in order to put the 351m in my mav would i be able to use the 302 mounts or no and what would i have to change to make it car friendly? since its coming out of a truck also would i be able to use the 250 suspention or would i have to go with atleast the 302 suspention in the front? any help is greatly apreciated
I don't know what motor mounts you'll need (sorry), but the spring towers will have to be cut back & reinforced, and custom headers will also be required. Hood clearance may be a problem too, but I don't know for sure..
thanks im not realy worried about hood clearance if i have to i'll cut the hood and put a scoop on since my hood isnt the greatest anyway and its not a grabber hood
My personal opinion...forget the 351 and go with a 302 unless you just love misery and problems. This is not going to be a fun project and nothing is going to just fall right in. I can only say good luck if you decide to stay with that idea.
Ray is right, you can make it fit but its gona be a real headache...If you want more power go 302 or even 351w...my $.02...Jim
My experience is a 351M is a piece of crap engine. My grandpa's 78' Bronco XLT has one, and it has been nothing but trouble since he got it back in the early 80's. You would be way better off to go with a 302 or 351W
the 351M has a great rod/stroke ratio...but that's about all it has that's good. They never had more than 170 HP factory, frequently cracked heads, they're as wide as a 460 and nearly as tall....nearly as heavy as well. To make it fit in a Maverick you're gonna have to completely remove the towers and rework the entire front suspension. If you MUST have a 351M, junk the factory crank and pistons in favor of the 400 crank and pistons. The rods are the same. Mounts will be custom, a C4 won't work unless you can find a 429/460 bellhousing (or a 400 bellhousing from a super rare '73 LTD with a 400/C4), the hood will never fit with that tall engine (big scoop) and the front suspension had better have some stiff springs as these things weigh close to 650 lbs. Not trying to talk you out of it, by all means...........go for it if you have the money/time/place to do it. It will be different for sure.
thanks for the opinions i was thinking of not doing it because i dont want to mess with the towers after the info i think i will scratch the idea thanks
The 302 or an old 289 or 260 is the only V8 that will fit without engine bay modifications. That is an easy swap. If you find a 289 or a 260, be careful about the number of bolts on the bellhousing. They changed in the mid 60's on the 289 and earlier ones are a bit more difficult to find bellhousings for. Find a motor and post what you have found. Good luck. Seth
