Engine Build Help

[stowe44]

ok im in a dilema. iam planning to build or restore aold ford motor to possible go in the f-150 and i came across 2 with pros and cons for each. i need some new opinions there is a 1979 351m with 2200000 kms on it for $350 obo or a 1978 351 windsor for $500 obo. Any older guy these days would tell me to get the M becuase they beleive small blocks are garbage. but any younger guy i have talked to are saying they are building the windsors wild very easily.. with the loads of performance options which arent there for the M. Please someone help me outt!!!!

[Colorado Osprey]

Modified in my circles were nicknamed "Petrified" like an old piece of wood.

The Windsor is basically a small block with a taller deck so there are tons of add ons and aftermarket parts that will fit a 302 and 351W with the exception of the intake manifold and distributor. This means there are almost as many high persormance parts as for the small block Chevy.

I have built a 351W with 11:1 pistons, Holland & Sharp roller rockers, complete BIG Comp Cam roller valve train set up, larger valves (so large that cannot not even put in hardened valve seats), MSD with MSD distributor, Victor JR intake, Holley Commander 950 fuel injection.

On pure motor it was dino'd at 530hp.

This is a small block that thinks it's a big block.
It has since also had a NOS powershot added... but no dino numbers.

[Matts ford]

go with the windsor. you can do alot more on a build up. but another option is look out for a police interceptor with a 351 cleveland. my dad built up a 351 cleveland special. he had 3.73 gears. built c6 auto. 36" mud terrain tires. that truck was a 79 f250 that weighed 6300 lbs with him in the seat and the truck ran in the low 13s in the quarter mile. plus he was getting 16mpg on the highway when he was taking it easy.

[stowe44]

Yeah there is plenty out for the windsor. but heard there is a comparable amount with the M becuase of the interchangability(not sure if thats a real word or something i made up) with the 351C and the 400M. to make this question easier. what would make more horsepower or be overall faster ina street car with about $1000 worth of goodies for each?

[Matts ford]

well big blocks will leave the line faster but small blocks can hold right with them. plus small blocks are cheaper to build.

[96BigRed]

i dont know much about the 351 Ms but my 79 400 M and the 400 is weak and gutless and probably the worst truck motor i have ever come across the 351 is as solid as a rock ive had the Windsor in a truck and a car and they had more power than my 302 and the 400.

[po1911]

I had a stock 351m 400b in a 77 t-bird it was the most gutless pos ever, I wound up ripping it out and dropping in a mildly built 351c and it was outrunning cars that my friends had that I saw nuthin but tail lights from before. 351m is a over emmisioned power starved low compression nightmare if you want better economy get a m, if you want to have a little pep in your step go for a c or w

[PKRWUD]

The 351M makes a great boat anchor. Other than that....

[stowe44]

well thanks for the help but. waited a week until my next payday.. looked on the site where i found both of them.. both gone.. it ruined my day. i'm gunna keep my eyes peeled for some other deals on a windor or cleavalnd.. thanks again guys.