I've positively identified my 78 f250s engine as a 351w. It has the taller deck, so i know its a 351 windsor. I thought it was a 302 for about a year now, but i was wrong. I'm confused though!!! It runs on a 302 firing order!! Why is this? Does it have a 302 camshaft in it? Or is it possible for a 351W to run on a 302 firing order. I find this a little confusing. It seems to have a 351W electronic ignition distributer, because it has the large 2 piece cap. Can anyone explain what the heck is up with my motor?


"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/351/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

If it's a windsor and has a 302 firing order then someone has put a 302 cam in it.

RCC

 

302 and 351w distributors look the same on top.

 

THANKS!!!! One more question. If I'm not mistaken a 302 head is a 5 bolt pattern for the valve cover, and 6 for the 351. Assuming this, this means my motor has a 302 heads, and a 302 cam. What would this make my motor? Is this a bad thing? The engine has quite a good bit of power, spinning my 35 inch mudders with easy. I'm no dumby with engines, but I've never really got into "cross-breeding" them like this engine appears to be. Any info would be vert helpful...THANKS AGAIN...

"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/351/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

I'm sorry, i was mistaken...my heads have 6 valve cover bolts. So its a 351w with just a 302 cam
i guess
"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/302/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

Actually it's a blessing in disguise. 302 cams are cheaper.

 

Wouldn't I get more power with the 351w cam. It should have a larger lift and duration. Seems to me the 302 cam would just "de-tune" a 351w.

"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/351w/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

Both 351w and 302 have 6 bolts on the valve cover. After 1977, 302 heads and 351w heads are virtually the same except for the size of the head bolt holes. 351c/351m/400 have 8 bolts holding the valve cover on.

 

Should make no difference which engine the cam is designed for, the 302 will simply make power at a higher RPM range with the same camshaft than the 351. There is a much bigger selection of 302 cams out there, and they do tend to be cheaper due to the higher volume. I doubt that the previous owner installed a stock profile 302 cam in your motor, rather pointless.

 

Your right....it is a slightly larger than stock cam. It has that beautiful "lobing" sound to it. If I go back to a 351w cam, will I need to change distributers, or just swap the firing order?


"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/351w/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

Just swap the fining order.

 

I have the same 351w with a 302 firing order. My truck has an RV cam on it which the previous owner installed. Would there be anything else on my engine that is of 302 status? Thanks.

 

 

I am trying to determine the year of a motor. This 351w motor in is a 1977 wellcraft V20, but is not the original engine. The engine has points and condensor in it. Can anyone tell me what year ford converted to electronic ignition and how much trouble is it to convert to the newer electronic ignition.

quinnman

 

The 351W firing order is the same as the 302 "HO".