Advice Wanted

[Drews93fox]

Hey guys,

I am trying to get more horsepower for my car cheap. I am going through college and I dont have a lots of money to spend on my car. I have found a 5.0 engine from a 1997 mercury and I can buy the complete engine for $250. Im kinda think that if I buy it I would take the heads and intake off and put it on my 93 fox. I would then probably buy a off the shelf cam for it to give it some more horses.

My second option, I was bought a 351 windsor cheap. This engine was gone through by a respected shop in town about 5000 miles before I purchased it. The down side is its a 1983 block. If I go this way I would have to put the gt40 heads on the 351 and buy a different intake for time being. I would also have to buy a roller cam and go through this route. I know that 302 parts make 302 power but, Is it worth it to start with a 351 block and then eventually go to better heads when I have the money.

So, After the long read should I buy the 5.0 out of the mercury and put the parts on my 302 in my car now, or should I go with the 351 block with 302 heads until I can afford better.(probably 3 to 4 years)

Thanks for all the opinions

Drew

 

[ID89GT]

Buy the mercury motor, buy new cam and valve springs and call it a day. With the 351 you would need a new oil pan, headers, intake.. and that stuff adds up quick. Especially when you have no money.

 

[Boosted92LX]

Buy the mercury motor, buy new cam and valve springs and call it a day. With the 351 you would need a new oil pan, headers, intake.. and that stuff adds up quick. Especially when you have no money.

The headers for the 351 and maybe the intake are the expensive part. If you can find a van with a 351 or an LTD police interceptor 351 in a junk yard those both have the double sump that will work in the fox. You also have to get the pickup tube with the pan.(FRPP also sells the pair for $200 i believe) You didn't say if you were running carb or e.f.i.... If carb, you can pick up an intake off c.l. or a swap meet cheap, e.f.i is another story.Don't forget hood clearance issues with the 351.


In other words, the 351 is more expensive, but It can be done on a budget, I've done it. It's also a real time consuming pita to gather all the stuff together, and if this car is your sole transportation, the 302 may be the better idea.

Good luck.

 

[TRICKYGT]

Turbonator

 

[Drews93fox]

Thanks for the advice fellas

The car will be staying fuel injected. Is there an older car or truck that used a 351 engine, fuel injected?

I also didn't think about a oil pan, and I would have to get a new oil pump for the 351 too... I think that I am leaning towards sticking with my 302

Thanks for the help Drew

 

[JSSuper455]

I'd stick with the 302 in the fox also. Ford used the 351 in lots of cars and trucks. IIRC when fuel injection hit, it was only found in the F-series, vans and Bronco.

If you want to build a 351 car, it might be kinda cool to build a Crown Vic or LTD Victoria, whichever it is. I am thinking of the 4-eyed car like the one in Men in Black that Smith calls a "Ford POS"

Stuffing a warmed up 351 in one of those would be kinda fun.