You should revisit this video for those looking to do this. People run into issues with the wiring. 1-Is that a HEI upgrade? The old ones used a coil, cap with coil wire in center (also had a module inside), and a silver magic box (iirc since 1984). 2- Was the truck running with this distributor before? I guess it did, you mentioned tach. 3-Go through firing order. If someone used an aftermarket intake, it could have wrong firing order. 4- I think #1 points to carb at TDC
Went years ago with Eldebrock performer intake, (used) rebuilt 4V off ford 390, skip white HEI distributor, summit performer grind cam, high volume oil pump, headers, summit timing chain, restored the timing to earlier specs. 78 f250. Last year of non catalyst trucks I think. 3” phenolic spacer under carb. Torque plus intake gaskets. Had suffered a catastrophic fuel pump failure on turnpike, crankcase filled with gas, detonated, bent pushrods, blew off exhaust. Cc’d combustion chambers, polished ported heads best I could, new lifters springs pushrods valve seals. Over 20 yrs later still gets up & moves.
I believe when i set my initial timing on my 351m upgraded to a 404 cubic inch the timing should be at 4 degree btdc to 8 btdc. Of course exacts differ on stock engine vs modified. Mine had a mild cam, higher compression pistons 9 to 1 and aluminum intake and 4 bbl carb.
I have a 79 F150 longbed with a 351m. Quick question, how did you get your old distributor out? I am trying to replace my original distributor with an HEI distributor but it is stuck in the block it seems. I am currently soaking the base in deep creep and will try to remove it with a slide hammer and a pipe wrench. Just curious if you had this same issue and how you mitigated it?
Yup soak it and then get it to move side to side first. Then you can start to pry up on it. Will still be hard to get out but eventually it will come out.
Noted! When we get back on this I’ll be getting a new radiator and putting the electric fans we got with our Wallace order in as well. Until then we are watching gauges closely.
although I think I would prefer the robertshaw from jeff's bronco because it more closely resembles the OEM lots of info on the cleveland style coolant bypass design but yeah definitely requires a unique thermostat.
On most engines you are correct, but mine originally pointed straight forward. The top radiator hose and thermostat housing is in direct line with number 1, so not sure what "normal" is supposed to be for a 351M. The important thing is TDC on No1, then stab the dist so it's pointing at the contact that is wired to number one, then follow firing order.
Curious about jetting for your area. I’m in northern Utah and have my fuel mixture screws all the way in and it still seems like it’s getting too much…
This is the 351M, All the 351M's I've ever seen have the exact setup as mine. The intake in this video is the stock cast iron 85 pound boat anchor. It doesn't need to be any bigger, my boat isn't that big. Hahaha, totally joking of course, but in future videos I swap that intake out for an aluminum one that's about 1/4 the weight.
@troysgarage is that a 4bbl stock intake manifold? I always thought the 351m400cid only had stock 2bbl , I realy doant know , I just recently got gifted a 1977 f150 4×4 ranger so my knowledge is very limited on my engine the oil dip stick is on the driver's side of engine that's why I was wondering if it was a 351m400cid ..I guess it cold also be placed in outher places
the distributor i knew was wrong from the beginning..if you are hell bent on using a GM dist in a ford..first make sure your timinmg marks on the damper are on zero [ compression stroke ] ...then stab the distributor in with the vacuum advanced pointing straight forward..set your rotor and you are done..i knew you would run out of room to advance it the way it was
Make sure the new thermostat also has the “hat” on it like the old one did. Parts stores are known for selling the Windsor thermostat to people. There is a difference.
There’s still lots of little upgrades I’d like to do. All of them cost money. Wish my budget was much bigger. For now it’s about getting it back on the road.
@@troysgarage Understand, u definitely made the right decision on the HEI Dist, that's all I run, BTW could the factory air filter housing fit with the HEI?? Did you have to get a off set round part to shift the filter away from the dist??
@@troysgarage if you look closely it tells you which way is advance or retard. I "think" counterclockwise is advance, I'd have to look at mine. Just remove the hose and stick the allen key inside and turn it one way or the other.
I absolutely love the videos guys!!! I also have a '79 F-250 Custom. My truck needs some TLC and I long for the day mine can be at this caliber. My truck is also a 2wd. Really the main differences is that my truck has the 7.3 liter 460 big block and mine is an automatic. Can't wait for the next update on Midnight Maroon!!!!
Nope. They parted ways when they went on their missions for the church. He’s marrying a girl who served in him mission in Santiago Chile. She’s actually from Chile. We’ll have to introduce her in an upcoming video. We love her. She’s amazing!
You should revisit this video for those looking to do this. People run into issues with the wiring.
1-Is that a HEI upgrade? The old ones used a coil, cap with coil wire in center (also had a module inside), and a silver magic box (iirc since 1984).
2- Was the truck running with this distributor before? I guess it did, you mentioned tach.
3-Go through firing order. If someone used an aftermarket intake, it could have wrong firing order.
4- I think #1 points to carb at TDC
Went years ago with Eldebrock performer intake, (used) rebuilt 4V off ford 390, skip white HEI distributor, summit performer grind cam, high volume oil pump, headers, summit timing chain, restored the timing to earlier specs. 78 f250. Last year of non catalyst trucks I think. 3” phenolic spacer under carb. Torque plus intake gaskets. Had suffered a catastrophic fuel pump failure on turnpike, crankcase filled with gas, detonated, bent pushrods, blew off exhaust. Cc’d combustion chambers, polished ported heads best I could, new lifters springs pushrods valve seals. Over 20 yrs later still gets up & moves.
Sounds awesome! I gotta get this thing on the road, I'm DYING TO DRIVE IT!!!!
351m makes a thermostat w gasket, saved e from headache.
I believe when i set my initial timing on my 351m upgraded to a 404 cubic inch the timing should be at 4 degree btdc to 8 btdc. Of course exacts differ on stock engine vs modified. Mine had a mild cam, higher compression pistons 9 to 1 and aluminum intake and 4 bbl carb.
evin if it the Hei chev stuff, your Vacuum advance on any Ford V8 should point straight forward, then adjust from there, it should only be slight.
Out a tooth or two...
I have a 79 F150 longbed with a 351m. Quick question, how did you get your old distributor out? I am trying to replace my original distributor with an HEI distributor but it is stuck in the block it seems. I am currently soaking the base in deep creep and will try to remove it with a slide hammer and a pipe wrench. Just curious if you had this same issue and how you mitigated it?
Yup soak it and then get it to move side to side first. Then you can start to pry up on it. Will still be hard to get out but eventually it will come out.
Mine was a beast to remove, never could get the timing right on stock distributor
Remember that the 351M takes a different thermostat than other ford engines. The one you pulled out was the wrong model. It might overheat.
Noted! When we get back on this I’ll be getting a new radiator and putting the electric fans we got with our Wallace order in as well. Until then we are watching gauges closely.
Napa THM 297
although I think I would prefer the robertshaw from jeff's bronco because it more closely resembles the OEM lots of info on the cleveland style coolant bypass design but yeah definitely requires a unique thermostat.
??????????????????????????
I always thought distributer orientation, should be pointed at number one cylinder
On most engines you are correct, but mine originally pointed straight forward. The top radiator hose and thermostat housing is in direct line with number 1, so not sure what "normal" is supposed to be for a 351M. The important thing is TDC on No1, then stab the dist so it's pointing at the contact that is wired to number one, then follow firing order.
Curious about jetting for your area. I’m in northern Utah and have my fuel mixture screws all the way in and it still seems like it’s getting too much…
I’m in SLC and I’ll bet you’re right! I’m gonna mess it more tonight now that the weather is nice again.
Does it have a blown power Valve?
@@troysgarage - 351M was a horrible engine when new, was it built with improvements?
Que tan cierto es que el 351M son poco confiables, cuál es su problema más común?
Very reliable. Most common problem is oil leaks, rear main seal and oil sending unit seem to be the most common points of leaking in my experience.
What engine is that , my 351m400cid oil dip stick is on the outher side ...it's hard to tell but it seems the intake manifold is a little smaller?
This is the 351M, All the 351M's I've ever seen have the exact setup as mine. The intake in this video is the stock cast iron 85 pound boat anchor. It doesn't need to be any bigger, my boat isn't that big. Hahaha, totally joking of course, but in future videos I swap that intake out for an aluminum one that's about 1/4 the weight.
@troysgarage is that a 4bbl stock intake manifold? I always thought the 351m400cid only had stock 2bbl , I realy doant know , I just recently got gifted a 1977 f150 4×4 ranger so my knowledge is very limited on my engine the oil dip stick is on the driver's side of engine that's why I was wondering if it was a 351m400cid ..I guess it cold also be placed in outher places
@@stevepearson6316 dip stick is on driver side because of the 4 wheel drive oil pan. Stick goes directly in the pan, not the front of the block.
😄😄😂
The Whistler gimmick lol
😜🤘🏼
Smart
I wish I was smarter. Hahaha
the distributor i knew was wrong from the beginning..if you are hell bent on using a GM dist in a ford..first make sure your timinmg marks on the damper are on zero [ compression stroke ] ...then stab the distributor in with the vacuum advanced pointing straight forward..set your rotor and you are done..i knew you would run out of room to advance it the way it was
Thanks for the pro tip! Appreciate it and hope others see this who are also running a GM spark maker. 🤘🏼
Another keyboard warrior ... 😄
Timing chain ik
use a gasket on the thermostat housing...if it doesnt leak now...it will soon with just silicone
I used both. 🕺🏼
Make sure the new thermostat also has the “hat” on it like the old one did. Parts stores are known for selling the Windsor thermostat to people. There is a difference.
Good to know. I’m sure this will help someone at some point. Mine was the right one for sure.
I used a plastic tstat gasket with built in O-rings. Works great and reusable.
@@frankglasgow Part number & brand?????????
Sounds like the timing chain, not the dist, is a tooth off.
Timing set was put together by a reputable engine builder out of Texas. I can’t imagine it’s already jacked up. 🤷🏼♂️
@@troysgarage never know until you look. It sucks to do that job without pan gasket issues.
All you need now is a one wire alternator
There’s still lots of little upgrades I’d like to do. All of them cost money. Wish my budget was much bigger. For now it’s about getting it back on the road.
@@troysgarage Understand, u definitely made the right decision on the HEI Dist, that's all I run, BTW could the factory air filter housing fit with the HEI?? Did you have to get a off set round part to shift the filter away from the dist??
I'm sure you have it all running now but did you not know you can advance the timing or retard with an Allen key and the vacuum advance?
Ummmm. I didn’t know that. Gonna watch some other RUclipsrs to get some know how up in this situation. It’s still not running right.
@@troysgarage if you look closely it tells you which way is advance or retard. I "think" counterclockwise is advance, I'd have to look at mine. Just remove the hose and stick the allen key inside and turn it one way or the other.
Such good info! Thanks man. I guess I should have read the RULES! 😅🤷🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️
Flowmaster super 40😃
I hear ya, but…. New video coming soon’ish. I’m so far behind on editing it’s not even funny anymore! 🤦🏼♂️
I absolutely love the videos guys!!! I also have a '79 F-250 Custom. My truck needs some TLC and I long for the day mine can be at this caliber. My truck is also a 2wd. Really the main differences is that my truck has the 7.3 liter 460 big block and mine is an automatic. Can't wait for the next update on Midnight Maroon!!!!
He marrying that girl from California??
Nope. They parted ways when they went on their missions for the church. He’s marrying a girl who served in him mission in Santiago Chile. She’s actually from Chile. We’ll have to introduce her in an upcoming video. We love her. She’s amazing!