Best Motor Pick

[phangz]

I have a 1973 Ford F250 with a 351M.... I'm tossing around putting a new motor in her.... I'd like all the power needed for getting the truck around in the mountains, but don't need to burn all the rubber off. Gas milage is important... Don't want to have to load up a bed of 5 gallon gas cans to go hunting... Any suggestions on a good motor to pick????

[stang805]

i'd just rebuild the 351m, plenty of power and a good match for the truck, a 351w would be a good swap if you would rather do that,

[phangz]

If I rebuilt it, would there be any good modifications??? Someone told me something like an RV cam or something like that would be best.... Sorry .... I'm not much of a mechanic....hehe

[stang805]

yeah, you can get a decent cam from summit for $100, thats a good mod, you can also get a new intake manifold, carb headers, the 351m has a lot of potential, its all about how much you want to spend.

[phangz]

I actually have a new intake and carb .... both edelbrock .... the carb is a performer 750 I believe... I've been told thats too much carb for the motor... Would that be good to stay with??

[ModMech]

300-I6.

With a good carb, decent spark, a cam and a decent compression ratio you can easily get 180 HP from them, with GREAT Tq. And still manage 15-17 MPG.

[stang805]

if you go with a header the 351m would do alright with the 750, it is a tad much but it'll run fine, with the edelbrock stuff a bigger cam and headers you'll see 300+ hp easily