351 motor from 78 T-bird

A customer of mine is giving me a 78 T-bird with a 351 engine. It hasn't run in 4 years (when she leased a new Caddy. The T-bird back window is marked Diamond Limited Edition.

Can anybody tell me if this is a Windsor or Cleavland motor, and what trabsmission is in it? The door plate code for the trans is "X", but I don't know where to look that up.

As always, any help is appreciated.
Grant

 

In that car it would be a Windsor.

But to satisfy yourself for sure check this

If the thermostat housing is bolted to the Block its a Cleveland

If its bolted to the intake manifold its a windsor

 

he probley got that info. from his buddy olin. he was at the meet sat. i hope most of ya'll got to meet him. he knows his ford stuff....frank...

 

Thanks M.A.V.! I'll look in the morning.

Any guess on the tranny? C-4, C-6, or AOD on this car?

Grant

 

I'd guess a windsor. Either that or a Modified ( 351M ) which is basically a tall-deck cleveland, or destroked 400. 400's are good motors, no matter who tells you what....they're so choked up from the factory they won't make more than 180 HP...but with headers, small cam, good intake & 750 carb, you can have a nearly 500 lb-ft 450 HP motor easily.

For the transmission, it's most likely either a C6 (if it's a windsor) or a FMX if it's a 351M. Yep...some came with FMX's. Never know, I've seen some with 460's in 'em too!

 

Did they put 351M's in those? if so, it could be one of those.

 

Hey guys, it's a 351M with a 4v carb.

Is there a website I can look up the physical dimensions of this motor? The height of the motor is important, as I don't want to modify the hood if I can avoid it.


Thanks!
Grant

 

I dont know for sure, but I doubt this motor will fit without serious modification. Especially if you want headers. While the M motors are not the best choice for alternate power, they can be made to be respectable at a reasonable cost. If you decide to go this route, I suggest you check out 2 Hot Rod issues. February and December 1998. There is a very good article about building one of these motors.

 

Thanks Mavaholic, I have pretty well eliminated this as a possibility.

I talked to a ford tech guy, and found out that the 351M was designed for a truck, but they decided to use it in heavy cars like the 78 T-Birds. There are very few aftermarket parts for it (compared to the 351W), so it's not a "first choice" for hot rodders.

I took a pass on the car, and I suggested she sell it on e-bay or donate it to a charity. I hate to see it junked, but somebody will discover it.

Grant

 

fyi If it was a factory 4v motor then it was not a 351m they never made a 4 barrel 351m-400.....

 

correct. A 4V 351m or 400 was not produced. Also, the 400's have a LOT of potential, and it has not been supported by the aftermarket, yet. They're as wide as a 460, almost as tall, but slightly shorter. Where a 400 will fit, a 460 will fit as well...in fact, it'll almost bolt in. There's a guy in our area that runs a 400 in a '96 Mustang body....and makes over 700 HP with iron heads. I have never seen it...or seen it run, just heard of it.