Fox 351 Swap

McDirty

Member

Jan 21, 2014

40

1

9

Camano Island Washington

Mar 14, 2014

#1

• Mar 14, 2014

• #1

ok so i couldnt find other posts about this. i have a 95 roller 351 complete motor with brain and harness. i was pondering the idea of dropping it in a hatch. i understand why i need different headers to make it work but what else would i need and why?

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

550

204

tucson,az

Mar 14, 2014

#2

• Mar 14, 2014

• #2

you are going to need either adapter brackets, or 351w front accessory brackets, you might need to extend the throttle linkage, and other minor bits of kit here and there. the swap is fairly bolt in though, the 351w will go on the same 5.0 engine mounts, and the bell housing bolts up nicely to the 5.0 bell housing.

 

McDirty

Member

Jan 21, 2014

40

1

9

Camano Island Washington

Mar 14, 2014

#3

• Mar 14, 2014

• #3

Front accessory brackets as far as what?. I pulled the motor out of my truck so it still has the alternator, ac, power stearing, all that on there

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,016

1,613

194

NJ

Mar 14, 2014

#4

• Mar 14, 2014

• #4

It's best to make fox parts (accessory setup) work on a 351 instead of truck parts work in a foxbody.
You will want to use the fox harness and computer too.

Search for the swap info, it's here somewhere.
Just realize, it's not as easy as pull it out of my truck and put it in my car.

 

McDirty

Member

Jan 21, 2014

40

1

9

Camano Island Washington

Mar 14, 2014

#5

• Mar 14, 2014

• #5

Yup that would make sense. I saw that late model had a whole bunch of swap parts

 

Chuckman

GTFO you fat, heavy bastard

15 Year Member

Oct 21, 2005

1,604

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st. louis, mo

Mar 15, 2014

#6

• Mar 15, 2014

• #6

Oil pan, headers, one or two front swap brackets (depending on which accessories you're keeping), and a fox upper intake are the big things that will make it work. There are if course upgrades that should be made to make the swap more than just a high torque 302, but they aren't necessary to actually put it in. Use the fox ecm and harness, it will plug right in.

 

McDirty

Member

Jan 21, 2014

40

1

9

Camano Island Washington

Mar 15, 2014

#7

• Mar 15, 2014

• #7

i have a typhoon intake from a 302 would that work on the 351

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

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NJ

Mar 15, 2014

#8

• Mar 15, 2014

• #8

You need a lower intake that fits a 351 to go with it.

I'm not sure what your real plans are, but if you have no engine for your car, easiest and cheapest solution is to buy an explorer engine. Has gt40 heads, you buy the right headers, swap your accessories and go. Engines are $250-$500 at most yards.
Probably be alot cheaper, easier and make more power.

I realize the 351 is free, but that doesn't mean it's the best idea unless it came out of a lightning.

 

Last edited: Mar 15, 2014

McDirty

Member

Jan 21, 2014

40

1

9

Camano Island Washington

Mar 15, 2014

#9

• Mar 15, 2014

• #9

I have a 347 that i took out and plan on putting heads on. Its just gonna take time to get the money for the heads I want. I also have a 351 just sitting on a stand with the brain and harness.

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,016

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NJ

Mar 15, 2014

#10

• Mar 15, 2014

• #10

The computer and harness from the truck is most likely garbage unless it has some ebay value.

If you already have the 347, save your money and forget the 351. It's going to nickel and dime you to the point that i bet you are half way to the price of the heads you want.

If you want to drive it now, buy some twisted wedges, put them on the 347 as is, while you save up to have them CNC'ed by TEA.

The whole swapping a stock truck engine into the car plan would be like throwing money in the garbage.

 

Reactions: Grabbin' Asphalt

McDirty

Member

Jan 21, 2014

40

1

9

Camano Island Washington

Mar 15, 2014

#11

• Mar 15, 2014

• #11

The brain and harness are good . I pulled it all myself out of my truck. I was just looking for a " quick fix" while I built the other motor more but if it'd gonna cost more money il hold off on the 351

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,016

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NJ

Mar 15, 2014

#12

• Mar 15, 2014

• #12

McDirty said:

The brain and harness are good . I pulled it all myself out of my truck. I was just looking for a " quick fix" while I built the other motor more but if it'd gonna cost more money il hold off on the 351

Click to expand...

I understand the computer and harness are good, the problem is they are only good for the truck they came out of, little to nothing else. Very rarely can you take an entire harness and computer and just plug it into another car. Could it be wired? Yes, but it won't be easy.

Holding off is a good choice, there are so many hidden costs in a straight engine swap, then add the 351 to the mix and it's even worse.

 

Last edited: Mar 15, 2014

Grabbin' Asphalt

10 Year Member

Jun 10, 2013

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Atlanta, Ga

Mar 16, 2014

#13

• Mar 16, 2014

• #13

Going 351 will raise your motor, you need to check into the lower motor mounts, verts are lower and stronger i believe, mill the intake or just get a cowl hood.