351C vs 351E

[GMCNUT]

I have a 351C out of a 1960 grain truck that I have saved to use in something in lieu of eventually finding something better like a 351E or other Magnum engine....

So I am wondering if anyone thinks the performance difference is significant enough to forego the 351C over a magnum or if the cubic inches being the same gives about the same performance?

Also, I never hear anyone talk about the non-magnum 351 engines so wondering why or if they are just rarely seen, etc?

[bigblockv6]

The 1960 351C put out 155hp while the 1966-70 351M & E engines put out 190hp, these are net figures so there's a 35hp difference. You can closely get get the power up to the Magnum level just by replacing the small ww carb with the Holley 500 carb. Realisically if you want a real power increase a 401M engine will be a better choice. 351C engines were one of the longest produced GMC V6's from 1960-72 as far as that designation and applications are concerned. Why nobody talks about them is due to interest in Magnum head engines. The 351C is still a decent upgrade over a 305 V6 and good chance more plentifull over all the other larger displacement V6 engines.

[6066gmcguy]

the 351C is a good engine, and if you don't have a Magnum engine, you can still bolt in a 351C in place of a 305W (whatever=A, B, D, C, E). You can do a bolt in swap between any of the 305, 351 or 401 engines, engine out of bigger truck have a taller water pump housing/timing cover, so you have to change the water pump housing, or switch to an electric fan to cooling. when switching the timing cover one alneed to switch the gears out for a chain.

another good thing about either the 351C or 401, if you have a Magnum engine with the lower end that is shot, you can pull all the Magnum engine parts off and bolt onto a 351C or 401 and basiclly have a Magnum engine when done. I guess if one really wanted, you could also bolt those Magnum engine parts to any of the 305 engines and get a 305M.

[bigblockv6]

All 351 engines have the chain driven timing setup so only thing that needs to be changed is the timing cover/ waterpump housing. 401,432 and 478 are gear driven. Pete Chronis Northern Cal.

[GMCNUT]

This is all very helpful info - very much appreciated. Not sure what the destiny of the 531C is right now, but its saved from the crusher for now, so that is good enough for now....kept thinking I would run across a GMC somewhere w/ no engine in it and I could drop the 531 in, but so far no luck.....I save a lot of trucks from the crusher so hopefully I will spot one eventually