So, I have an appointment with the smog ref. However, after much research I have concluded that unless the smog ref is one who will give me a nod and a wink on my current engine setup, I am screwed. The PO dropped a 460 into my 1978 F150. It was made in California, I live in California, and they did not make a F150 4x4 with a 460 in 1978. According to Ca. laws, I cannot put a big block in a light duty truck with the low GVWR. I even talked to a guy who dropped a nearly new big block in a 70's truck with all the EFI and current smog and they still rejected it due to the GVWR as a light truck and not rated for a big block.

So, here is the question. Should I go and find a 351M that came with the truck and sink money into it to try and get decent performance? Or, should I go and pull a 5.8 from say a 1996 F150 along with the AOD transmission and drop it into my F150? Both would pass smog since both are a 351 and both would have all the necessary smog stuff. I talked to an engine builder and he was not complimentary of the 351M. He said if I go that route, to do a 400M and we could change the pistons and there are some head options. He said though that even the 400M isn't going to make a lot of power though by comparison.

What say ye?

 

im not sure what you should do but i have a 76 with a 400 i got out of a 78 ltd (had to clear that up because someone will probably tell me that 76's didnt come with a 400) and it has plenty of power to go around lol

 

Got family in the 49-state area?

 

Well, I plan on retiring to Nevada and it won't be an issue there but that is about 2 years away or so. I've been reading up on the possible performance enhancements on the 351M and the 400M and I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable that I can get adequate power from either.

 

Another reason I don't like California...
I've yet to hear that one, sayin' a specific engine can't go in a truck, with a certain GVWR.
What if it was factory...? (It's not, No 460s in 4x4s until '84, and that was F-350s only)
What would they say then...?
Just tell them, that's the way Ford made it, (It's not, of course ) But, It's California, They won't know any better.

 

I would be giddy if I could find a smog referee that was that stupid but since the refs in my area are all in the college auto shops, they tend to know a bit more than the average smog shop drone. I pretty much am stuck with going with a new 5.8 or picking up a 351M/400M and putting near stock. Any more suggestions, anybody run into this same issue? Anybody in the San Francisco east bay area with a good engine shop?

 

What about an FE...?
It's not factory though...