talk to me about the 351w

[electricgreen]

So we (finally) decided what to do with the mach's motor issue. Since the original 302 is toast, we had to choose between another 302, or another motor. Since we are building Eleanor, we decided we might as well have the right motor (351w). Now, on to the finding of one.

What years are the best? What years should we be looking for as far as compatablity to existing componants (tranny-c4-bellhousing)? Will the flexplate from the 72 302 work, or do we need one specific to the year 351w we get? Are there certain years that have specific tooth flexplates that will fit in the (157 tooth) bell we have now? Will our headers work?

Lots of questions, I know, but if I had asked this many questions before we bought a 78 302, we never would have bought it due to differences between the 72 & 78....I feel like this guy alot when it comes to motors...

 

[brianj5600]

Same bell housing and flex plate. Get a 74 or older for serious power. Late model roller block for mild to medium build. Headers are hit and miss from what I hear.

 

[xoxbxfx]

Just choose any 351 in good shape. The pre 74 blocks are supposed to be stronger but unless you are trying to push 500hp w/o a girdle, you dont have to worry. A 93-95 block would be cool becuase its a roller block and you can have a full roller setup. Lots of the stuff is interchangeable, such as bellhousings, flywheel/flexplates...

I personally dont think the year of the block really matters. I would look into a stud girdle if you plan on making some good power out of the motor on any block.

 

[slapper]

Be aware of the differences in cylinder head deck hights from pre 1977 and post 1977.

 

[Edbert]

Same bell housing and flex plate. Get a 74 or older for serious power. Late model roller block for mild to medium build. Headers are hit and miss from what I hear.

I don't know about any "misses" but I bought Headmann Elite for a 351W in a 67-68 and they fit like a dream. I got them on in 30 minutes too! Plenty of room for early model starter (I'm using a late one) and clutch linkages if needed. There's a few pictures of them on my Rack and Pinion page:

http://www.edbert.net/randp.htm

 

[rbohm]

all 351w blocks are good, with the roller cam blocks being the best bet as you dont have to use a retrofit kit to get a roller cam. as for cylinder heads though you would be better off getting either an early set, or an aftermarket set.

 

[electricgreen]

We were planning on going for older (69-72), because of the lack of emissions requirements in those years. I'm starting to wonder if the newer roller motors would still be emissionsless on vans & trucks (no brackets there for emissions equip. Ny is getting funny about thier inspections laws, and I don't want problems later because there's a place for the equipment, even if was never there on the car!)

Thanks for the replies! Anyone know the HP rating on the roller motors? Easy to convert to carbed?

 

[imshaggy2000]

We were planning on going for older (69-72), because of the lack of emissions requirements in those years. I'm starting to wonder if the newer roller motors would still be emissionsless on vans & trucks (no brackets there for emissions equip. Ny is getting funny about thier inspections laws, and I don't want problems later because there's a place for the equipment, even if was never there on the car!)

Thanks for the replies! Anyone know the HP rating on the roller motors? Easy to convert to carbed?

You handy with a grinder at all, I wouldnt worry about any emissions junk unless you plan on keeping everything bone stock. Hp ratings on the roller motors are going to be out of wake as they where all in trucks, so they are not at all camed like you probably would in a mustang. The blocks are really hard to come by and expensive. Yes they are easy to convert to carb just swap the intake, coil, and distributor.