Hello, I have a 1955 f-100 I'm going to put a v/8 motor in how does the 351w compare with the 351m also I see 351m/400 referenced alot is that (one) motor or is there a 351m and a 400 motor also what trans would be good for one of these motors The reason I asked is I built a hot rod with 350 chevy, 9inch 350 ratio rear which I liked alot but I used a turbo 350 trans and always wished I had gone with overdrive trans it turned just a little to much on highway but take -off was fine thanks for your ideas Mike

 

Didn’t you post a similar question on the 22 last month?

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/895508-351-ford.html

 

That all depends on what you are looking for. Want mileage go 289/302. Want raw power Go FE or 428/460. Want it original, go Y-Block. Want us to mock you incessently, go Chevy. Want parts availability go 351W.

I have had three trucks one (55) had a 289 with a 3spd overdrive - it was wonderful and got great mileage.

The next one (56) had a 351C (which is the father of your 351M) and a C4. It was the biggest nothing I ever drove and got marginal mileage - no more pick-up than the 289.

My 51 has an FE 390 and really moves - no mileage, but I don't care. Parts are getting a little hard to find - the stupid parts like heater outlet nipples, etc.

 

I run a 390 FE in my 1955 F100 and love the sound, torque, and uniqueness. Big blocks are a tight fit in these old trucks and they don’t get the best gas mileage. But, like Julie said, "Who Cares!"

Nevertheless, I believe a 302/AOD combination would be tough to beat. In the last 10 years, the aftermarket has come a long way providing plenty of performance parts (cams, headers, intakes, heads, etc...) to upgrade a stock 302. Further, you could pull a 302 motor out of a wrecked 1998+ Explorer and have around 300 hp.

Lance<O</O

 

Before you decide on a drive line you have to think about what you are going to do with it,A show truck would like a big block with lots of bling,A restored truck should use a yblock or inline six,A driver ,Sunday go for ice cream,could go with any reliable engine trans combo,A long distance cruiser will want milage,power and parts avalibility,A truck used to replace your daily driver will need power to tow,milelage,relibility,and parts easy to get,My 54 panel is my only driver,I pull my boat and utility trailer with it,Go to shows and races a couple of hours away,haul garbage,and groceries,It has a 351w,c6,9 inch with 370 gears,disk brakes up front and toyota power steering.It makes a great daily driver,When I built it I had a plan for it to be a daily driver and i stuck to it,If you build it for the drag strip or show ring you won't be happy with it as a driver.

 

that post was inquiring about a 351w vs a351c 2 and 4 bolt mains this recent post was about the 351m and the 400 ci which I still didn't get an answer for Is there a problem with that ??

 

No, but I knew I had read something about a similar question a little while ago and when I searched the site in an effort to help you, the thread that I remembered was yours and from the information posted in the older thread I thought that most of your questions where answered, or that you where given the leads that would let you find the information that you wanted. I obviously was mistaken.

 

The 351m and 400 engines share the same block. The 351 has a 3.5" stroke, where the 400 has a 4" stroke, but both have a 4" bore. They also use the larger 429/460 bellhousing pattern instead of the small block style, which makes firewall and tunnel clearance a bit more of a struggle. They are similar in design to the 351c, but with a taller deck height.

The 351w is lighter and more compact, and coupled with an AOD trans would provide you with a very similar setup to what you wish you had in your previous build, only all Ford. It also has a lot better aftermarket support, if you want any go-fast goodies. ;-)

 

I have a 400 in my 78 Bronco with early 70's 400 heads, edelbrook intake and carb. It works very well for off roading where I usually don't have lots of rpm and crawl around at 3 mph all day. It will still cruise down the road at 70 with 3.55? gears in the rear. It has nice torque and decent power. Now, having said all that I wouldn't go out of my way to build one or put one in an effie. Speed parts are more expensive and there are limited parts availability to get lots of horsepower. Also, they will probably be heavier than a 351w. You also would have trouble finding an overdrive transmission that just bolts up without having to do other stuff. Mileage sucks at about 12 mpg on the road.