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What is a 351m
- Thread starter 68bucks
- Start date
68EFIvert
Well-Known Member
This is what I found at wikipedia.
When the 351 Cleveland was withdrawn after the end of the 1974 model year, Ford needed another engine in the 351 cubic inch (5.8 L) class, since production of the 351 Windsor was not sufficient and the 390 FE was being retired as well. To replace the 390, Ford took the 400 engine's tall-deck block and de-stroked it with the shorter throw crankshaft from the 351 Windsor, and taller pistons, to produce a 351 cubic inch (5.8 L) engine whose components were largely compatible with the 400. This engine was called the 351M and as a back-formation the taller-deck block became known as the M-block.
The M designation is commonly referred to “Modified�, and is derived from the use of both "Cleveland" (block, heads) and "Windsor" (crankshaft) components in the same engine, a modification for the parts' intended application, so to speak.
Another origin of the M designation may have come from where the engine blocks were cast. It follows the naming convention set forth by the 351C (Cleveland) cast at the Cleveland Foundry and 351W (Windsor) where the majority of the blocks were cast at the Windsor Casting Plant. From the introduction in the model year 1975, the 351M engine blocks (which are the same as the 400 engine block) were all produced at the Michigan Casting Center (MCC) in Flat Rock, MI or at the Cleveland Foundry (CF) also known as the Cleveland Casting Plant (CCP). To help distinguish it from the other two different 351s, the logical choice was to use the Michigan Casting Center, hence the “M� designation for 351 Michigan.
The 351 Cleveland had a well known, good reputation in the public. For a few of years after the introduction of the 351M, Ford marketing called the engine the "351 Cleveland". This led to confusion as to what 351 version was actually in the vehicle.
Later, car enthusiasts incorrectly referred to this engine as a "351 Midland" presumably a reference to Midland, Michigan, a city just northwest of Saginaw or reference to an iron foundry in Midland, Texas. But the Ford Motor Company never owned a “Midland� factory.
When the 351 Cleveland was withdrawn after the end of the 1974 model year, Ford needed another engine in the 351 cubic inch (5.8 L) class, since production of the 351 Windsor was not sufficient and the 390 FE was being retired as well. To replace the 390, Ford took the 400 engine's tall-deck block and de-stroked it with the shorter throw crankshaft from the 351 Windsor, and taller pistons, to produce a 351 cubic inch (5.8 L) engine whose components were largely compatible with the 400. This engine was called the 351M and as a back-formation the taller-deck block became known as the M-block.
The M designation is commonly referred to “Modified�, and is derived from the use of both "Cleveland" (block, heads) and "Windsor" (crankshaft) components in the same engine, a modification for the parts' intended application, so to speak.
Another origin of the M designation may have come from where the engine blocks were cast. It follows the naming convention set forth by the 351C (Cleveland) cast at the Cleveland Foundry and 351W (Windsor) where the majority of the blocks were cast at the Windsor Casting Plant. From the introduction in the model year 1975, the 351M engine blocks (which are the same as the 400 engine block) were all produced at the Michigan Casting Center (MCC) in Flat Rock, MI or at the Cleveland Foundry (CF) also known as the Cleveland Casting Plant (CCP). To help distinguish it from the other two different 351s, the logical choice was to use the Michigan Casting Center, hence the “M� designation for 351 Michigan.
The 351 Cleveland had a well known, good reputation in the public. For a few of years after the introduction of the 351M, Ford marketing called the engine the "351 Cleveland". This led to confusion as to what 351 version was actually in the vehicle.
Later, car enthusiasts incorrectly referred to this engine as a "351 Midland" presumably a reference to Midland, Michigan, a city just northwest of Saginaw or reference to an iron foundry in Midland, Texas. But the Ford Motor Company never owned a “Midland� factory.
daveSanborn
Active Member
Darreld did a great job, but let me give this one a try.....
No it doesn't and the problem is the engine is a low-powered smog era boat anchor.
ouch
blue65coupe
Well-Known Member
What they said.
sigtauenus
Active Member
I have one in my 78 F-150. Until I find a good economical retrofit for F-150s of a 5.8L with 4x4, I'll probably just end up putting in a 400 crank and rods in mine.
I have heard it referred to as both the 351 Midland, and the 351 Modified.
I had one in my '80 Bronco. It is a fantastic truck engine. I helped pull a dump truck out that was stuck in mud with that engine. It has tons of torque, but not much in HP, and there's basically no performance parts available for it.
After I rolled the '80 Bronco, I bought a '81 Bronco that had a 351w in it. It didn't have near the towing/pulling power of the 351m.
In other words, the 351m was a great truck motor, but would make for a LOUSY performance engine.
I had one in my '80 Bronco. It is a fantastic truck engine. I helped pull a dump truck out that was stuck in mud with that engine. It has tons of torque, but not much in HP, and there's basically no performance parts available for it.
After I rolled the '80 Bronco, I bought a '81 Bronco that had a 351w in it. It didn't have near the towing/pulling power of the 351m.
In other words, the 351m was a great truck motor, but would make for a LOUSY performance engine.
The 351m has a taller deck height (to accommodate the 4" stroke for 400 ci)and uses the big block bellhousing bolt pattern. it's intake is much wider than the cleveland, and uses 2v heads (not a bad street head). They are not traditionally recognized as good performance platforms.
tarafied1
Well-Known Member
If I can find my issue, Hot Rod did a build up of one and it made serious HP. They used adapters to allow Cleveland intakes. Most other Cleveland parts will work. The biggest drawback is the weight. That's one reason it makes a good truck motor, they can use the weight...