351/400M Big Block Or Small block

[DeTowman]

but atleast you can admit it.
:beer:

The next time I'm leaving than little fan club alone they "know everything about nothing" & don't like east coasters!!! If you notice no one has made a reply to the last post of mine..Thanks again Aarron & Mike

[Formud]

Yes they do & it's just an opinion.. as I remember from Ford tech school the reason for the M series was the Cleveland had an oiling problem after about 50,000 miles if the owner did not change the oil regularly or changed different brands all the time the oil returns in the heads would sludge shut...Thus holding the oil in the topend....Ford knew of this problem & redesign it and they changed the name to the Modofied series....

I never knew that. I used to work on them years ago. What did they do to help fix the problem? If I remember right there wasn't much parts interchange between the two.
I could swear there was a 400M.

[DeTowman]

I never knew that. I used to work on them years ago. What did they do to help fix the problem? If I remember right there wasn't much parts interchange between the two.
I could swear there was a 400M.

Moved the oil returns & made them larger...but they didn't move them much, but enough that u couldn't interchange anything. I always thought it was the 351/400 modified myself..

[josephitguy]

Moved the oil returns & made them larger...but they didn't move them much, but enough that u couldn't interchange anything. I always thought it was the 351/400 modified myself..

Yes there is a 400M it says whether it is a 351 or 400 on the original valve cover. The rods and the crank are different giving larger displacement for the 400 with shorter rods and longer stroke crank.
The heads are just like the Cleveland (Small Block). The bottom and bell housing (same pattern) is the same as the big block (460).
Yeah, Ford never "called" it a big block but it is the biggest engine in the 73 to 79 4x4 trucks, 460 never put in the 4wd, that is why you see the custom motor mounts for the 460s.
Now if you want to stick with the naming convention Ford used for engines, the M is for Milton, where the engine was manufactured. Just like Cleveland, and Windsor for where those engines were made, but Ford never said so.
I am a M engine fan, lots of torque, lots of parts, new valves because the factory ones get burnt, high volume oil pump to stop the low end knock, and a good cam to get the valve to open correctly and you have fixed the choked down engine that Ford had to make at the time, 1979 351M had 120hp from the factory to make the government happy, easily fixed. If you find a 1971 351M it had 11:1 compression and runs great!
:rebel:

[bucketobolts]

For more info try these sites:

http://www.fordcobraengines.com/Modified%20History.htm

http://www.projectbronco.com/

[Formud]

Yes there is a 400M it says whether it is a 351 or 400 on the original valve cover. The rods and the crank are different giving larger displacement for the 400 with shorter rods and longer stroke crank.
The heads are just like the Cleveland (Small Block).

Would it be possible to put a 400M, crank, rods and pistons in a 351M?
If so that would make a great rebuild. The longer stroke would give you real good low end toque, not to mention the bigger CID.

[bucketobolts]

Yes, The blocks are the same, so are the rods. The crank has a 4.000" stroke vs. the 3.500" stroke of the 351M. The pistons have a different compression height to make up the difference in the bore. If you are serious about building a 400, I suggest you contact Tim Meyer, http://www.tmeyerinc.com/ . He sell a great set of pistons to match the Aussie heads. I bought my heads and pistons from him last summer. Still haven't fired my motor yet but it should be a stout little mill. I have compared this motor to my 393W in my Bronco on the Desktop Dyno. Should make about about 100ftlbs more torque and about 75 more hp...on pump gas...

[johnpaulgolf]

Wow :notworthy: this thread is way above my head...but I'm studying and learning...thanks yall this stuff is good!!!:biggthumpup:

[Formud]

Yes, The blocks are the same, so are the rods. The crank has a 4.000" stroke vs. the 3.500" stroke of the 351M. The pistons have a different compression height to make up the difference in the bore. If you are serious about building a 400, I suggest you contact Tim Meyer, http://www.tmeyerinc.com/ . He sell a great set of pistons to match the Aussie heads. I bought my heads and pistons from him last summer. Still haven't fired my motor yet but it should be a stout little mill. I have compared this motor to my 393W in my Bronco on the Desktop Dyno. Should make about about 100ftlbs more torque and about 75 more hp...on pump gas...

I'm more of a Chevy guy when it comes to motors. Always did like the parts interchangeability (Plus when your poor always cheaper to build) But when it comes to truck motors (Low end torque) Ford motors are the best. One of the best towing/plowing trucks I've ever owned was a 87 F350 stakebody with a 460, 4spd. The last year for the carb. Used to pull 7000lb truck and trailer in fourth gear going up hill at 25MPH.
My second favorite would have to be the 300 in-line 6. Talk about run for ever.......Now I'm thinking I should go out and find an old Ford!!!upergrin:

[johnpaulgolf]

Talk about run for ever.......Now I'm thinking I should go out and find an old Ford!!!upergrin:

:biggthumpup:

We could possible get along!!:hysterical: