www.the351cforum.com

Hello everyone!

I am currently working on installing a rebuilt 351c into a 1977 Ford F-250 Highboy.

I love working on cars, but I am more of a body work and paint guy then I am a motor guy, and thus I need as much advice as I can get from you all!

Here's my situation. The truck currently has a blown 351 Modified engine, which I plan on removing next week. The transmission is still good though, and I'd prefer to leave it in the truck (Pull the engine, out, but leave the transmission) Is there any way I could leave the original transmission in the truck, and then marry my new 351c directly to it?

As I said, I do not have a lot of experience with this, and would love and appreciate any tips and advice you have to offer!

Thank you!

I believe the 351 m uses the same bellhousing as a 460 and a 351 c uses the small block bell so it wont work with the cleveland.

I read on a different website that each of different size ford motors fit with the same bell housing.....Can anyone shed some light on this?

If the truck has a 351M then your transmission has a Big Block bell housing- I'm guessing a C6 transmission and WILL NOT bolt to the 351 Cleveland. The 351M/400 engine shares the big block bell housing and motor mounts as a big block Ford. Im convinced Ford did this just to irritate people

In my opinion, rebuild your 351M with some good aftermarket pistons, deck the block, dont go crazy with your cam, put the Weiand aluminium intake on it with a 650 Holley and some headers and you will have all the torque you want.

Ford bell housings - 6 bolt "small block" - 289, 302, 351W, 351C. "385 big block" style - 351M, 400, 429, 460.
All will require a block plate between the ending and trans. For the 6 bolt types, you have 157 or 164 tooth flex plates which require different block plates to properly locate the starter. The trans bells will be different between the two types. AFAIK, all the "big block" stuff is 164 tooth.

_________________
Chris - Merkel, TX
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
"Owner built, owner abused."