351 W HELP!!

Im using a 85 351W block the HO is a 4 barrel carb the non-HO is 2 barrel. all 302's and 351W's have a standard bore of 4.000" an overbore common when rebuilding an engine will need 4.030" ring set if you go 0.30" over on the boring of the cylinders

:OT: My dad has a truck, not sure of what year, but its an explorer, late 80's i think. However it has a 351 with a 4 barrel on i was wondering if it had a 4 bolt main. I could probably get the serial number next time i go home on leave. Also wanted a guestimate on how much power 351's are good for on stock block?

None of the production 351w blocks had 4 bolt mains.
Some have said that the 69 block could be machined for 4 bolt mains due to the increased web thickness (but I have not been able to confirm that personally).
Unless the block in the pickup was swapped out for a pre 75 block, there won't be anything special about it.

Supposedly the 351w blocks can handle 6-700hp (depending on who you ask of course). All will agree however that the the 351w can handle much more power than the 302.

As far as the ring thickness on stock pistons, I don't know. my suggestion would be to decide what brand rings you want to go with, then call their tech line. That is all I can come up with.


Good Luck, and let us know how it goes,
jason