351 or 400

project64 · Post by **project64** » February 24, 2010, 4:58 pm

I was talking to a buddy the other day and he told me he had a 351 and a 400 both mated to c6 trannys in some old 70's rancheros his dad had bought before he passed. Both will need to be gone through, but wich is easiest and cheapest to build power with. He said he would give them to me just not sure which would be the best choice. Let me know whatcha think. Oh, BTW im wanting to build it to about 500hp. Thanks

36truck · Post by **36truck** » February 24, 2010, 5:01 pm

What 351 is it C, M, W? The C,& W's are easier to get parts for. If it's a M it the same as a 400. They work just parts are not as plentiful. The 400 will get you closer to the 500 hp because of the cubes.

dwbr · Post by **dwbr** » February 24, 2010, 5:07 pm

i would go for the 351, if its a cleavland,, thats nice, then the windsor is a nice dependable motor, i would stay away from the 351m or that 400 m
those were the worste engines
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R Pope · Post by **R Pope** » February 24, 2010, 5:53 pm

Clevelands are very expensive to work on, and too "Peaky" for a truck. The 351M and 400 are dogs, Big as a 460 but no power. The M is the way to go.

project64 · Post by **project64** » February 24, 2010, 8:46 pm

WOW. You guys couldnt get more opposite. Now Im back to square one and still confused. I know what the C and W are, what is the M? Never heard of that. Also between the cleveland and windsor, Whats the difference? thanks

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » February 24, 2010, 9:07 pm

351W is a small block
351C, 351M and 400 are big blocks.
351C was used for only a few years in the early 70s. they are a bit rare and i have seen countless folks trying to sell 351M/400's as 351C so be careful.

personally i would use the 351M/400 only to anchor a boat. 429/460 share the same bolt pattern as the 351M/400 and are much easier to find performance upgrades for.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » February 25, 2010, 12:43 am

here's the difference
http://www.fordmuscle.com/members/archi ... dex2.shtml

What you can do with a 400.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engi ... index.html

Iceman is right. A 351M makes a great boat anchor. and not much else.

66fordtrucknut · Post by **66fordtrucknut** » February 25, 2010, 6:18 am

I hava a 351M in my 78' 150, it runs OK holds oil pressure. Tha truck is bone stock and will stay that way. The 78' F-350 has a 400 in it, running great so far. I've heard you can wake them up a bit. Theres some people who like but most don't. this is interesting though.
Charlie
http://www.projectbronco.com/Technical_ ... ild_up.htm

BarnieTrk · Post by **BarnieTrk** » February 25, 2010, 8:47 am

66fordtrucknut wrote:I hava a 351M in my 78' 150, it runs OK holds oil pressure. Tha truck is bone stock and will stay that way. The 78' F-350 has a 400 in it, running great so far. I've heard you can wake them up a bit. Theres some people who like but most don't. this is interesting though.
Charlie
http://www.projectbronco.com/Technical_ ... ild_up.htm

Charlie,
That is a cool and interesting article! Thanks for sharing it!

Project64,
Here is my

worth:
Because you want to get to 500HP, I'd agree with Johnny and the Iceman, and suggest you steer away from the other engines and locate a 429/460.

The 351-Cleveland was only put in cars, during '70-'74. That's why in many parts of the country, if you can find hot rod Cleveland parts, they won't be very cheap.

Sure, the 351M/400 engines were manufactured for more years than the Clevelands, but it really never became a very popular engine....hence, there wasn't and isn't many hot rod parts available for them.

Whereas, the 429 was put into LOTS of big Ford cars and trucks and the 460 was slipped into LOTS of Lincolns and trucks, so there are still lots of them around. They are easier to make 500HP from because there are LOTS of folks who made and are still making hot rod parts for them including FORD!

BarnieTrk

P.S.
Now if I was looking for a good and plenty-strong-enough (~320HP) engine for a work, RV or cruiser truck, I'd lean toward the 351M/400 engine....for the simple reason that I just don't see them anymore....and I like to make folks scratch their head & say, "What IS that?"

charliemccraney · Post by **charliemccraney** » February 25, 2010, 9:24 am

Dare to be different. Go with a 400M. You can easily get your 500hp, maybe not as cost effectively, though.

fseries · Post by **fseries** » February 25, 2010, 9:27 am

The articles above point out the 400 engines limitations and how to work around them. 500 hp from a 400 can be done as the article in HOT ROD above points out but , it will be expensive. 500 hp from a 460 might be easier and cheaper but then you have to find the engine and pay for it. You can't beat the price for your engine.

I have a 400 in a 78 4x4 250 super cab that was built by a previous owner. It will keep the 33's lit up through second gear. (no I don't have my foot on the brake!) But I still dont think it is pushing any more than 350-400 hp. What are you going to put your engine in?
How about those pictures...

project64 · Post by **project64** » February 25, 2010, 11:17 am

Thanks for all the good info fellas. The motor will be going into a 64 f100 swb that currently has a 223 I6 in it. My goal is to make a prostreet type truck out of it. Im too retarded to put pics of it on here sorry. LOL

66fordtrucknut · Post by **66fordtrucknut** » February 25, 2010, 5:30 pm

I'd keep the 223 myself, but I'm biased though.
Charlie

R Pope · Post by **R Pope** » February 25, 2010, 7:53 pm

Well, DAMN! I made a typo! I meant to say the 351 Windsor is the way to go, hit the M instead of the W! Sorry about that, the brain wasn't fully engaged, I guess.

R Pope · Post by **R Pope** » February 25, 2010, 7:55 pm

BTW, I'm putting a 351 Windsor in my '66 Slick, hooked to an M5 trans.

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » February 25, 2010, 11:31 pm

You can use the 400 with good results. I would put a set of the Aussie 351C two v heads. They really wake up a 400. Beyond that you will have to decide on intake manifold, ignition, cam, fuel system, etc.
Sounds like a fun project.
Good luck,