DarkNite

I have a 91 F150 4x4 EFI. The motor thats in it is a 302 HO that came from an 86 (I think) Mustang. After this hunting season it has to be pulled and gone through. I want to add some HP to it while its out, cam and heads. Here is my dilema. I think I can get my hands on a 351 Modified out of a 78 F150.

So I have 2 questions here:

1. What is the best route to go with the motor situation? Stay with the 302 and build it up some or go with the 351M (if its even compatable) and go through it.

2. The E40D tranny is horrible in it. I have had it rebuilt 2 times already and it still sucks. Off the top of your head what is the best option with either of these motor set ups?

Thanks!

N566J

I'd say stick with a Windsor over a modified if you want aftermarket, but I'm not much of an engine builder so.

The E4OD is a pretty good tranny, I think people rebuild them with parts from later years because of the fact they were way better after something like 1992. They used them for Powerstrokes, they are tough transmissions.

ymeski56

Keep it simple! stick w/ a moderate/sensible build on the 302 HO. The 351's a dog comparatively, although it's hard to replace displacement. Depends on what you want it to do well when your done w/ it. Pull a trailer, or dart through traffic?

It's a common mistake for people to build an engine that ends up not coming alive till knocking on the door of 3k rpm. Makes for a sh!tty, problematic daily driver!

The word "Rebuilt" when describing a transmission put's the fear of God in me! Never done well w/ em. That's why I Transtuned my 87' & switched to synthetic tranny fluid as soon as I got my 87'. Owner servicing negligence is by far the #1 transmission killer.

I suppose if you find an obsessively perfectionistic SOB that really knows his ****, you may fair ok w/ a rebuilt tranny. Good luck w/ finding one! Most Tranny shops have a "good enough" additude, & that does not translate into longevity!

Personally (w/ the 11+ Ford's I've owned), rebuilt transmissions have worked out the best for me in the past, when I sell the truck immediately afterwards, using the "fresh rebuild" as a selling point! Some people actually like seeing that in a prospective used truck purchase. Go figure!

Pushin those meats you have on there probably don't help! They're better suited for a manual shift. Those weren't figured into the equation when your transmission was being designed!

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

I'm not sure, but I don't think the 351M will bolt to the 302 bellhousing. I'm with you Ymeski, I've never had a rebuilt transmission last more than a year. I'll take a junkyard one over rebuilt anyday. Why can't rebuild shops make it last as long as the factory can?

ymeski56

Not sure. I'm a Commercial Machine Tech, but after seeing a couple of exploded parts diagrams, I decided to never crack a case myself! I'm guessing out of tolarance componants that are not economical or practical to replace, so they remain to beat the h*ll out of the replaced stuff! They really are an under-appreciated engineering marvel.......till they pooch!

dr_bowtie

the 351/400M uses an Intermediate bellhousing....it dont fit anything but the 351M, 400M and 351C....

DarkNite

Great info here guys.

Ok so dr bowtie, if the 351M wont match the E40D bell housing what is a tranny option for it that would fit my application.

Ymeski56, your right. Those tires are rough on the tranny, really the whole truck. So sticking with the 302 and doing a moderate build whats, in your opinion, the best option to go with the tranny? I have had 2 different shops rebuild it and it didnt last very long after either of them. Just dont want to dump another chunk of change like that for it to last 1 year...I need a better fix. As you can tell its not a daily driver so it only gets about 500 hard road miles a year and maybe another 500 dirt road miles a year, but it is pushing those 38's so they are all hard miles.

Once again, thanks for the info guys.

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

I don't like the electronic trannies either. I'd go with the AOD if you want overdrive or the C6 without.

DarkNite

Some quick searching shows that the AOD is fairly similar to the E40d. I read about a "kit" that I one could buy to match everything up, is that correct? I also reas some differnt opinions as to it fitting a 4x4 and the computer and the AODe was tossed into the mix. Can you clarify what I was reading? Thanks

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

Whatever tranny you get it will need to be a 4wd tranny. The C6 and AOD are both not computer controlled, making it easier to swap them in.