[Daniel Jones]

> Dan - I'll check when I get home and respond to your thermostat question. As
> I'm getting an education in this venture - how does teh 351M compare to the
> 351C?

The 351M is a de-stroked 400 and is larger and heavier than a 351C.
The 351M/400 blocks are 1" taller deck versions of the 351C with
larger mains and 429/460 bellhousing patterns (there were some 400
blocks that were cast with the small block bellhousing pattern but
they are relatively rare). They had very low compression, a wimpy
cam, 2 barrel carb, single exhaust and were total dogs in stock early
emissions-era form. Of course, there's no reason they have to stay
that way. The potential is there since they are essentially just
351 Clevelands with (usually) thicker walls, a half inch longer stroke
(for the 400), an inch taller deck (10.297" vs 9.206") and nice long
rods (6.580" vs 5.778"). Slap a set of 4V heads on top with a Blue
Thunder high rise dual plane, a decent cam and compression and it'll
be a completely different engine. The 400 cranks can be offset ground
for more displacement. I know of one built for a truck that is 434
cubes and another that was built for a Pantera that is 438 cubes.
Might not be the best fit for your Cobra though.

> Also how many valve cover bolts would teh 351M have?

8, same as a 351C.

Dan Jones