I have 2 trucks, one with a 360 and one with a 351m. Just wondering which engine should I go with? I am leaning towards the 351m. Seems to be able to find more aftermarket parts for it. The 360 doesn't seem to be as popular in the aftermarket. Also I have a four speed with the 351m and am wondering if a c4 or a c6 would bolt up? The four speed has bull low for first gear and I will be doing mostly highway driving. I think if I go auto I will be putting in lower rear end gears aswell. Anyones imput/advice would be great.

 

Go with the 351.
I had a 360 in my '73 and it would run like hell but would suck gas. I don't think there is a 4bbl. manifold for them either.
Build a bad *** 351 you'll be happy.

 

A 351M-C6-ford 9" rear end would be a pretty good drivetrain from two standpoints, power and durability.

You can build good power in those engines reliably, and the C6 and 9" will handle it easily.

 

The 351m/400 engine is by far less demanding on a persons experience to work on. I have a 360/390 with a C-6 and it is horrible on gas, but I'm not saying the 351M/400 is any better. The 360/390 did come with 4 barrel carbs, so that is an option. As I commented on earlier, if you are new to twisting wrenches, the 351M/400 engine is sweet and very forgiving to work on. According to others they make great boat anchors.

 

Thanks guys. I was kinda leaning the way "postal" said. I was thinking of ordering an easy kit from jegs for the motor: http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/2171PK/10001/-1
Along with headers and true dual exhaust this engine should breathe a little easier. With the c-6 instead of my 4 speed I should be able to go with 3.73 in the rear end and have a good reliable daily driver... right? As far as my wrenching experience... I don't have alot of in depth on engines or transmissions. But being a machinist helps to understand technical manuals and drawings. Like a friend of mine says all the time. "If it's man made, man can fix it." Hopefully I can lean on you guys for some advice from time to time.

 

"If it's man made, man can fix it." Thats what my father-in-law always said. He was a strong influence on me. My father, a machinist also, could recite the decimals in 64ths of an inch, and he only had a third grade education, can anyone do that today with out a computor?

I'm sure you could handle either engine, what ever your choice, remember one thing, A big block Ford is an awseome machine with stats to back it up.

 

Bill how'd you get a 4bbl. on your 360? or is a 390?

no intention of stealing this thread...just curious.

 

From what I understand the 390 intake will swap out onto the 360 with a little machine work to make the deck height right. Might be wrong though.

 

all i gotta say is be sure to check the valley on the 351m/400. its a very common problem and I went through 4 of them while at the machine shop.

 

Check it for cracks? Check it for what?