I made my first post yesterday about a new to me 351c and I was receiving really helpful answers that I really appreciated. I woke up this morning and the thread is nowhere to be found. What happened?
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- Thread starter 351mach1
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I mean, technically my second post: I asked some questions about issues with my 351c in this engine section of the forum:
"Hello all! This is my first technical question post. I just purchased a 71 Mach 1 and need advice on troubleshooting steps and where to go from here.
Quick backstory: The car is an M code with Ram Air so I am assuming the ram air was aftermarket as the wiki says the factory ram air cars are Q code. The vehicle came with basically no history so lets assume we don't know anything about its past life. The only clue I have is that at some point the factory 4 speed was swapped for a C6. The P/O claimed that it was likely they rebuilt the engine when they did the swap based on how good the engine looks. It's also possible that they just threw a different engine in when they did the swap as I have not confirmed whether the engine block number matches the vin. It is definitely a 351C 4V and has a stock split bore intake manifold. I have an in depth mechanical background specializing in diesel truck repair but have never touched a carburetor; so while I may be ignorant to how to tune a carb, I do know how to turn a wrench.
Problem: Engine runs and revs ok but when in gear, it has no power, backfires, and has a big hesitation when you hit the accelerator. None of the interior gauges work and the wiring harness is pretty hacked up. P/O claimed that a month ago they borrowed a friend's edelbrock carb to put on there (to replace the Chinese copy that was currently on there) and that it ran just fine so it just needed a new carb. I installed a new Holley 600 CFM Street Warrior Carburetor and it runs exactly the same as with the chinese carb so it would appear that there is more to the story.
Goals: I want this to be a reliable weekend driver with a good bit of get up and go. From my brief research it seems that I could easily pull 400 HP/Torque from this engine with minimal upgrades. I don't have an unlimited budget and will be trying to save on costs as much as I can but am also willing to buy high quality parts if they will last the lifetime of the car.
So far: I purchased the Holley carb and have also purchased an Edelbrock performer #2665 intake manifold. I have not installed the intake yet. I plan to install the intake and replace the ignition system and perform a tune up at the same time.
Questions:
1. What ignition system to go with? I am seeing many different recommendations on several different forums. It appears that the Ram Air will limit my choices. I like the idea of the MSD plug and play options but everything I read would make it seem that they will not fit with the ram air. How much of a difference does the ram air make? If my car didn't come stock with the ram air, should I convert it back? What distributor is recommended with the ram air? It also looks like I need to choose a distributor that is compatible with the camshaft; due to the unknown history of the engine, how do I verify the camshaft?
2. Due to the unknow history, is there a way to check the timing chain and gears without pulling the front of the engine apart? Should I just plan on doing the timing chain regardless? If I have to dig in there, should I also just do the camshaft upgrade at the same time or save it for down the road?
3. What steps should I be taking here to get this engine running correctly? My current plan is to:
-Check compression to get an understanding of general engine health
-Install edelbrock intake manifold and Holley carb (any must know advice on the intake install?)
-Install upgraded ignition system (need suggestions on what to go with)
-reset ignition timing, perform tune up (plugs and wires) and see how she runs.
-Verify healthy timing chain
Other desired upgrades: I would like to upgrade the exhaust and camshaft. Suggestions?
I am currently away from the car on a work trip so wont really be able to verify anything until I get back to town. I plan to buy the shop manuals and the 351c rebuild manuals. I did snap these photos before I left. Thank you for any and all help/advice."
"Hello all! This is my first technical question post. I just purchased a 71 Mach 1 and need advice on troubleshooting steps and where to go from here.
Quick backstory: The car is an M code with Ram Air so I am assuming the ram air was aftermarket as the wiki says the factory ram air cars are Q code. The vehicle came with basically no history so lets assume we don't know anything about its past life. The only clue I have is that at some point the factory 4 speed was swapped for a C6. The P/O claimed that it was likely they rebuilt the engine when they did the swap based on how good the engine looks. It's also possible that they just threw a different engine in when they did the swap as I have not confirmed whether the engine block number matches the vin. It is definitely a 351C 4V and has a stock split bore intake manifold. I have an in depth mechanical background specializing in diesel truck repair but have never touched a carburetor; so while I may be ignorant to how to tune a carb, I do know how to turn a wrench.
Problem: Engine runs and revs ok but when in gear, it has no power, backfires, and has a big hesitation when you hit the accelerator. None of the interior gauges work and the wiring harness is pretty hacked up. P/O claimed that a month ago they borrowed a friend's edelbrock carb to put on there (to replace the Chinese copy that was currently on there) and that it ran just fine so it just needed a new carb. I installed a new Holley 600 CFM Street Warrior Carburetor and it runs exactly the same as with the chinese carb so it would appear that there is more to the story.
Goals: I want this to be a reliable weekend driver with a good bit of get up and go. From my brief research it seems that I could easily pull 400 HP/Torque from this engine with minimal upgrades. I don't have an unlimited budget and will be trying to save on costs as much as I can but am also willing to buy high quality parts if they will last the lifetime of the car.
So far: I purchased the Holley carb and have also purchased an Edelbrock performer #2665 intake manifold. I have not installed the intake yet. I plan to install the intake and replace the ignition system and perform a tune up at the same time.
Questions:
1. What ignition system to go with? I am seeing many different recommendations on several different forums. It appears that the Ram Air will limit my choices. I like the idea of the MSD plug and play options but everything I read would make it seem that they will not fit with the ram air. How much of a difference does the ram air make? If my car didn't come stock with the ram air, should I convert it back? What distributor is recommended with the ram air? It also looks like I need to choose a distributor that is compatible with the camshaft; due to the unknown history of the engine, how do I verify the camshaft?
2. Due to the unknow history, is there a way to check the timing chain and gears without pulling the front of the engine apart? Should I just plan on doing the timing chain regardless? If I have to dig in there, should I also just do the camshaft upgrade at the same time or save it for down the road?
3. What steps should I be taking here to get this engine running correctly? My current plan is to:
-Check compression to get an understanding of general engine health
-Install edelbrock intake manifold and Holley carb (any must know advice on the intake install?)
-Install upgraded ignition system (need suggestions on what to go with)
-reset ignition timing, perform tune up (plugs and wires) and see how she runs.
-Verify healthy timing chain
Other desired upgrades: I would like to upgrade the exhaust and camshaft. Suggestions?
I am currently away from the car on a work trip so wont really be able to verify anything until I get back to town. I plan to buy the shop manuals and the 351c rebuild manuals. I did snap these photos before I left. Thank you for any and all help/advice."
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Due to all the questions you have and I type slowly, I can give you some time over the phone, I am currently between jobs and would love to chat. Let me know.
tommyjorgensen
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67 Galaxie 500 conv. 390 C6
69 Coupe 390 4 speed
Hi, I also made a post 28 oct., regarding casting dates on 351 blocks etc. now it's gone....
I sent a message to an admin and hopefully they will be able to see what happened
I had responded to your post so I'll try to recall what I typed.
Your Problem sounds like you may have a timing issue. Set your base timing to 16° and see if it helps clear up the power and backfiring issues. In the photo, your plug wires look well worn - recommend you replace them.
The 600 cfm Holley is on the small side for a 351C 4v. It will run okay but you're giving away some performance.
The Edelbrock dual plane intake manifold you bought will work fine with your engine and the ram air assembly. You shouldn't have any clearance issues. I run the same intake on my 72 with ram air.
1. I think @giantpune recommended the Pertronix 3 module, which is a popular option. I prefer to retrofit the Ford Duraspark 1 electronic ignition. It is a fairly straightforward procedure and if you use the standard Ford small distributor cap you will not have any interference with your air cleaner. Check out https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/parts-needed-to-convert-duraspark and https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/sticky-3-351c-basics-and-performance-tuning
2. @Hemikiller found this video for us:
If you do change the camshaft, check with some of the custom cam grinders, e.g., Brent Lykins https://lykinsmotorsports.com/ so you can get a cam matched to your overall build.
3. Your #3 steps all are sound.
I recommend you get either ARP bolts for your intake manifold from one of the speed shops, or buy all your engine's external fasteners from AMK Products https://www.amkproducts.com/i-kits/ford-individual-fastener-kits/?year_=1971&model=Mustang&category=Engine - 351C
Check all your fluids, belts, hoses (heating/cooling and vacuum), etc.
I'm sure others will add more for you. Keep us posted on your progress!
Your Problem sounds like you may have a timing issue. Set your base timing to 16° and see if it helps clear up the power and backfiring issues. In the photo, your plug wires look well worn - recommend you replace them.
The 600 cfm Holley is on the small side for a 351C 4v. It will run okay but you're giving away some performance.
The Edelbrock dual plane intake manifold you bought will work fine with your engine and the ram air assembly. You shouldn't have any clearance issues. I run the same intake on my 72 with ram air.
1. I think @giantpune recommended the Pertronix 3 module, which is a popular option. I prefer to retrofit the Ford Duraspark 1 electronic ignition. It is a fairly straightforward procedure and if you use the standard Ford small distributor cap you will not have any interference with your air cleaner. Check out https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/parts-needed-to-convert-duraspark and https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/sticky-3-351c-basics-and-performance-tuning
2. @Hemikiller found this video for us:
If you do change the camshaft, check with some of the custom cam grinders, e.g., Brent Lykins https://lykinsmotorsports.com/ so you can get a cam matched to your overall build.
3. Your #3 steps all are sound.
I recommend you get either ARP bolts for your intake manifold from one of the speed shops, or buy all your engine's external fasteners from AMK Products https://www.amkproducts.com/i-kits/ford-individual-fastener-kits/?year_=1971&model=Mustang&category=Engine - 351C
Check all your fluids, belts, hoses (heating/cooling and vacuum), etc.
I'm sure others will add more for you. Keep us posted on your progress!
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@351mach1
@tommyjorgensen
Your threads got caught in a mass spam delete I did this morning, a new user posted a bunch of junk. I must have clicked a couple too many boxes, so I apologize for that. Your threads have been restored.
@tommyjorgensen
Your threads got caught in a mass spam delete I did this morning, a new user posted a bunch of junk. I must have clicked a couple too many boxes, so I apologize for that. Your threads have been restored.
@Hemikiller
I see my post. Thank you for restoring and solving the mystery. Should this one get the axe to eliminate confusion?
I see my post. Thank you for restoring and solving the mystery. Should this one get the axe to eliminate confusion?
tommyjorgensen
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67 Galaxie 500 conv. 390 C6
69 Coupe 390 4 speed
Mine became visioner as well, thanks.
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