cheap 351C swap?

Hack

15 Year Member

Mar 23, 2004

1,945

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69

Minneapolis

May 6, 2004

#1

• May 6, 2004

• #1

I'm considering swapping out my 250 I6 for a stock 351C with 2 barrel heads. If I can make myself baby it will my stock C4 and rear end live for a while? Ideally, I'd like to make it 2 or 3 years (light driving on nice days for about 5 months out of the year). I put maybe 5k miles max per year on it now.

I'd like to eventually do other things, but I need to save up some cash for my Tremec 3550, etc, etc, I don't want to even spend the money for a junkyard toploader to get me by. I don't want to do a clutch conversion yet, not to mention the rear end, etc.

I know that a built C4 can handle a lot, is there anything simple and cheap that I should do? Cheap meaning <<<$100.

Also, what do I need to bolt this up? I can think of motor mounts, the C4 bell housing should match, right? I know I need a radiator for sure. Am I way off base, or could this be a pretty simple swap?

 

Hack

15 Year Member

Mar 23, 2004

1,945

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Minneapolis

May 6, 2004

#2

• May 6, 2004

• #2

Oh, and I already have a 5 bolt suspension in it.

 

Hack

15 Year Member

Mar 23, 2004

1,945

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Minneapolis

May 6, 2004

#3

• May 6, 2004

• #3

Not very organized here.. I found the FAQ thread. I understand that I need all the brackets and accessories for the engine, planning on stripping a junker (crossing fingers).

I have the parts for a front disc conversion, and I will be doing that in the next couple weeks. So I think my suspension and brakes are at least safe for careful city driving.

I just don't know, do I need parts to convert my C4 so it will even bolt to a 351C? Does a 351C affect the position of the C4 in the car (my personal thought is I wouldn't think so, but what do I know?)?

 

Hack

15 Year Member

Mar 23, 2004

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Minneapolis

May 6, 2004

#4

• May 6, 2004

• #4

What's the record for the longest thread with only one person posting in it?

Ok, I forgot to mention the car is a '70

 

F

Fomocohipo

New Member

Feb 3, 2004

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May 7, 2004

#5

• May 7, 2004

• #5

Haha, Know a guy running low 11's with a c4 and a 351c. I think he might have built his c4 up a little but not much. Im backing my cleveland with a c4 and if it blows its an excuse to drop a toploader in.

 

rhyno9

Founding Member

Oct 30, 2002

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Oswego Illinnoying

May 7, 2004

#6

• May 7, 2004

• #6

The 250 6 banger used the same motor mounts as the V8 (cleve or windsor). I think that the c4 and rear should be okay. Typically the 250 six had the 8 inch rear and the same c4 that went behind the 302.

 

B

bnickel

Founding Member

Aug 21, 2002

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77

lubbock, texas

May 7, 2004

#7

• May 7, 2004

• #7

most 351c's were backed with an fmx or c-6 tranny, which use a bigger flexplate the the c-4, so you will need to get the appropriate flexplate. other things you will or might need: throttle linkage, new exhaust, enigine-frame mount brackets, you might have to do some re-wiring for the alternator depending on where the 250 alternator mounts, definatley a new radiator and hoses, engine guage feed wiring harness, probabaly other stuff as well

 

Hack

15 Year Member

Mar 23, 2004

1,945

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Minneapolis

May 7, 2004

#8

• May 7, 2004

• #8

Thank you for the info! Ok, yeah it's hard to come up with all the details out of my head. I'm going to write a list and start gathering!

 

I

Ian70mustang

New Member

Mar 6, 2004

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San Diego

May 8, 2004

#9

• May 8, 2004

• #9

I just blew up my C4 with my 351C, but C4's are dime a dozen so no big deal. As for the 8", you should be fine, nobody seems to give that rearend enough credit, of course its not as good as a 9", but you should be fine as long as you're not doing hard launches with slicks or anything like that.

 

Dark Knight

Founding Member

Feb 1, 2000

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Chandler, Az.

May 8, 2004

#10

• May 8, 2004

• #10

ummm... whats it going in?
67-70 just needs the frame and engine mounts from a 70 with a 351c