The term Modified was used in Ford's advertising back when they first introduced the motors. I was there and recall being suckered into they're hype. Talked the old man into choosing one for his 77 F250 high boy 4x4. Big EFF'in mistake there.Damned thing was slow as molasses, & sucked the fuel (8 mpg average)
The "M" engine has the same potential as the Cleveland engine but you have to work hard to get there. (what's new? Anyone can make a fast chevy - it takes work to make a fast Ford) Not that I believe that old saying but with the "M" engine it really does take a lot of work and money to make it perform up to its little brother, the Cleveland. On the good side a lot of the Cleveland valve gear will work. You can use Cleveland heads on it. You have to use either pistons with a higher compression height or longer rods to make some quench area and the heads don't really help. The ports and valve are the same size at the two barrel heads and to make them breathe you need to put bigger valves and do a good porting job on the ports. As far as swapping into Mavericks or Comets it is just too big unless you want to use a Mustang II suspension and cut the towers out completely. It is a heavy engine when compared to the W or C and the power does not make up for the iron. It is a fair pick-up engine but not a performance minded engine in stock form. Just my feelings on it.
i will probably end up putting a 302 in it. The 351 is just sittin here and i want to try it. CHINGUSCHILD it if works i will be sure to post pics of it.
