Differences between 351W and 351W HO

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 9, 2012 | 11:21 AM

Blue Rebel

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 2,244

Likes: 2

From: Cottage Grove, WI

Differences between 351W and 351W HO

Hey guys, im wondering what the differences were between these 2 engines, specifically from the mid 80s? Cams? Firing order? 2bbl/4bbl? Were they both offered in trucks? Thanks for any help!

Jan 9, 2012 | 05:41 PM

Beanscoot

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 2,071

Likes: 36

From: British Columbia

There were actually two different "HO" engines of this displacement.

The first, well known one was the truck/van 351-4V HO engine with a 4V cast iron intake and Holley carburetor and marine camshaft. I believe everything else was the same as the 2V engine. It was available in the mid 1980s.

Then there was a 5.8L "HO" engine fitted in mid to late 1980s cop cars. When I looked into these a couple years ago though, they seemed to be the same low power 2V engines put in regular Crown Vics. I think the "HO" designation was just tacked on to fool the police purchasing departments.

Jan 9, 2012 | 05:41 PM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

Bigger cam and 4bbl carb and intake... that's it.. everyting else is the same. These were trucks only.

P.S. I'd agree on the police HO too, I have seen these cars and as far as I can tell it was just a plane jane 351.

Jan 9, 2012 | 06:07 PM

Blue Rebel

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 2,244

Likes: 2

From: Cottage Grove, WI

Hmmm... Is there any way to id one without pulling a valve cover and measuring the cam?

Reason I ask is because the 351 i swapped into my truck is a supposed HO, but when we got it there was a 2bbl intake sitting on it (not bolted down). And it doesnt seem to have the get up and go like my 89's 351. Both trucks have4:10 gears and 33" tires, but the 89 is a manual and the 95 is an auto

Jan 9, 2012 | 07:18 PM

baddad457

Hotshot

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 11,141

Likes: 25

From: south louisiana

The 95 351W would have a roller cam which has a much better cam profile than the flat tappet truck cams, it would be closer in profile to that flat tappet marine cam.

Jan 9, 2012 | 09:18 PM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

Auto transmissions consume more power than a stick so that alone will make it feel more sluggish, but without putting a dial gauge on it you'll never really know what you got.

Jan 10, 2012 | 12:49 AM

Blue Rebel

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 2,244

Likes: 2

From: Cottage Grove, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddad457

The 95 351W would have a roller cam which has a much better cam profile than the flat tappet truck cams, it would be closer in profile to that flat tappet marine cam.

Sorry, guess I should have been more thorough in my first post. The truck is a 95 originally equipped w a 302 and 4r70w. i swapped in a 351W out of an 84. Im using the MAF computer and controllers from the original 95 302 on the
351W

hmmm... well it runs good and doesnt leak, so i dont think i wanna know bad enough to pull a valve cover. im thinkin ZF swap at tax time anyways....