351m rebuild

I am rebuilding a 351m in a 79 f150 4x4. I would appreciate suggestions on best combinations ( cam,4bbl carb,intake,ignition,ect..).

I have done a few just like that, 400's and 351M's respond well enough (although dont forget a 460 is almost a bolt in)

I'd go with a cam between 214-220 degrees @ .050. A set of headers, a nice set of 2 1/2 inch duals, and a Performer intake with a 600 of any flavor. Run a little more initial advance and you'll think your truck is a hot rod compared to now.

Certainly not a drag combo, but you'll be amazed. Also be sure the cam is degreed to see that your timing gear and cam combo put it where its supposed to be. Any big port small block needs as much advance at the cam as they can handle, last thing you want to do is retard the cam by accident.

Here is a link to a Hot Rod magazine build up on a 400 that is pretty good. http://www.geocities.com/styleline58/400.html

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ifergusson on 3/17/04 9:50pm ]</font>

Thanks a million, these are what I was looking for. Any other suggestions will be appreciated

If you have a 351M, it's the cheapest stroker in the world to build. Being you'll need new pistons anyway, might as well stick a 400 crank in it to get an extra 49 inches of stroke.

You won't notice much (if any) differance in economy, but the torque pays off, big time. I'd NEVER build another 'stock' 351M when a 400 is so cheap and easy to make.

You can run a Edelbrock Performer Package which works OK, but a Weiand Action Plus and Compcams 268 is even better. A 600 is a little small for either engine, Clevelands seem to prefer a 750 in my experience (and my carb on my 408 is even bigger).

I'd stay with a 650 vacuum secondary on the small side, up to a 750 max.

Use a aftermaket timing change, otherwise you'll be stuck with the 'retarded' cam setting, killing milage and power. Getting your compression to 9 or 9.5:1 will also make a difference.

About any good header will work, along with a 2.25-2.5 (which is about the max you can run between the frame and drivers side transfercase anyway) with a set of decent muffflers will be fine.

You can also find some older intakes for these (even a few single planes) but you really need to know what you're buying so it'll work with the rest of your engine. Otherwise just stick with the Edelbrock Performer or Weiand Action Plus.

Get the heads cleaned up a little with a mild port and polish (like removing the bumps in the chamber), and gasket match if you have the funds.

My 408 runs WELL, but it's far from mild (and expensive to build the way I did). I could have built a 472 for less money, but I didn't want one. Still don't.

I've got a big carb, high compression, big headers, big cam, loose converter, ect... and it's not exactly idea to run doped up 93 on the street.

If you build your engine right, and keep your foot out of it, 10-14mpg shouldn't be a problem, if you built if like mine (with the gears to match) 9mpg is about the best you'll hope for.

I don't know what trans or tires you'll be running, but gearing is VERY important with these trucks. Like if you have 3.50 gears and 33's, it gives you a 3.00 ratio, when 4.10s with 33s will work way better. I have 4.88s, but it's not as low as it sounds with 35 inch tires.

For ignition, scrap the stock duraspark setup for pretty much anything else. It's almost impossible to get the advance dialed in right with those (even with the adjustable advance from Crane).

Again though, you need to figure out what you want to do with it before you decide which ignition you want to run.

I like the Jacobs Offroad setup, but will be swapping to a new MSD Digital 6 in a couple months, just to see what happens.

Roller rockers are also worth the money, again, just depending on how much you want to spend and what you want to get out of it.



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I would also stroke it too
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