Thread: 1978 351M decent for a daily driver?

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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?

With good maint those engines run forever. Don't know about the driveline though.
It's 31 yrs old

I think it's a C6 trans, not sure tho

351M is nothing to get excited about, but they will do for a 4X4 driver. A little thirsty.

Yeah, what Pope said. Do a complete tune-up and live with it.

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

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 truck

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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 4x4