[billyazprospector]

Hey all new to this forum, but i have a Ford motor in a boat I bought. The guy I had bought it from told me it was a Ford 427, well I know its not that now after ordering a new Distributor and it not fitting! Summit racing helped me figure it down to a 351 cleavland, 351 modified, 400 modified. I have gotten some numbers off of the intake manifold but it didnt seem to help. I tried to locate the block # but can't find it? Any help with any and all info on this would be appreciated

Billy

[Brian S]

351C/M/400 335 series: 8 bolts in rectangular valve covers. Timing chain housing is part of block. Thermostat housing on block. Exhaust bolt holes diagonal.
351M/400 335 series: intake is 12.7" wide the 351C is narrow.
351W/302/5.0L 6 bolts on trapezoidal valve covers. Thermostat housing on intake. Exhaust bolt holes horizontal.
429/460 385 series: 7 bolts in rectangular valve cover
352/360/390/427/428 FE series: Intake goes under valve covers.
-There are other indicators but these are enough to distinguish engine families.

There is no way to tell a 351M from a 400 externally. The most accurate way is to remove the oil pan and look at the crank.
400 Crankshaft ID.
http://www.tmeyerinc.com/400crankshaftid.html

[nitro_baller4692]

a cleveland has screw in freeze plugs.
a 427 or fe motor the valve covers seal up useing part of the intake were it meets the head.

[pmeisel]

Originally Posted by Brian S

351C/M/400 335 series: 8 bolts in rectangular valve covers. Timing chain housing is part of block. Thermostat housing on block. Exhaust bolt holes diagonal.
351M/400 335 series: intake is 12.7" wide the 351C is narrow.
351W/302/5.0L 6 bolts on trapezoidal valve covers. Thermostat housing on intake. Exhaust bolt holes horizontal.
429/460 385 series: 7 bolts in rectangular valve cover
352/360/390/427/428 FE series: Intake goes under valve covers.
-There are other indicators but these are enough to distinguish engine families.

There is no way to tell a 351M from a 400 externally. The most accurate way is to remove the oil pan and look at the crank.
400 Crankshaft ID.
http://www.tmeyerinc.com/400crankshaftid.html

Well summarized, I copied this into the wiki as a new article. If anyone has some other good identifiers we can add them.

[66GMC]

Originally Posted by pmeisel

Well summarized, I copied this into the wiki as a new article. If anyone has some other good identifiers we can add them.

Most Ford engines in the 60's & 70's had an ID tag under the coil. (as long as it hasn't been removed and discarded.)

351C/M/400 (335-series)fuel pump bolts are vertical, horizontal on everything else.
335/385 series all had canted valves.

FE intakes: If you get a hernia lifting the cast-iron intake manifold, you know for sure it's an FE.

Nitro_baller said 351C has screw-in frost plugs.
I don't think so. I'm pretty sure that Boss 302 was the only one that had screw-ins.

Actually, here is a link that I had in my "Favorites":Ford Engines
It has all kinds of indentifying information.

[nitro_baller4692]

Nitro_baller said 351C has screw-in frost plugs.
I don't think so. I'm pretty sure that Boss 302 was the only one that had screw-ins.

your right my bad.

[billyazprospector]

well so far i have narrowed it down, there is no id tag below the coil> that is gone. all i need now is to figure out is it a 351c/m/400m? how do i do this?


thanks again all
Billy

[pmeisel]

Originally Posted by billyazprospector

well so far i have narrowed it down, there is no id tag below the coil> that is gone. all i need now is to figure out is it a 351c/m/400m? how do i do this?


thanks again all
Billy

Re-read the above -- measure the intake to find out if it is a 351C or a 351M/400. Then, if it is not a Cleveland, you will have to check the crank... or else pull the heads and turn it to measure the stroke.

[TMF]

Regardless, the same distributor fits 351C, 351M, 400, 429 and 460 motors.

Cheers!

John

[crazy larry]

imo, i think you ought to see about getting some purchase price back..... even if it's a 351C, it still isn't worth as much as a 427. I hope you didn't pay 427 money for it.