Differnces b/w 302W & 351W

snowball · Dec 24, 2004

I was having a chat with my brother yesterday and we were trying to identify the differences between a 302W and a 351W. What are the visual difference between these 2 engines? I understand the deck height on the 351 is about 1 in taller and the firing order is different than the 302. I am also lead to believe the intake manifold on the 302 has 12 bolts while the 351 has 16.

Is there anything else to look out for?

I've had a look at a few previous threads but they seem to focus on the internals.

Thanks for your help and Merry Christmas.

fvike · Dec 24, 2004

The 351 is just bigger. Wider "shoulders".

latamud · Dec 24, 2004

The 351 has as many intake bolts as a 302, if you think about it they use the same heads so the intake holes would be the same. The cam, which determines the firing order, is interchangable. The roller 302 cam uses 351w firing order. The oil pan, oil pump, oil pump shaft, distributor are different, 351w is wider. The timing chain and cover are the same. Some 302s are 28 oz imbalanced, some are 50oz. I'm not sure but I think all 351ws are 28oz. The balancers are interchangable as well as flywheel/flex plate.
I am swapping a 351w into my 66 soon. Not everything swaps over, have fun.

D.Hearne · Dec 25, 2004

The early 351W's have 16 intake bolts. The 78-up ones have the same number of intake bolts, because at that point, they used the same heads as the 302's.

brianj5600 · Dec 25, 2004

The easiest way for me to tell them apart is the deck in relation to the water pump passages. 302s the deck is barely above the water passages going into the block. 351s have bout an inch from the deck down to the water passages. As far as the intakes go, a 302 intake will bolt up to any 351w head. The extra holes make no difference. The water passages are shaped a little different, but seal fine with a 351w intake gasket.

Max Power · Dec 25, 2004

Easiest visual way to tell just looking under the hood is the width of the intake manifold. After looking at a bunch you will get good at it.

thehueypilot · Dec 25, 2004

latamud said:
Some 302s are 28 oz imbalanced, some are 50oz. I'm not sure but I think all 351ws are 28oz.

In 1981 Ford changed all V8 engine balance going from 28.2 oz/in to a 50 oz/in specification.
Overall length= 27.5" for 302 and for 351W
Overall width = 18.75" for 302 vs. 21" for 351W
Overall height (oil pan to manifold) = 20.75 for 302 vs. 23.75" for 351W

latamud · Dec 25, 2004

thehueypilot said:
latamud said:

Some 302s are 28 oz imbalanced, some are 50oz. I'm not sure but I think all 351ws are 28oz.

In 1981 Ford changed all V8 engine balance going from 28.2 oz/in to a 50 oz/in specification.
Overall length= 27.5" for 302 and for 351W
Overall width = 18.75" for 302 vs. 21" for 351W
Overall height (oil pan to manifold) = 20.75 for 302 vs. 23.75" for 351W

Click to expand...

Everyone I ask tells me my 89 351W is 28 oz. This is news to me, but it's good to know.

latamud · Dec 25, 2004

And every search for 351W imbalance turns up 28oz for all years.

65fastback2+2 · Dec 25, 2004

i remember hearing that a boss 302 was actually a big block just not bored as much or something like that???

86bluecobra · Dec 25, 2004

all 351W are 28oz as far as intake bolt holes go i guess thats only differant if u r using an old set of 351 W heads. since the 5.0L craze why would anyone want to run stock 351 heads when afr and edelbrock and holley etc etc etc make such great heads. u can tell a 351 pretty easy by the sound it makes. way more throaty then a 302 well atleast with same exhaust installed. Im always getting 5.0L guys asking which exhaust sytem i have installed usally the same as them 40 series flowmasters its just mine sounds way better

86bluecobra · Dec 25, 2004

a 351W has same firing order as a 302 H.O. but not that same as a regular 302 not sure if its same as a 289 H.O.

latamud · Dec 26, 2004

86bluecobra said:
a 351W has same firing order as a 302 H.O. but not that same as a regular 302 not sure if its same as a 289 H.O.

The hipo 289 has same firing order as a 289. But you can put a 351w cam in any 289/302 and use the 351w firing order.

latamud · Dec 26, 2004

65fastback2+2 said:
i remember hearing that a boss 302 was actually a big block just not bored as much or something like that???

BOSS 302 is a 302 block.

Differnces b/w 302W & 351W

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