1986 ford f-150- various questions

[85_Ranger4x4]

The 351M/400 is a completely different engine than a 302/351W. They took a 351C (which is also different), and made the deck taller to make the 400, and then destroked that to get the 351M.

To get the 351W they made deck taller on the 302 block and stroked it.

There are other differences too, but those are the biggies.

 

[reginald fairfield]

So what do you guys think, it sounds like the 351 modified is not really worth dicking with. I do like the pickup though, a 1980 f-150 single cab short bed step side with 4-wheel drive and a manual trans... Only 89,000 original miles too. Should I just wait and find one with a Windsor or Cleveland?

 

[Shran]

You never said anything about a stepside

If it's in good shape, I would buy that sucker in a heartbeat. My first truck was an '80 stepside, 300/6 2WD. I loved that thing. Seriously, go for it. Stepsides in good shape are pretty hard to come by.

 

[reginald fairfield]

Cool... I like them too, but the guy is pretty high on the price, he is asking 4,000 for it, that is a lot of damn money for a 30 yr old vehicle

 

[gotmudd]

that depends, what condition is the body in. is it full of bondo/rust? hows the drive train, is it tight? what about the interior? how does it run? those are all questions to consider.

 

[reginald fairfield]

Yeah, I have not seen the truck yet but he says it is in great shape. It must be for 4 G's. It is kinda far away though, I will have to wait awhile to get a chance to see it. Just trying to figure out if the 351 modified will be worth a damn first.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

351M is great if you want to burn a lot of gas and not get a whole lot done in the process.

On the plus side they have the same bellhousing boltpattern as a big block (or other engines with the big block bolt pattern like the 400, 429, 460...

 

[tanbuddy]

Huh, I always thought that the 351W was essentially a 302 block with a few differences. Probably just my mind going again

I had an '85 F150 for a while with a 351W...bought it off the rez for a couple hundred. It was one bitchin truck, but would only make left turns. Never did figure out what was wrong. It was supposed to be a parts truck but I decided to scrap it the last time I moved.

I had a 87 that only turned left, the frame was cracked around the steering box. Welding it and adding another front crossmember fixed that

 

[Shran]

Hmm, the frame was cracked around the steering box on mine too. That was probably the problem then. I didn't have a welder at the time and I didn't give a shit either...but now I kinda regret selling it, even though it was a rez truck. Mostly just because it was my favorite color combo - baby blue and white, man!

 

[Jimmeh]

Huh, I always thought that the 351W was essentially a 302 block with a few differences. Probably just my mind going again

I had an '85 F150 for a while with a 351W...bought it off the rez for a couple hundred. It was one bitchin truck, but would only make left turns. Never did figure out what was wrong. It was supposed to be a parts truck but I decided to scrap it the last time I moved.

They had the same bell housing bolt pattern as the 302. But, as far as I know, that's pretty much the main similarity. I could be wrong though.

I've been reading up more on both a lot lately. Not exactly sure why, though (hehehehehehe, actually, I know why.......)

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They had the same bell housing bolt pattern as the 302. But, as far as I know, that's pretty much the main similarity. I could be wrong though.

There are some parts that will interchange, but it is on a part by part basis.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The 300 was not fuel injected till 87, that 86 will be carbed.

Honestly, id keep the 300, there an awesome engine that will last forever, not the fastest thing around but they have a ton of torque.

If you really wanted to swap id go with a 351W, it'll bolt right in and Carburated ones are plentiful.

later,
Dustin

 

[reginald fairfield]

So are the 351 Windsors compatible with the 300 inline manual transmission by any chance? I hear good things about the 300 but I am looking more for a hotrod 4x4 to stomp on Euros and anything else that sounds like a busy bee.

I am still keeping an eye out for pickups too fyi, the original deal fell through cause the guy wanted way too much, plus it had the 351 M, which I really don't want to dick with... If only the bolt patterns were the same...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

A 351W will bolt right to the 300's tranny, the motor mounts may be (and probley are) different but the frames should be the same so just go the parts store and buy 351W mounts.

If you put a Cam, 4bbl, and some other goodies on that 300 you'll have plenty for dusting ricers light to light and still return mileage a 351W can only dream of.

Go to www.fordsix.com, they can help you out alot over there.

Theres one guy running a 300 in a rail car and turning 7 second 1/4 mile times.

later,
Dustin

 

[Will]

The 351M/400 is a completely different engine than a 302/351W. They took a 351C (which is also different), and made the deck taller to make the 400, and then destroked that to get the 351M.

To get the 351W they made deck taller on the 302 block and stroked it.

There are other differences too, but those are the biggies.

A 351M is a 400 block with a 351W crank in it. It was a make-up engine to cover the 351W while it was coming up to full production. It uses 400 rods and has stoopid tall pistons in it to make up the compression height. When I was a kid we had one in a wagon and when it was really damn cold (northern Iowa) the pistons would clunk around in the bores until it warmed up.

There are some 400s with small-block bell housing patterns, but only in early 1971 motors. I like the 400--great throttle response with that 4" stroke. It's also large enough to make decent power in a pickup. I like the 300-6 because it runs well at low rpms and is simple and effective, but it lacks torque and power so if pulling enthusiastically onto the interstate with 8,000# on your bumper is in the cards, I would look for a bigger motor. Like a 460.