Lsballa

(Updated Thread Title)

I just recently inhareted a 1978 F150 with I am told a 351 cleavland. It was used as a farm truck. Was parked for several years. I went in rebuilt the carb and replaced the starter. New exaust. Starts better than my 2005. It is smoking from the driver side. I was told to try putting in some Rislone oil treatment. To help with leaky valves. any idea's?

NGM

That might help, but you might want to also put in a can of Restore. That stuff is awsome.

transmaster

Did you soak down the bores with something like diesel fuel, SeaFoam, Marvel Mystery Oil before you started it?. Sitting this long it is possiable to snap stuck rings causing big time smoking and bore damage. You might entertain getting another engine for it. The 1978 model year had three engines available, The 300 I6, 351C, and the 385 Lima engine. The 385 was a large block engine, the 385, 429, and 460 are of the same family. I am not a big fan of the 351 Cleveland engine, and for God's sake don't touch the Ford 360 it is a total dog!!!!!!!!!. I think the above large block engines are some the best V8's Ford ever made. If you want a good driver with an engine that with good care will go 300,000+ miles get the 300 I6. One of the reasons for it's long life is the gear driven cam, you don't have a timing chain wearing out like a V8.

Below is the 429 Cobra (Lima) V8

Lsballa

Yea well the truck was running when I got it. The guy said he had used Seafoam and Diesel. Im just looking for something to tinker with.. Not an everyday driver. Trying to learn me sumtin...

transmaster

That's the way to do it

Lsballa

Vin States that it has a 351 M in it. What does the M Stand for?

NGM

M= modified. That is a 351 modified 400. That is a junk motor. Take it out and put in a good big block motor. Or change the transmission and motor and put in a 351w motor.

Lsballa

Well thats no good! I am total new to motors but am trying to learn i think i am going to go with a yellow paint job on it.... just getting my dreams out. O well cant beat a free truck. It has a strait body on it and no signs of bondo so i think i lucked out. Only problem is the bed has some rust where water sat in it upnext to the cab.

NGM

A cleavland would have been a good find. A modified is junk. If I am not mistaken a 460 will drop right in there. Maybe someone else will chime in and tell me if I am right.

Good old Bill

If you want to tinker the 351M is about as simple an engine as there was every built. A real good beginners engine. Remove the valve cover and look at the valve springs. Actually, look thru the coils at the seals around the valve stems. They were called umbrellas and made of hard plastic. Most likely they are brittle and have broken into pieces. If you are interested in changing them, use later model 302 soft rubber ones. A good engine shop should be able to help set you up with the right ones. Get back to us. I think it was NGM who said the 351M is junk. He is not wrong. That engine is sweet to work on for mechanics, but that is all. As you look and learn engines, pay close attention to the cooling system. No water in the intake manifold. Very unusual.