I have been searching for a comparison between the 351w and the 350sbc's from our era trucks, but I cannot come up with anything usefull. I was just wondering if anyone had any facts on these two vs eachother? I know that the SBC is cheaper to make horsepower etc, etc.. but I am talking stock 351w vs stock 350chev. I am just curious how they perform against eachother, because I of course am a ford guy, but all my buddies drive chevy's. I get really tired of hearing about how great their 350's are. Anyone please feel free to comment.

 

depends on interpretation. chevy came 210 hp and 215 ftlbs torque. the ford had 210 hp and 315 torque... the fords are better built and last longer... check wikipedia for more indepth and less bias

 

While some might consider this a it OT, I am thinking outside the "standard" box here -

One way to shut off the bragging comparison is to simply state that both are fine engines, both do the job that they were designed for and both have more than enough power to get a speeding ticket in all 50 states as well as move any load that the truck is rated for.

Add in that trucks/cars are just tools, just like a wrench or a power saw, and as you would select a hand tool or power tool that fits your grip, you also pick the truck/car that fits you the best.

Pretty much stops the one up man ship that the car companies have carefuly nurtured in the buying public, IE that a paticular car or truck is more than just a preference for the paticular "tool" that gets the job done to your personal satisfaction. That somehow a paticular car or truck makes you a better person, or somehow makes a statement.

Which is why I own a S-10 because it fits me better than a Ranger, and why I own full size Ford trucks as well - because they fit me better, and just like a Matco or Snap-on wrench feels better in my hand, the S-10 and the full size Ford trucks just feel better to sit in.

As you can tell, I am NOT brand loyal. Cars and trucks are just tools.... at least in my opinion.

Think outside what you have been trained by the car companies to think!!

David

 

I just happened to run across this exact toppic on this site from 2004. The info there said that the 350 had about 5-15 less ft/lbs, but same hp. Just seems like they are very similar engines with a lot of good in each of them. That info also said that the 351w has better flowing heads, which I find hysterical (if its true), because this is the weak point on the 351w, the parasitic heads.

 

Chevy 350 was one of the best engines in its heyday, simple to work on, rather unchanged for eons, reliable and the aftermarket is insane for them.

351 is a good engine, similar to the chevy, bit more suited for HD work imho they tend to have more lowend torque than the 350-but thats probably due to fords better gearing choices.

Either one is really no more better than the other, the trucks are another story.

 

So theoretically, the next time one of my buddies shoots their mouth off, and I hook bumper to bumper with him, it should make for a pretty good crowd-pleasing tug-o-war?

 

Probably. Course one of you might tear something off or bust something.

 

Haha, wouldn't really matter on either truck. We are great buds, and we do stupid crap all the time. As a matter of fact, I spent my day off yesterday helping him replace his belt, all of his pulleys, his fan, and his radiator. His fan came loose and went directly into his radiator, taking everything else with it.

 

i am brand loyal but, its from trial amnd error. i was raised on chevy. my brother has always loved fords. i owned both of them and have had much better luck with my fords. i had a 95 mark 3 half ton chevy 4x4 that was a monster. way too much power. it was a 350 auto...but it was fun. the problem was things kept breaking on it, and i didnt drive it hard. my fords on the other hand took and take every beating i can give it. thats where my bias comes from

 

I guess we will see what happens when he decides to open his mouth next time. He is the type that would blow his motor before giving up a tug, but I think my ol' girl can take it.

 

ive never seen a 350 that didnt have an oil cloud behind it. id build a 351 any day even though the parts cost more

 

ive been a ford boy all my life, But a couple years ago i thought i would i expand my horizons and give chevy a try too. I bought my wife a suburban 1500 4x4 with a 350 in it. I loved the comfort and drivability compared to my work horse work truck fords ( i wont part with) but to be honest every time i made that suburban work towing my 30 foot pull behind camper something bad would happen. one trip out the heads cracked ( found out later from chevy boys the 93 350s had a problem with that) then another trip out the tranny was toast. nope i didnt find the 350 very dependable, easy to work on i will give chevy that anyone that ever changed out a 351 waterpump can tell you what a pain that is. a 350 water pump is a breeze 4 stinkin bolts is it. I will stick with my fords.. no more chevys for me. my 2 cents

 

Well back in the late 60 s to early 70 s the sbc was very good , they had much better heads with the 2.02 - 1.60 valves , these heads today are outdated but in 70 you could get the LTI 350- 370 HP stock , it seems chevy lost there way during the smog days , then when ford brought out the 5.0 EFI mustangs in the late 80s things started to change ,, alot of this went over to the trucks to , now the aftermarket support for the 5.0 is great , and alot of it transfers to the 351 , i think our era trucks were much better , just look when you drive down the road , theres still alot of fords on the road compared to the chevys of the same years....Lew

 

The last chevrolet I owned was a 96 3/4 with the 350. I wasn't impressed at all with it. The SBC might be an okay engine. They made a ton of them. But quantity doesn't always make something good.

I'd be happy with a 302 or 351 any day of the week. I am on pickup number 4 with a 302.

 

I'm going to have to defend ch*vy just for a second here.. This friend I was talking about drives a 91 1500 4x4 with a 350 and auto trans. This truck has been through more hell than any of us can immagine, and I have been in the pasenger seat for most of it. I wish we would have some video of some of the crap this kid has done.. you would all be amazed that his truck still runs, I know I am. A good example would be jumping ditches regularly at 40+ mph, truck pulls, tug-of-wars, heavy mudding, hill climbing, and this would be a pretty slow weekend for him.. If they made such crap in these years, then how in the world did my friend end up with the ONE that they did right? Don't get me wrong, I'm a Ford guy, through and through. I have only owned one chevy truck and it was given to me. I just don't see what makes those damn chev's so expensive up-front? It is fairly cheap to fix everything else on them when something breaks, but they cost twice as much up-front.