Swapping engines(M-blocks)
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 139
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Swapping engines(M-blocks)
Well no the freeway Monday at about 75mph, I developed one hell of a lifter knock. Big deal right? Then I got to thinking, I probably need to change the cam now. Ok, woohoo again. Probably the timing chain while I'm in there. Then I remember about having low oil pressure when she warms up, so I probably have worn mains. And one cylinder that burns a little bit of oil. Hell, if I'm going to have the engine far enough apart to change the cam, and I have a "loaner" engine to use while I'm rebuiling this one, why not just take it out and rebuild it?
So, this weekend, I am taking my engine out of my 78 F150 4x4. It has either a 351M-400, C6.
My freind has a 76 F250(4x2), 4speed with granny low, with a 351M. It burns a little bit of oil.(i can manage for a month of so).
Any people in here swapped engines in less than a weekend? They're the same blocks, obviously, I was just wondering if anybody had some real-world tips for me. Emissions is a non-issue, as I won't be keeping any.
How hard are the bellhousing bolts to get to?
Do I need to use new bolts when I swap the flywheels? How about for remounting the bellhousings? Locktite?
Will the oil pans between the 2 trucks be the same? I haven't had the time to look.
Thanks much!
Matt
So, this weekend, I am taking my engine out of my 78 F150 4x4. It has either a 351M-400, C6.
My freind has a 76 F250(4x2), 4speed with granny low, with a 351M. It burns a little bit of oil.(i can manage for a month of so).
Any people in here swapped engines in less than a weekend? They're the same blocks, obviously, I was just wondering if anybody had some real-world tips for me. Emissions is a non-issue, as I won't be keeping any.
How hard are the bellhousing bolts to get to?
Do I need to use new bolts when I swap the flywheels? How about for remounting the bellhousings? Locktite?
Will the oil pans between the 2 trucks be the same? I haven't had the time to look.
Thanks much!
Matt
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Swapping engines(M-blocks)
Matt, Can I ask you a dumb question, If your bud will let you run the engine he isn't using it, Why don't you build his and give him your old one. Save the labor, and busted knuckles, for one change out.
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Swapping engines(M-blocks)
Matt that can be a real problem. In your post you were talking new cam......
Don't forget when changing the flexplate and flywheel to remove the pilot bearing, everything else a straight swap.
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Don't forget when changing the flexplate and flywheel to remove the pilot bearing, everything else a straight swap.
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Swapping engines(M-blocks)
Yea, I was just thinking cam. Then i was talking to another guy at work that was having the same oil pressure problem with his 78 351M, and he rebuilt his only to find out that his main bearings had a clearence of almost .05", which we all know is way too much. (the oil pressure problem is no pressure when the engine warms up).
The flywheel/flexplate isnt a big deal, we aren't putting an engine back into the other truck with the stick, so the fact that I don't know anything about cluthes shouldn't matter much there.
One question: When pulling the flywheel/flexplate, do you need any special tools to take them of/put them on? Should just be like 4 bolts right?
thanks,
Matt
The flywheel/flexplate isnt a big deal, we aren't putting an engine back into the other truck with the stick, so the fact that I don't know anything about cluthes shouldn't matter much there.
One question: When pulling the flywheel/flexplate, do you need any special tools to take them of/put them on? Should just be like 4 bolts right?
thanks,
Matt
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Swapping engines(M-blocks)
Matt I think all that you will need is a 13/16 socket. When you take the flywheel off the other engine, get the pilot bearing if want to use the torque converter in your automatic.
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
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Swapping engines(M-blocks)
It sounds like you know what you're doing, swapping the engines shouldn't be that hard. I swapped my '77 400-M with a 351-M in an unheated garage in the middle of winter by myself without any real trouble. While I had the engine on the stand I threw in new gaskets and seals too, it was cheap and keeps the engine a lot cleaner. Have Fun!