious that you had, indeed, not missed the obvious. I would obviously expect that mark may regret misjudging you. Isnt that obvious? LOL
LOL
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Posting Guru
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From: chicago burbs
non-original valve covers, non-original engine. the only way to know what you have is to drop the oil pan and check the crank cast code on the front counterweight.
as far as what it came out originaly, good luck! the only way i can think of is to 'map' the cam and cross reference it against the info on the Bubba page.
all that can be told for sure without more info is that it's either a 351M or a 400
as far as what it came out originaly, good luck! the only way i can think of is to 'map' the cam and cross reference it against the info on the Bubba page.
all that can be told for sure without more info is that it's either a 351M or a 400
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arlington,Wa
Get yourself a wood dowel that will fit thru the spark plug hole. Put the dowel in the hole and turn the engine by hand and measure how far down the dowel
travels. 4in=400ci. (400's have a 4in stroke) I've seen this method posted before. Don't know how else to check without going thru all the trouble of dropping the pan.
travels. 4in=400ci. (400's have a 4in stroke) I've seen this method posted before. Don't know how else to check without going thru all the trouble of dropping the pan.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Kalgoorlie Australia
Ford Australia fitted orange valve covers to most 302 Clevelands from relese in 1972 until about 1978 to distinguish them, in the public view, from the previously offered 302 Windsor.Just abit of useless information for anyone who might care.
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From: Longwood, Fl
Just a quick thought on using the dowel to check stroke, see if it works (I havnt tried it--yet!)
Use #1 cylinder and remove plug. Measure to top of piston, at TDC using a reference point somewhere (top of plug threads, exaust flange top of head, etc ) Remove dowel and rotate 180 deg, maybe use a degree wheel or balancer tape----or maybe pull dist cap and watch rotor for 180. Reinsert dowel at the same angle and measure to same reference point. Lastly, measure length difference (not trying to make anyone look stoopid
). My guess is it would be a little easier than leaving the dowel in while rotating. Whatever works--
Use #1 cylinder and remove plug. Measure to top of piston, at TDC using a reference point somewhere (top of plug threads, exaust flange top of head, etc ) Remove dowel and rotate 180 deg, maybe use a degree wheel or balancer tape----or maybe pull dist cap and watch rotor for 180. Reinsert dowel at the same angle and measure to same reference point. Lastly, measure length difference (not trying to make anyone look stoopid
). My guess is it would be a little easier than leaving the dowel in while rotating. Whatever works--
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From: PacNW
Assuming the valve covers have NOT been swapped (big assumption) that engine is a 400 most likely out of a 1977 or later large sedan (LTD, etc.) or it could be out of a 1979 F-series as well since they went to cat conv in 1979.
