Help Please 1978 f150
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Help Please 1978 f150
I resently purchased a 78 f150, 4x4, v8 with automatic. I am mechanically inclined, have been out of the vehicle world for sometime. My question is how do I find which engine and transmission? Can I use the vin #.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 641
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From: Port Charlotte, Florida
If its the original motor & trans its probably a 351M. If its auto its going to be a C6.
It could be a 400 and a stanard trans would be a NP435. NP205 transfer case with a 9inch rear end and a dana 44 front.
If you post up the vin# we can tell you what it came with.
It could be a 400 and a stanard trans would be a NP435. NP205 transfer case with a 9inch rear end and a dana 44 front.
If you post up the vin# we can tell you what it came with.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The engine code is the 4th digit of the VIN.
1977/79 F150/250 4WD & 1979 F350 4WD: B = 300 I-6 // H = 351M 2V // S = 400 2V.
The TRANS code is listed on the 2nd line of the Warranty Plate, which is located on the left door face below the latch.
A = New Process 435 4 Speed Manual // F = Warner T-18 4 Speed Manual.
G = Automatic Transmission. Ford used the G code from 1961 thru 1978 for ALL A/T's on F100/350's.
One had to know which A/T came with what engine.
The only A/T available with a 351M or 400 in 1977/79 F100/350's, 1980/82 F150/350's was the C6.
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Welcome to FTE
The engine code is the 4th digit of the VIN.
1977/79 F150/250 4WD & 1979 F350 4WD: B = 300 I-6 // H = 351M 2V // S = 400 2V.
The TRANS code is listed on the 2nd line of the Warranty Plate, which is located on the left door face below the latch.
A = New Process 435 4 Speed Manual // F = Warner T-18 4 Speed Manual.
G = Automatic Transmission. Ford used the G code from 1961 thru 1978 for ALL A/T's on F100/350's.
One had to know which A/T came with what engine.
The only A/T available with a 351M or 400 in 1977/79 F100/350's, 1980/82 F150/350's was the C6.
The engine code is the 4th digit of the VIN.
1977/79 F150/250 4WD & 1979 F350 4WD: B = 300 I-6 // H = 351M 2V // S = 400 2V.
The TRANS code is listed on the 2nd line of the Warranty Plate, which is located on the left door face below the latch.
A = New Process 435 4 Speed Manual // F = Warner T-18 4 Speed Manual.
G = Automatic Transmission. Ford used the G code from 1961 thru 1978 for ALL A/T's on F100/350's.
One had to know which A/T came with what engine.
The only A/T available with a 351M or 400 in 1977/79 F100/350's, 1980/82 F150/350's was the C6.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 176
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From: Wyoming, USA
It wouldn't hurt to check and see for sure that the engine in the truck is what it came with. My '79 F150 Ranger XLT came with a 400, but wayy back when, possibly when new the engine was swapped for a 460. the last two owners knew nothing about an engine swap and it origianally had most every option avaliable so the local doctor (still have original papers) that bought it may have decided on a bigger engine back when the truck was still new.
Of course your may be all original, I'm just saying that if you pop the hood on mine it looks 100% stock down to the factory AC, yet it had an engine swap done somewhere along the way.
Also, welcome to the board.
George
Of course your may be all original, I'm just saying that if you pop the hood on mine it looks 100% stock down to the factory AC, yet it had an engine swap done somewhere along the way.
Also, welcome to the board.
George
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Thanks, I did pop the hood and you can tell that it has been some work done. However it still looks like a big block, the ac has been removed for some reason.
How can you tell about the transfer case?
How can you tell about the transfer case?
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Now from the vin # which transfer do I have? The truck has a automatic transmission.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
F14 = F150 4WD
H = 351M 2V
N = Norfolk VA Assembly Plant
BJ6543 = 1978
So...as you can see...there is no code in the VIN for the transfer case.
There is no code for the transfer case on the Warranty Plate or Safety Standards Certification Label, either.
All 1978 F150 & F250 4WD's came with a New Process 205 (NP205) Transfer Case.
Ford did not use the terms big block or small block to describe engines. These are GM terms.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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either way if you have the 351m or the 400(no M, just 400) there not the best engines Ford had to offer. they are heavy, a bit expensive to build into anything decent. pretty thirsty, and not many aftermarket parts are made for them.
unfortunately i know this the hard way. I am plagued with the 400 in my 4x4. mine has a cam and headers. it runs decent but only gets about 10mpg.
They seem to be pretty reliable for the most part though.
A Windsor motor would be an ideal candidate when the time comes. lots of performance goodies and fairly inexpensive to build (for a ford engine anyway).
unfortunately i know this the hard way. I am plagued with the 400 in my 4x4. mine has a cam and headers. it runs decent but only gets about 10mpg.
They seem to be pretty reliable for the most part though.
A Windsor motor would be an ideal candidate when the time comes. lots of performance goodies and fairly inexpensive to build (for a ford engine anyway).
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Joined: Sep 2007
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I wouldnt say that the m block engines are junk, TMI has really made it cheap and easy to make a lot of buget horse power with one. Increase the compression and ditch the factory 8 deg retarted cam timing gears and its a whole new level of performance. The 400 is a lot like the 300 in terms of performance. Its a great cheap torque monster.