1976 Ford Ranger XLT

[thtniggey]

I have a 1976 ford Ranger XLT with a 351 frozen motor in it. I need to know if a 1985 351 would match up with the trans bolts and the motor mounts in my truck?

 

[Evan's f250]

Are you sure its not a 360/390? But either way, no the 1985 351 is most likely a windsor, it will not bolt up.

I would check first to see if it really is a 351m

A 351 windsor is small block bell housing, 351m and 360/390 are all big block bell housings.

360/390 and 351m use diff motor mounts also, so you nd to figure out which one it actuallyl is.

if yours has a 351m, the only motor that will bolt up with no problems is 351m and 400

 

[LEB Ben]

Don makes valid points...originally, your trucks should have had a 360 in it (I'm assuming 4x4). That said a 351M and FE won't have the same bell pattern. The 85 351 is probably of the Windsor flavor, and as Don said, will have the sb pattern, and won't bolt up. Easiest way to determine what you have is by counting the valve cover bolts. a 351M/400 will have 8, the 302/351W will have 6 and a 360/390 will have 5. If your truck is a 2wd or had an engine swap a 429/460 will have 7 bolts.

 

[thtniggey]

I will definetly count the valve cover bolts and let you know so you can tell me what you think. The motor in there now is definetly a 351 i just dont know of what family. Windsor, cleveland, (etc)

 

[Mil1ion]

351M's and 351C's had a dry intake meaning the T-stat housing attached to the block
The 351W has a wet intake because coolant flows through the intake with the T-stat housing mounted to it.

 

[thtniggey]

There are 8 bolts on the valve cover and the other 351 is out of A 1989 ford truck i dont know if that makes a difference

 

[Mil1ion]

How many valve cover bolts on the one in the 89?

I bet there aren't 8 which means it's a 351 windsor like the others said

 

[thtniggey]

If there are 8 does that mean it will match up? And if its a windsor its a sbf? correct?

 

[Mil1ion]

Yes and Yes

 

[Evan's f250]

There are 8 bolts on the valve cover and the other 351 is out of A 1989 ford truck i dont know if that makes a difference

Well, if the motor out of the 89 is original, I can tell you its not a 351m, 351m was retired in the early 80's.

Of course, the engine in your 76 isnt original, so the one in the 89 may be the same way.

Why not get some 360/390 frame pads and motor mounts and put in the original engine that wouldve been in yours(360/390)? Just a thought

 

[Truckin4life]

Make sure you've got a windsor. The intake will also have the thermostat housing bolted to it. If that is the case its a windsor and all the windsors share the same bell housing, no matter the year....

 

[thtniggey]

Will a 360/390 bolt up to the trans thats in the truck now? And thanks for all your help!

 

[LEB Ben]

Will a 360/390 bolt up to the trans thats in the truck now? And thanks for all your help!

Here ya go..........

Don makes valid points...originally, your trucks should have had a 360 in it (I'm assuming 4x4). That said a 351M and FE won't have the same bell pattern. The 85 351 is probably of the Windsor flavor, and as Don said, will have the sb pattern, and won't bolt up. Easiest way to determine what you have is by counting the valve cover bolts. a 351M/400 will have 8, the 302/351W will have 6 and a 360/390 will have 5. If your truck is a 2wd or had an engine swap a 429/460 will have 7 bolts.

 

[thtniggey]

But would the the trans that the 351 is on be able to bolt onto a 360?

 

[blacksnapon]

But would the the trans that the 351 is on be able to bolt onto a 360?

Read post #13 ONE MORE TIME!

 

[Mil1ion]

NO......

The 351W is 90* block

while the 352/360/390/427/428 are part of the FE Family
289/302/351W's have their own bolt special pattern
as do the FE Family but some FE's were mated to C4's and some C6's


Because the C6 is a great trans Ford in 1977 made it so the C6 used on 460's could be mated to the 351M/400 block by using the larger bolt pattern.

the FMX trans was also used on 351M's and 400's in cars.

 

[Evan's f250]

May be much easier for you to just find a good running 351m or 400. (bascially the same engine, other than pistons and crank) But, 400's do have 40 hp or so more than a 351m(according to stock specs I've seen in the past)

You would be getting into too much work effort trying to put a diff family engine in it,when u could drop the 351m/400 IMO.

If you wanted it original, u could go 360/390, which would be easier than going 351w. IMO

You could find a 351m/400 easy, they came in many 1970's rancheros and most 4x4 1977-79 pickups, still quite a few came in 80/81 pickups also.

u would need 4x4 oil pan if u got it out of 2wd, if yours is 4x4

 

[Mil1ion]

351M= 128 HP
400 = 140 HP

Get the 400 is it a long stroke and develops more torque than the 351M and you run it at a lower RPM to conserve fuel.

Better yet find a 300 I6 and put that it. It should bolt up to the 302/351W transmission

 

[thtniggey]

I will look for a 400 and let you know how it goes HAHA but thanks for your help!

 

[LEB Ben]

^^^Where are you located???? I might be able to put you on a couple that are too far for me.