I've got a 93 big Bronco with a 302 that I'm thinking about putting a 351W in. I understand that in the mid-90's the 351W started coming stock with a roller cam. Anyone know what year that was? Also, will putting a later year 351 in a '93 complicate the engine swap any further?

 

94-97 351w's did have the roller cams installed from the factory. Some people were saying they were just drilled for the roller cams, but no, I check on it and they in fact have roller cams installed. That also includes "some" late 93 models.
As far as complications...I don't think there would be any. At least I hope not! Ive got a 97' 351 from a 1 ton that im installing here in a few months. You just need to change a few basic things like the computer, flywheel/damper(flexplate for auto), intakes if your engine doesn't come with one. Same accesories and brackets.

 

I too thought that '94 and up 351w came with roller cams. It is a debate. I have not seen real proof either way. I know that when I tore into my 351 (after I bought it from the junkyard) it had a roller cam and lifters. But I was told that it must have been put in after. If you have proof that Ford put the roller cam into the '94-'97 351w, show it. It would be great info to have. And give me a little more peace of mind that Ford put the roller cam in my truck not some hack that ended up smashing the truck that my motor was in.

 

you can not put a roller cam in a 'NON roller OEM" block
the lifter bores are not long enough for the roller lifters.

there is however aftermarket "retro" kits

 

Well, are several why I think they did come with roller cams........

First, I talked to a mechanic here in town (don't know how reliable the source is), he told me they were drilled for roller cams as far back as late 80's early 90's. The roller cams were installed in 94-97 engines. (351w) They are also in "some" 93 engines. I then went and called both Comp and Crane to see what they had to say. they both told me the same thing (The guy at comp really didn't know much though). If you look in any camshaft catalog you will see there is the cams that fit engines from 69-93. Those are flat tappet. Then they list cams for 94-97 engines. Those are Hydraulic Roller cams that use the existing roller lifters. You would think the cam manufacturer would know.
Besides, why would ford go though the hassel of drilling the blocks to never even use the roller capability? It doesn't make sense. Swirk, on your engine it would kinda make me wonder why someone would go through the trouble of converting to a roller cam, only to use a fairly stock sized cam.

Anyway, there is way to much speculation on this and im not satisfied with what I've found out so far, so what Im gonna do is try and get a hold of the top brass (ford) and see what they have to say on the issue. Cuz if I buy a roller cam for my new engine, it better D@@@ well have roller lifters to go with it!!

 

This is from a letter I received from Total Performance back on November 21,2002 : "The first year for a roller cam in the F - Series and Bronco was 1992 for the 5.0L(302cid) and 1994 for the 5.8L(351cid) engine". Jeff Dunne from Ford Racing's tech department sent me the info.

 

i hate to quote myself

 

bradleyj, I checked my private messages,but ther wasn't any in the box. I'm going to guess you wanted to know the stock cam specs for the roller cam in the 351. I don't know,but the guys at Ford Racing's techline can give you that info. When I contacted them,late last year, it was in regards to EFI302 cam questions for my 1990 Bronco. I always thought 1994 was the first year for a roller cam in both the 302&351 truck engines. He corrected me by saying '92 was the first year for 302 roller cam in F-Series&Bronco,and '94 in the 351.He gave me stock specs of many EFI302 cams : Mustang roller cam, flat tappet truck cam, and the two different profiles of roller truck cams. So if you need those, just ask. As for the 351's cam specs,they should be easy to get. You'll probably get a faster response via email, or by calling them.

 

There is no need for a retro kit. The blocks have been drilled since the early 90's to accept the rollers.

 

Listen up, I've done this swap on a 302, so I may have some "fit and finish" details that could help:

If your block has two threaded holes down the center of the block on the lifter valley, parallel to the lifter bores, then it is roller ready. Even if you don't have roller lifters, Ford Motorsport sells new ones for $109, I bought those, but if you can find low-milage stock ones in a boneyard, then they would work just as well. You will also need to get a spider plate, the plate that bolts into those two threaded holes in the lifter valley that prevents the roller lifters from rotating. I bought mine from a boneyard for $20. You will also need pushrods that are shorter, because the roller lifters are longer, and double valvesprings that offer slightly higher pressure, because roller lifters are heavier, and will float the valves without proper spring pressure. All timing sets will fit, as will any timing cover. You may even use your mechanical fuel pump eccentric with a roller cam (that's what's pumping my juice). This is a great swap, and will not effect anything except a little valvetrain geometry that you can fix with the steps listed above. Roller cams will also make a whole lot more power, especially if you go with an aftermarket grind, such as a Comp Xtreme Energy. Make sure that if you use a 302 cam, you match the correct firing order, but I'm pretty sure that 302 roller cam firing order is the same as the 302 HO/351 W. I'd say go for it, it will not effect the computer in any way, and it will be a very nice reduction in your internal friction. TK

I have no idea when they started doing OEM rollers, I have a Motorsport block with 100% aftermarket goodies, so there's nothing OEM about my motor (except the spider plate). TK

 

bradleyj, finally got your private message. The techs there don't have individual email addresses(as far as I know),but if you want them to contact you via email,you can go to http://fordracing.com/parts/contact and give them your name,email address,and questions,and they'll contact you that way. It would probably be easier to get Jeff specifically by calling their hotline,and asking to speak with him.

 

According to Crane Cams, all 351 Windsor motors from 1994-1997 came with hydraulic roller cams and lifters.

See the first note below.

http://www.blueracer.cranecams.com/ford.htm

 

Hey bradleyj, you still there? I hope we have correctly answered your question...but if you've got more, just shoot.

 

Yes, my question was answered. Looks like '94 was the first year for roller cams in the 351W.