I recently bought a 96 conversion van with a dead 351. I understand that this is a roller cam engine with a one piece main seal, My question is will an earlier crankshaft (2 piece seal) fit my one piece seal block? I already have a 3M crank turned and ready to install and would like to use it in this rebuild. The van engine code is H. Thanks

 

It will fit, but you may have interference issue if it has a "slinger" at the rear. The "slinger" can be carefully removed with a grinder if it does interfere.

 

Thanks, that is good news.

 

are you sure the crank in that 96 is bad? have you gotten it checked out by a machine shop?

 

Actually the crank in the 96 is probably a usable crank, at the most needing turned down. I just want to make use of the crankshaft I already have ready to go. The engine runs but pumps coolant out the tailpipe. My plan is a complete rebuild. With 138,000 miles I want to deal with taking it out only once. It looks like you have to take most of the front end off to get the engine out. Does anyone know of any other issues I might run into by using the earlier crank in this engine?

 

so you are replacing a crank because coolant is coming out the tailpipe. I am not following you feel changing the crank will help? I would figure out which head gasket needs replaced and focus on that.

the radiator and fan is all that needs to be removed from the front of the engine to get it out of the rig.

also 138k miles isnt that bad.

 

I'll look at again but I don't think the engine will come out with just the fan and rad removed. I'm not interested in patching up the engine. At 138,000 and not knowing how many times the engine has been overheated due to low coolant I want to do this one time and be done with it. So an overhaul is already planned what I wanted to know was will an early crank fit this block since I already have an early crank turned .010/.010. And yes rebuilding everything from the crank to the top will fix my coolant leak.

 

you will need to also remove the upper intake but otherwise yes the motor will come out with the fan, shroud and radiator pulled. I just put a new 5.8 in my 94 4 months ago.

 

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I was afraid that I might have to remove the grille and upper tie bar and the AC condenser. What fuel mileage do you get?

 

well the motor just broke 3000miles and with my list of goodies on the rig i get 14hwy (70mph) and 10 city.
I have a transgo shift kit in the E4od but it needs some more tweeks. i dont feel its being as efficient as it should which in my mind hurts the city mpg. I complete reworked valve body would probably be a better idea but oh well.