EFI 351 windsor 5.8l
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 1
From: Elyria, OH
I'm not saying it cannot be done in the truck, i am just saying if a bolt does happen to break (which its almost guranteed) then drilling and tapping would be easier out of the truck where you have room to work. Of course with the radiator out of the way you can probably do it that way. My gut just gets in the way any more
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
The water pump bolts are a PITA no matter what you do... I pulled my 351w for a rebuild and soaked mine for over 2 weeks every day with PB Blaster... I did get lucky enough to get all mine out without breaking one. A couple suggestions... Work the bolts backward and forward. To many people try backing out a bolt and when it gets stuck in reverse they apply more force (ie cheater bar) and break the bolt. If you can get a bolt backed out a little, then work it back and forth working the rust in the treads loose. Apply PB Blaster a lot... if you get the bolt worked back a little and it gets stuck... Apply some PB and walk away for a day or two (reapplying PB several times...). I used this method on my stock 88 351w with the original water pump bolts and didn't break any; and after removal i found out they were 1/2 rusted through. I also did this on my cast iron exhaust manifold bolts and only broke 1-2 of those off in the E7 heads.
Also for the persons that said these 351w water pump bolts are hard to find!!!! I have no idea what they are talking about since i walked into O'Reilly's and bought them for under $5 from the "HELP" bolt section out in one of their aisles.
Also for the persons that said these 351w water pump bolts are hard to find!!!! I have no idea what they are talking about since i walked into O'Reilly's and bought them for under $5 from the "HELP" bolt section out in one of their aisles.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Monmouth County, NJ
I'd just like to add to anyone who might be reading this later, I am responsible for maintaining and sometimes driving an 83 f350 rack dump with the 351w and one of the BorgWarner 4-speeds. The engine uses about the same amount of fuel with an empty truck or with a loaded one, although I suspect the gearing is partly to blame for this as I run out of gears at 25mph when empty. However, the engine has either 130 or 230 miles, and is a tank. All of its life its used to pull 12,000+ pound combinations at a sustained 3500rpm (because of the gearing) and it still has great compression. Very easy to find parts for and work on. Only problem is the current owner is dangerous with a wrench, and had the timing advanced some ridiculous amount, so started using premium gas to counteract the knock and then wondering why the exhaust manifold now lets 80% of the exhaust out in the engine bay. Working on that issue right now. Someone tried to prank me with an exhaust whistle and it actually got sucked into the pipe, just about the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Anyway, the Windsor small blocks are awesome for a work truck and I highly recommend them.
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