what is the difference between a 351w and 351m. I found a 1979 351m for 300$. It runs well. would a 1979 351m be a good choice to put in a maverick? and how muck horses could i get out of this engine. would i need to upgrade my c-4 tranny? or CUT SHOCK TOWERS? there has to be a difference in these engines.
the M is kind of a only child it has head simiular to a clevland but with MUCH larger chamber size if I'm not mistaken its alot wider than a windsor and as far as I know there isnt much aftermarket parts for them. Don't know much else other than l;ots of trucks and a few fullsize had them. I'm sure somebody here can tell you more Robb
M= bad choice for maverick, big and heavy 351W all the way!!! W is smaller, headers are trouble but not the worst thing 302 is the easiest!
What Eddie said! 351m may as well bump up to 400. But in Mav would go 302 or the 351 w stroked either engine. Plus the 351m or 400 use the larger pattern for tranny. They are making more stuff but limited engine bay on Mavericks, stick with w engines. $300 bucks for that m is not all that good of a deal... just my thought
The M engine uses the same bolt pattern as a 429/460 for the transmission. They can make good power but IMO not worth it considering other options.
The 351-400m's are hybrids of the 351c, 460, and emission regulations. They share the Cleavland heads, most have bbf transmission pattern and smog pumps/2bl carbs. The 351m is just a de-stroked 400, with taller pistons to take up the space. My brother a 400m in his 75 ranchero, it seems pretty weak to me. I believe that they are just has wide as a 460. To get the power out of them, you will have to do LOTS of custom work and parts mix and match. I'm not saying it can't be done, i'm sure someone here has done it, but it would be much cheaper in the long run to go the 302/351w route. For your questions; you will have to change your c-4 unless the 351m has the sbf pattern (pretty rare), you will probably have to completely remove the shock towers to get it to fit (plugs are tight in a ranchero), HP will be proportional to the amount of money you spend. Popular hot rodding has had some entries in its engine masters challenge that used 400m blocks, but most consider them junk yard pigs. Maybe in a few years the after market will start making parts for these forgotten engines. I would wait for a 302/351w.
