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06-23-2009 05:56 PM #1
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- Car Year, Make, Model: '51 Chevy Fleetline and a Ratrod project
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1978 351M decent for a daily driver?
I have been looking for a 4x4 F-150 for a while. just found a '78 in good shape for $1k.. new interior, current inspection ect.. has a 351M/ automatic.. I know the 351 and 400M's are generally boat anchors for performance, but would it be decent as a daily driver?You don't know what you've got til it's gone
Matt's 1951 Chevy Fleetline- Driver
1967 Ford Falcon- Sold
1930's styled hand built ratrod project
1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle Wolfsburg Edition- sold
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06-23-2009 05:59 PM #2
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- Car Year, Make, Model: 57 RANCHERO
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With good maint those engines run forever. Don't know about the driveline though.
It's 31 yrs oldA Ranchero is NOT an El Camino 
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06-23-2009 06:03 PM #3
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- Car Year, Make, Model: '51 Chevy Fleetline and a Ratrod project
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I think it's a C6 trans, not sure thoYou don't know what you've got til it's gone
Matt's 1951 Chevy Fleetline- Driver
1967 Ford Falcon- Sold
1930's styled hand built ratrod project
1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle Wolfsburg Edition- sold
-
06-23-2009 06:38 PM #4
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351M is nothing to get excited about, but they will do for a 4X4 driver. A little thirsty.
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06-23-2009 06:56 PM #5
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- Zephyrhills, Florida, USA
- Car Year, Make, Model: '32 Henway
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Yeah, what Pope said. Do a complete tune-up and live with it.
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06-23-2009 08:01 PM #6
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- Car Year, Make, Model: '27 ford/'39 dodge/ '23 t
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Like Denny I had a 79 T Bird with a 400M in it. Had no problems to speak of outside of normal car stuff. As hop up engines parts are a little scarce, but as a DD they are fine.
Don
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06-23-2009 08:18 PM #7
CHR Member
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- Car Year, Make, Model: '51 Chevy Fleetline and a Ratrod project
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cool.. yea, I knew they wern't good motors for performance and that they can be a little thirsty, just didn't know about the reliability part of it but it sounds like there reliable.. and it's a pretty nice truckYou don't know what you've got til it's gone
Matt's 1951 Chevy Fleetline- Driver
1967 Ford Falcon- Sold
1930's styled hand built ratrod project
1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle Wolfsburg Edition- sold
-
06-23-2009 08:50 PM #8
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- Car Year, Make, Model: 67 Mstg cpe , 37 Ford Coupe
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Dad had a 75 Gran Torino with the 351 M that thing ran great down the road . I drove the dog snot out of it for a long time . He traded it in 83 and never had any mechanical problems one . It had over 70 K when it went in and ran as good as day one .
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07-07-2009 07:42 PM #9
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- Car Year, Make, Model: 2006,ford,f-150,v-6,5-speed manual
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most of the engines during this era generaly have the timing retarted at the timing chain install a aftermarket timing set that has key ways for advance,retard,straight up. set it at straight up you will notice a increase in power.does it have a 2vv carb on it if so get rid of that,they are bad news. if you do not have emissions inspections,if you do .do not touch the carb.
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08-16-2009 03:55 PM #10
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X2 on the cam timing etc. If you ever build it you can convert it to a 400 easily. the 4" stroke of the 400 can make gobs of torque.
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08-16-2009 04:40 PM #11
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- Car Year, Make, Model: 64 Vette
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- 351
I had a 79 Ranchero with the 351M in it back in the day. I thought it was a good car. Mileage wasn't bad if I kept my foot out of it. 4x4 isn't going to help the mileage though.
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08-16-2009 05:42 PM #12
CHR Member
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- Car Year, Make, Model: '51 Chevy Fleetline and a Ratrod project
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Ended up passing on that deal,it was good and all but couldn't justify the MPG loss.. so I'm working on converting my '98 Ranger front end to a 2001-2003 Ranger front end.. brighter headlights, little better looks. also going to run a painted valance with factory Fog lights. but it'll still get 30 MPG.. I'll just live w/o 4x4You don't know what you've got til it's gone
Matt's 1951 Chevy Fleetline- Driver
1967 Ford Falcon- Sold
1930's styled hand built ratrod project
1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle Wolfsburg Edition- sold
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