351M / 460 ??? Need Some Expert Input

 

I know this may be longated but i feel it may be nessesary to update everyone on what my dilema is on making the right decision....

 

So we took the S&H Gran Torino out to the families house yesterday, On the way home - a guy pulled up next to us and asked if we were interested in parts for my for the car.   As any curious car guys knows I said yes - what do you have - he says well I have a whole car minus the Bumpers and a few other items off the front end. I said well if you dont mind if we look at it - we might be interested.  So we go to this guys hose and yes indeed an unmolested 1976 Torino - the car is completed dismanteld but he has all the parts.  Based on my knowledge with these cars and part avaiablity I would have to estimate there is probably about $3000 dollars or more just in parts. So I closed a deal to buy everything for $500.  (Nice)

 

With that being said my 1975 Gran Torino has the original 351W .030 bore - balanced and blueprinted rebuild with 11,000 miles on it.  The Donor car I just purchased has a 351M block which is supposedly rebuilt including new heads (I have not confirmed) and I have a Short Block 460.

 

Now - my plan is to do a slow build so i can increase HP - So here is my dilema - Seeing as the 351M has all the engine components - from the carb to the oil pan - would it be worth tearing it down and refreshing everything - Or buidling the 460 block which would obviously entail buying all new everything.

 

As aforementioned - I am in no way advocating doing this over night - with 11K on my windsor and averaging 2000 a year - I have more than enough time to plan this out.

 

I just want to know what your opinions are if you had the choice and the time........which way would you go?

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated

However, if given a choice of 351M or 460, I'd go 460 every time.

that was true for a long time but not so much any more. a 351M can be built into a 400 by swapping the 3.5" stroke crank for the 4" crank of the 400.  pistons are available to correct the low compression height from the factory are also readily available today. factory 4V heads and all aftermarket Cleveland style heads are bolt on but running a 4V intake will require spacers.

a reliable pump gas 500+ HP is easy-peasy from a 400, and much lighter than a 460

 

to the OP; W, M or 460...

 

i'd put the $500 car together & use it as a bad weather day year round driver. if it gets in the way sell it, you should make $. when you need more power on the W i'd do a centrifugal supercharger