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blown head gasket 351w

  • Thread starter Thread starter bodavis100
  • Start date Start date Sep 11, 2011
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bodavis100

New Member
Apr 4, 2011
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Sep 11, 2011
#1
  • Sep 11, 2011
  • #1
Hey guys I got a 65 with a 351w in it. I need to replace the head gasket, can it be done with the motor in the car. I am very close to the towers, and I am sure somebody on here has done a head gasket swap with a 351w so any advice will be appreciated.
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
10
79
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Sep 11, 2011
#2
  • Sep 11, 2011
  • #2
I doubt it. That would a "maybe" on a 289. See if you can get a torque wrench on a lower head bolt.
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
4,159
20
79
Rowland Heights,California
Sep 11, 2011
#3
  • Sep 11, 2011
  • #3
I dont have a 351, but i have changed head gaskets NUMEROUS times on my stroker in the car.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Sep 11, 2011
#4
  • Sep 11, 2011
  • #4
unless you built the engine with studs to hold the head on, yes you can change a head gasket on a 351w in a 65-66 mustang. everything is very tight in there so you need extra patience, and you will need to use some swivel sockets on some of the lower head bolts.
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
4,159
20
79
Rowland Heights,California
Sep 11, 2011
#5
  • Sep 11, 2011
  • #5
rbohm said:
unless you built the engine with studs to hold the head on, yes you can change a head gasket on a 351w in a 65-66 mustang. everything is very tight in there so you need extra patience, and you will need to use some swivel sockets on some of the lower head bolts.
Click to expand...
even with studs you can probably still remove the heads.Just loosen the studs and most of them will pull out.the one that dont might have to be wiggled out with a 2nd pair of hands as the heads comes up.
 

Wicked65

Member
Aug 10, 2003
490
3
19
NORCAL
Sep 12, 2011
#6
  • Sep 12, 2011
  • #6
id say if you have studs, no way, if you dont, its ganna be a paid still. even with my towers notched, it was extremly tight. Best of luck! lol
 

69gmachine

Member
Dec 2, 2004
576
2
19
Southern Maryland
Sep 13, 2011
#7
  • Sep 13, 2011
  • #7
One thing yo can do to make it easier is to unbolt the motor mounts and loosen the trans mount. Then you can use a floor jack to put a little lift on the side you're working on to give it a little more room. I just finished doing this on my '69, which granted probably has a little more room to begin with, but it can't be that much since they share the same frame rail dimensions.
 
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