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Hey guys. Me again. Thanks for your input on the axels. I have'nt given the whole axel thing much thought because the 79 is a camper special and already has the big Dana 60's under it. What I was wondering about was if it was worth my trouble to rebuild the 390 out of the 4x2 and drop it in the 79 or if I should keep the 351M and fix it up. Another question would be if I went with the 390 would it be easy to bolt right in. would you guys bolt it up to the automatic or would you try to install the standard too.
Thanks,
NB
Thanks,
NB
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
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Just my 2 cents. But I would rebuild the 390FE while driving the truck with the 351M in it. Since you have all the parts necessary from the donor truck to install the FE.....why not? I mean there is nothing wrong with rebuilding the 351M.... but I am kinda partial to the FE engines since I have one in my truck coupled to a 4spd 
It depends on what you want, the FE with the 4spd will give decent mileage,bags-o-torque and is kind of a collectors item, but the install process will take a little time. The 351M is already installed so you save a lot of time there, and it is a good engine also with plenty of aftermarket stuff available. Just depends on what you want to do with the truck it is a purely a personal choice.
Good luck on whatever you decide.
It depends on what you want, the FE with the 4spd will give decent mileage,bags-o-torque and is kind of a collectors item, but the install process will take a little time. The 351M is already installed so you save a lot of time there, and it is a good engine also with plenty of aftermarket stuff available. Just depends on what you want to do with the truck it is a purely a personal choice.
Good luck on whatever you decide.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
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that would be the simplest thing to do. Every time I thought I had every thing, I would not. Radiator could be different, it's the little things that are a killer. If you wanted to build the engine up, you could do that.
John
John
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I swapped a 302 into where there was a 300. And I also have a 390. The engine Perchs for your 351 are common to 302,351 and 400 (at least the interchange info from the wrecking yard said so) the 360/390 is different and looks a lot like the 300 perches I threw away. When I had to change perches it was pretty easy in my 76 f100 because there were holes already drilled in the cross member for the donor perches that I purchased at the wrecking yard. The other issue that I am aware of is that the bellhousing patterns are different between the two engines. I believe that your 351 perches angle toward the rear from the crossmember and the 390 I have is parallel with the crossmember. I currently have a 4sp on my 390 in my 69, but I may swap the motor into my dead 76 and I have gotten a couple of quotes for FE style C6's from the wrecking yards ranging from $300 from the truck specialty yard w/ 90 day warranty to $150 from the high volume yard w/ a 30 day warranty.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
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BBT, go with the $150.00, If it's bad you will know it in a week. I would rebuild it before I installed it just because of all the work involved.
John
John
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When I converted my 76 from 300 to 302 I also converted from 3sp to smallblock C6 and purchased my tranny from the high volume yard. It had "sweet" looking oil so I took the chance. This yard crushes a lot of cars so supposedly saves only what the consider good engines and tranny's. The tranny proved reliable but did leak fluid out the bellhousing. This may have been exhasperated by the fact that my 302 crank was walking. You are right, I feel inclined to have the next tranny I buy (if I convert, I might like the 4sp) or the smallblock C6 rebuilt before using. I have gotten quotes from $500-1200 for rebuilding although the 500 quote does not include removal or installation. I have had people tell me that I could replace the end seal and the pump seals myself and probably solve the problem, but the tranny shops rebut that the problem could be caused by something deeper requiring a rebuild. For now I drive the 4sp and in the spring, I will either transfer from my 69 to my 76 or I will buy a C6.
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Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Indiana
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Nailbeater, your engine choices are wide open. A 400M from a 2 wheel drive pickup or from a car (mid to late 70's Lincoln, big LTD, Thunderbird, Etc.) will drop right in. With a car motor use your accessory brackets from your truck motor. Also a 460 from the same vehicles will fit , but you will need the engine towers from a 460 pickup, ( this was a factory setup mid to late 70's also ) or aftermarket engine mounts that let you use your 351M towers.( L&L Products,Advanced Adapter. ) The 351M,400M,429,460 share the same bellhousing bolt pattern. I won't be popular for this one but forget the 390, they have a bad rocker arm set up, and it would take changing a lot of parts to get it in there, you would have to get a different transmission, etc. The 390 has a different bellhousing bolt pattern. The 352,360,390,428 share the same bolt pattern. If you already have the C-6 , keep it!
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