Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

351c Swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 24, 1999 | 12:26 PM
  #1  
alan_3's Avatar
alan_3
Thread Starter
|
New User
25 Year Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
351c Swap

Hello!

I have a 76 F250 2WD with a stock 390 thats
really burning oil. I also have a 351c 2V engine
and C6 combo with only a few thousand miles on
their rebuild. I want to put this engine/trans
in the truck but I cant find any info on exhaust
manifold/header setups. I don't have the stock
manifolds, so either way I'm going to have to
spend some money. Also, I don't want headers
just for the sake of performance.
(I've searched all over FTE for a couple weeks
and can't seem to find the answer to this
question, but I may have overlooked it ).
Also, any other pitfalls that you could point
out would be appreciated.

Thanks for any help,
Alan
 
Reply
Old Sep 24, 1999 | 06:25 PM
  #2  
jowilker's Avatar
jowilker
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Club FTE Silver Member

351c Swap

Alan, the 351C is not a good truck engine at all. The engine was designed for higher rpm's and perfomance. The truck would do much better IMHO with the 390 rebuilt. It's tourque curve is much lower, therefore better suited for truck use. You can add performance parts and maintain good gas milage.

Good Luck

John
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 1999 | 12:05 AM
  #3  
BigBrownTruck's Avatar
BigBrownTruck
Elder User
25 Year Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
351c Swap

The 351C didn't come stock in your truck. The closest relative would be the 351M. The deck heigth however on the M is a full inch taller so the exhaust is higher and wider. The 351M uses different engine perches than the 390. My local truck expert yard says that the 302,351W,351M and 400 use the same perch. My guess is that the 351C would require the same perch as the 351M which you don't have w/ your 390. The 351C is a small block bell housing pattern. 351M,400,360,390 and 460 use the big block pattern. You could probably use manifolds from a 351M or 400 and have an exhaust shop bend the intermediate pipe. Perhaps you could use the newly rebuild heads on a 351M or 400 shortblock and reuse your 390 tranny. The "M" motors are heavier duty in the lower end than the Cleveland. Myself I'm eagerly awaiting new head for a 390 that is replacing my broken 302. Most header's that I've seen are for the FE (352,360,390) and the "M" (351m,400) and the 460 as these were commonly non Catalyst motors. I have had a hard time seeing headers for 302's (73-79) or 351W as these seem to be mostly Catalyst motors. How about selling the 351C to a muscle car owner and fixing or buying a 390 long block? Happy Hunting.....
BBTruck


 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 1999 | 07:12 AM
  #4  
jowilker's Avatar
jowilker
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Club FTE Silver Member

351c Swap

BBT, sir please visit wlrjet.com and look at the V8 engine site. Engines are in families. since the 351 C & M are in the same family the bells are the same. the FE's are different than the 460. You may want to rewrite your post, concerning that issue.

John
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 1999 | 07:48 PM
  #5  
BigBrownTruck's Avatar
BigBrownTruck
Elder User
25 Year Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
351c Swap

If you read the cleveland family article at the site you referred me to, you will find near the bottom a section addressing the differences between the 351C and the "M" motors. This is where I found that the 351C uses the same bellhousing pattern as the small block and the "M" motors (with the exception of some very rare early castings) use the pattern shared by FE's and 429/460's
BBTruck
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 1999 | 08:40 AM
  #6  
jowilker's Avatar
jowilker
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Club FTE Silver Member

351c Swap

BBT, I am not sure where you missed it, or maybe I missed it. The 460 bell is flat on top with a 8in. bolt spread. The FE's have a round top. The M's which the C is a family member of are flat with a 4in. spread. These dimentions are not actual but close.

If you dout, check it out,

John
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 1999 | 01:15 PM
  #7  
BigRebel's Avatar
BigRebel
Junior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Nashville USA
351c Swap

The 351C use's the small block housing.
the 351M use's the big block housing

BigRebel (aka.Mike)
1979 F-100 w/302 & C-4
Icq#1753451
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Canyon/2016">http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Canyon/2016</a>
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 1999 | 06:43 PM
  #8  
Alan
Guest
Posts: n/a
351c Swap

jowilker,
Thanks for all the info and advice. I guess I
will probably end up rebuilding the 390.
I had hoped to save a great deal of money
by using the Cleveland since I've already
got a small block C6 that fits the motor and
both have been run in another application for
only a few thousand miles. Also, it was cammed
for RV use and has a 4-barrel alum intake/Holley
combo. I just can't find an aftermarket exhaust
system. (Okay, so I'm making one last plea in
hopes that I can still use the Cleveland for
$$$ reasons ). BUT I do know the 390 was
a STRONG motor when it was running right.

Thanks again,
Alan


 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Sep 28, 1999 | 09:52 AM
  #9  
jowilker's Avatar
jowilker
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Club FTE Silver Member

351c Swap

Allen, put the motor in your truck. We all tried to give the best advice for use in a truck, but that doesn't mean that it wont work. If your truck is a cruser you will have a lot of fun at the traffic lights with that motor.

Have Fun Man,

John
 
Reply
Old Sep 28, 1999 | 02:24 PM
  #10  
69ford's Avatar
69ford
New User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: ulysses united states
351c Swap

351M, 400, 460 share the same bellhousing

289,302,351w,351c share the same bellhousing

Fe's share the same bellhousing

I know, I own one of each.

It is possible to combine C6 parts from 400 bellhousing pattern to small block pattern, I had to get a small block c6 case and put the 400 c6 output shaft in it to use a 5.0l (302) in my 4wd truck.

 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 1999 | 06:40 PM
  #11  
4rdgasm's Avatar
4rdgasm
Freshman User
25 Year Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
351c Swap

I have a 351c 2V in my 77 shortbox, stepside. It was completely redone, pushing a modest 325hp. I love the engine. I used to have the 4V heads, but found them absolutely useless on the street. I also had headers on it. Both the 4V and 2V. I bought the headers about 8 years ago and can't remember what I purchased them for: I believe they were ordered for a Torino?????, I can't be sure, but I know they were intended for a car. With a little massaging of a pipe or two, that was the best alternative I found. As for no good in a pickup, I beg to differ. Of course mine is strictly for cruisin', so what do I know???
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 1999 | 05:30 PM
  #12  
bill_1's Avatar
bill_1
New User
25 Year Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
351c Swap

i unpluged a 351 from a 79 f250 4x4, and put in a 460 with the same exhaust and trans. (using a van pan, L&L mounts & custom pwr steering pump mount.)
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 1999 | 07:44 PM
  #13  
Pup's Avatar
Pup
Freshman User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
351c Swap

I also had a truck with a 351c and it would white smoke the tires for half a block and I pulled a few lodes with it and it worked fine. My truck was a 58F100 shortbed, the engine was out of a early 70 modle LTD the exaust manifolds were the stock car mainfolds and they worked just fine.

Good Luck

Mike
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 1999 | 09:25 PM
  #14  
charles_1's Avatar
charles_1
Junior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
351c Swap

 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AlanCasida
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Jan 23, 2015 09:58 PM
alan.cassidy
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
14
Feb 29, 2012 08:08 PM
Alan101252
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
May 12, 2008 06:58 PM
Alan93Bronco
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
3
Dec 12, 2004 06:55 AM
ayoung_2
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
7
Mar 15, 2001 07:26 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:23 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE