360 vs 351M - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

09-30-2003, 03:48

Howdy!

I have the opportunity to get a 360 v8 out of a '76 F150. Don't know if there is anything wrong with it. From my understanding, the shifting mechanisim(sp?) went out, and the guy drug it to his pasture and left it there for a couple of years.

My question is this: For building a street/strip engine which would be the better engine, the 360 or the 351M/400. I have a buddy at work that told me if I get the 360 he would sell me a set of heads allready ported and polished (2V), and a Holly 4bbl intake, for $100. I guess I'm looking for a collective opinion here on which is the better engine, as far as obtaining HP and all that.

TIA

Rock on, Rock steady, and Roll Ford

351w · 09-30-2003, 18:21

well a 360 should work fine if it is put together with the right parts but where i live those parts are harder to come by than a 351 or 400 parts.
as for building a street strip i wouldnt recommend (2v) heads and a 4bbl carb. look for a set of (4v) heads to go with the 4bbl carb or aftermarket heads. even a ported (4v) head will not flow as much as an aftermarket head. and your goal for street strip is to move as much air through as possible.
i have a set of windsor Jr heads on my 351w and they flowed 2x more air than the stock (4v) before i ported them.
in my opinion a ported 2v head will give you nice torque and power at lower rpm's but will fall off sharply at higher rpm.
if your buddy wants to sell a holley intake and a set of 2v heads for $100 take um and resell um.

89F150 · 09-30-2003, 23:21

I dont think the 351m engines were built for street racing. More like for trucks that want to pull.
Just for some reading
http://home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250...history03.html

Was the 360 stopped in 76?

351w · 10-01-2003, 19:43

hey 89, whats the name of that site about engine history
do they have anything about parts interchange for 351 w.

actually i guess not because it seems to be M block specific so what other sites do you know that have input on the 351w.

89F150 · 10-01-2003, 23:19

I'll have to cehck my favourites list when i get home

89F150 · 10-02-2003, 01:02

Hey Bud
I hope these help
http://www.fast351.com/tech/351w.htm
http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/351.html

Take Care
Aaron

'92BigBronco · 10-02-2003, 09:14

Yeah, go with the 360 if parts are readily available in your area. The FE blocks are very strong and make good power. You can also up the displacement of the 360 by using a 390 or a 427 crank and rods as they are the same block.

351w · 10-02-2003, 21:35

yea 89 i see a couple interesting things there and also i bought myself a whole book about parts interchange so now all i got to do is find time to look through it.
why i asked is this.
i am starting to feel left out and thinking about converting to a 302 but am not sure what parts i will need to buy for the 302 build-up.
alot of my 351 stuff will work but i am finding that several pieces will not.
right now all i have is a stripped 302 block with a crank and rods and pistons. got it as a FREEBIE

89F150 · 10-04-2003, 02:50

Why are you thinking of going to the 302? people usually go the other way.

351w · 10-04-2003, 22:32

im thinkin about sellin the truck and getting somethin newer and if i do i dont want the engine to go with the truck.
i would either keep it because of all the money and parts on it or my friend has a mustang and wants to soup it up so possably sell it to him.