Started out as a good day - quickly went down

[frost0100]

Started out as a good day - quickly went down--UPDATED!!

Well not too long ago I had purchased this 68 coupe with a 351W engine in there. Runs great, needed a few small upgrades here and there, so I started stock piling all the parts I needed.

Started the tear down and install yesterday to find out that my 351W is actually a 302 - Runs great, and is strong - but not the 351 that I thought it was.

So now... What to do... Do I sell the parts that dont fit (most do except the intake and carb) and sell the whole engine and start over with a rebuilt 351 (which I would have to locate and purchase still)

or should I just tear this engine down and rebuilt up the 302?? Out of curiosity what size carb should go with a 302? I doubt my big 750cfm will work too well.

Man my winter was going to be all about the body and suspension - now it looks like I have to go back to the engine once again and start all over....

 

[302 coupe]

new to fords? Its pretty easy to spot a 351 from a 302.

What all parts did you buy? Some will work on a 302, others will not. The carb is too big but would physically bolt on, intake is too wide, distributors don't interchange, headers don't interchange, etc. The heads and cam usually interchange though.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Just save up and get a 351. Prices will be close to eachother, and you will get more power from the 351. You will also have to spend less time and headache to get those items sold and then buying matching parts.

 

[frost0100]

Yup I am a ford newb... But I rather make mistakes and learn from them, than be scared to ever learn... Yeah - the intake size was my first item that made me start to research what I actaully had in my car. I am thinking of pulling the 302 and putting in a 351 - I should be able to find a rebuilt one and transfer my parts over for not too much.. Saving???? What is that, Im ready to drop the $$ now.. I was just set to purchase rims and suspension... Now it looks like engine parts take the cake again.. Well except this time its engine not engine parts...

 

[Pakrat]

Just double check everything before you make a new plan, you may actually own a camaro.

(J/K) Learn the lesson though, always verify everything first!!! If you checked out the rest of the car in the same manor you could be in for many surprises. I assume you can't return what you bought? Have you considered stroking the 302 to 347?

 

[krash kendall]

Just curious as to what the VIN states was originally in the car. Have you decoded it?

 

[frost0100]

Yeah, I wasnt too concerned with the engine when I bought the car - my main concern was a solid and straight body... LUCKILIY I have that.. My goal has always been to replace the engine, so not too distraught by that either, I was just going to start in on suspension/handling rims/tires this week - Now it looks like that will go on hold though...

Originally there was a 289 in the car. Car was originally white (so the vin indicated)

I havent concidered much as of yet, just trying to gather a concensus and see what options I have out there.. I now know that either way the engine is coming out.. So that is where I'll start I guess....

If I were to stroke what I have - What kind of $$ am I looking at to have that done? If I had someone stroke it and rebuild it so all that is left is the little stuff (for me to handle) is that big $$$?? I did recently find for $1300 a 351W rebuilt.

 

[frost0100]

Someone in here said the headers I have would fit either a 302 or a 351. Is that incorrect?

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Stroking is going to cost you more money. You will have to switch the parts you have now, and pay $$$$ for the stroker kit. Just go with the 351, plus you get longer life out of the 351.

 

[thehueypilot]

Don't get so wrapped up on what others think of your car........it's yours to do what you like. Play it safe and plan it out and if you want a 351W buy a crate engine from one of the big shops like CHP or Summit or Ford Racing. Rebuilt engines from someone you don't know is not a wise choice.

 

[frost0100]

Very good advice.. I think I am going to let it fester in my head for awhile before jumping into anything. The quick and easy route would be to keep the 302 and build it up nice - The better long term choice would be the 351 and build it up with my parts. I guess that choice would also make it so I'd need a new tranny as well, huh...

 

[nds03]

you wont need a new transmission

 

[65up2d8]

Someone in here said the headers I have would fit either a 302 or a 351. Is that incorrect?

That could be correct or incorrect. A 351 W block is just a taller deck version of a 302 block. That is the reason the intake is wider for a 351W; the heads set further apart. The headers will work if 1) they don't contact the shock towers since the engine is wider and 2) if they are long enough to accept the height difference without contacting the floor pans. My guess? They'll probably work just fine since you aren't really talking about huge differences, but I could be wrong. You can probably tell by closely examining how they fit with the 302.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Stroking is going to cost you more money.

Yeah, and be sure to find a secluded area the five-oh arent likely to roll on.....

On a serious note, I would keep the 302 at least for the time being if it runs well. If it needs a rebuild anyway, just get what you want. If you havent driven a 351W Mustang, you wont know what you're missing. I know I dont. I do however have a 351W block in the garage for when the time comes to find out.

I'd rather have a slow car that handles well than a fast one that only goes straight.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

A 351 only weighs like 30 pounds more than a 302. A 347 is awesome but can cost a lot more than a 351. If you are going to be paying for a stroker, stroke the 351!!!!!!! You don't know what you are missing 65shelbyclone.

 

[frost0100]

Well I finally made some progress on my engine dilema thanks to you guys and some others not on this board.

I've decided to purchase a 1990+ 351W (1 piece main seal) with a few upgrades from stock. This engine is going to be built for me as a remanufactured engine from a local company here in NC.

Upgrading Cam
Upgrading Valve Springs
Pistions for higher compression.

I havent figured out what they are going to be ugraded with or specs just yet, but I will soon...

Engine comes with 12K or 12month warranty - Under $1500...

I'll get to use my intake and carb, fuelpump, blah blah blah... from my 302. The rest I'll buy new - Im pretty excited and should be loads of fun when complete. I think for a few months it may just sit in my house as a "center piece" HA! ha..

 

[5.0ina66]

Use a 94+ truck motor to begin with, block casting F4TE. It uses a 5.0 roller cam Put a nice set of heads, a PerformerRPM intake, headers, and a TFS #2 cam in that thing, and you'll have a regular beast!

PS: 302 intake won't fit...351W intake is wider due to increased deck height.

 

[frost0100]

94+ huh - I'll check on that. Yeah I had thought originally that I had a 351 - bought a new intake - found out I had a 302. (Im new to engines, but learning alot) So I have a 351W intake already, and a 750cfm edelbrock carb, New fuel Pump, Valve covers, Timing cover, and more all for the 351 already.

 

[MO351]

The F4TE is roller ready (will accept the roller hardware) but it will have a flat tappet cam. You could put the HO cam in it but you'd be better to get a custom grind. I've had a few Lightnings and some of the guys have found that the 5.0 HO cam works a bit better than the stock Lightning cam. Much better off getting a custom grind for your combo though. That's the best way to go.