i have been looking for a 351W for quite some time now i have a 78 f150 ranger 4x4 with the 351M would it be worth my time to get the windsor or just rebuilt the modified which is the better engine and does anyone have a windsor in running condition???

 

if you go with a windsor, get the trany too, the one behind your 351m wont fit. if it were me i would just rebuild the 351m

 

I would rebuild the 351M into a 400.There are a number of aftermarket parts for these engines now.All that is needed to make it a 400 is a crankshaft and pistons.My.02

 

I'd go with the Windsor, I've had and heard of way to many problemw with the M. The aftermarket is also huge for the Windsor. They are normally really easy to find, like maybe out of an 80s truck. Just my opinion. That or a 460 is an easy swap.

 

Iv got a windsor and C6 with just under 90,000 somthing miles on it. It has a turbo charger on it too!!!
Located in wyoming if your intrested...

 

so if i got the 351W my c-6 wouldnt fit? what tranny would i have to get?

 

2x with the aftermarket support for the Windsor series...and a 351W can be stroked to.... 427 cubic inches of bowtie death!!!!!

 

You would need a C6 that originally came behind a 300, 302 or 351w. The 351w and 351m have different transmission bolt patterns.
A 460 will bolt to your existing C6.

 

Really? What have you heard and from whom? My M has been bulletproof the entire time I've owned it (27 years now). I've rebuilt it once, not because of problems, but because it was out of the truck during resto. Next time around it's going to be converted into a 400. Given the hassles of changing over engine AND trans to go Windsor, it makes more sense to stick with the M.
Do some upgrades, and run it. Believe me, they can take a lot of punishment, make serious hp and torque, and keep right on going for years.

 

I did that swap a while ago...took my 351M out and put in a 351W with the C6, out of an 85 Econoline Club Wagon XL...lots more power, lots of extra aftermarket parts. I looked into the 400 upgrade, it was going to cost me more than it did to purchase the engine and transmission. I vote for the W, but it is your call...good luck with the swap...

 

Well if you must ask then here goes. My uncle farms and had has well over 10 77.5 to 79 Fords. In 1982 he bought a 1977.5 F-250 with a bad 351m, it only had 62k on it. He swapped in a 400 from a 1971 LTD and never licensed it. Still has 62k on it.
He has also had 4 others that needed new main and rod bearings and a high volume oil pump. And to be fair one of those was a 1978 Ranger with a 400 and its still on the road.
In 1980 a local farmer bought a new left over 1979 F-250 full time 4x4 from Dave Sinclair Ford in STL MO. He had one 351m replaced under warranty and by 1984 it needed another one and was sitting in a cow pasture. It had extremely low oil pressure and low compression. The bearing and pump trick didn't help this one. My dad bought it and slapped in a $75 junk yard 429, went from 7 to 9mpg and it still runs great to this day. I grew up in the 80s when these trucks were everywhere and I didn't really know what was going on back then but I do remember quite a few of my dads friends doing the 460 swap as well. I'm sure I could ask him and double the stories I'm listing here.
Fast forward to 2005. I thought the oil pressure gauge in my 1977 F-150 was not working when I bought but when it was cold and revved the needle would move like 1/64 of an inch. It was also running rough and had about 25psi compression on one cylinder. I gave the M away for free and went 460 and never looked back. Its a super easy and cheap swap. I think I'd rather run a 350 Chevy in my truck than a 351m or 400. I am beyond disgusted with them and have a deep hatred for the 351m/400. I know some people love them and thats fine, they can have them!
I hope I answered your question.

 

i am having problems with my 351m its starting to sound like the barrings are about to throw out of it and im tired or messing with it

 

Sarcasm is hardly necessary....... but thanks anyway for your well thought-out answer. During this era, which you claim to be before or during your youth, there were lemon engines and chassis. This still occurs present day. For the most part, the 335's were reliable; your elder's luck with them hardly typical. I've had no problems with mine, and know plenty of folks that share that experience. Every piston (and turbine) engine has its good and bad points, and once analyzed and addressed, nearly if not all can be made reliable. The M is no different.

 

Used to rebuild motors all the time professionally. I vote 351W. Was the motor Ford should have used back then anyway. Far more parts available and lower costs too. The M, was a fair motor back in the day. But the real reputation was with the 351C. I know too many folks that have had several crank kits and bearing swaps in a 351/400M. owned a few myself over the years and was never really impressed by the them either. With the explosion of parts for the 302/5.0/351 after 86 there are just too many things you can take advantage of using the Windsor blocks. If i keep this truck long enough to have to swap a motor, it will be to a Windsor, no doubt.

 

IMHO, I would go with the big block for a 4x4. Though I do love the Windsor! Which is what I have in my 78 F100 by the way. But it's only a two wheel drive. In general, the small block is better suited for a two wheeler and the big blocks are a better choice for a 4x4. Of course there are exceptions to the rule.

Bill