Hard to find answer
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hard to find answer
Hey y'all. I have a 1984 f-150 with a blown 302. My question is, will I have clearance/fitment issues with my 302 headman long tube headers if I put a 351w in, or should I just look for another 302? I know the 351w is taller and wider and i've read the 70s trucks were having fitment trouble with their frames but I know the 80s have a wider frame. If anyone can help it would be muchly appreciated. Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Keavy, KY
I may be wrong, but the 302 headers would possibly sit up higher and make mating to the exhaust more difficult. I'd say frame clearance wouldn't be an issue, but where the ehaust meets the header, firewall clearance may be.
Then again, I could be wrong.
Then again, I could be wrong.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Keavy, KY
I'd say with a body lift there wouldn't be much of an issue.
But I'd go 351w also. I love mine. Has enough torque to do whatever I ask it to do, and is considerably more powerful than my friends 302. Also gets better MPG's somehow.
But I'd go 351w also. I love mine. Has enough torque to do whatever I ask it to do, and is considerably more powerful than my friends 302. Also gets better MPG's somehow.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 7
From: Northern Arizona
iirc, the heads are identical except for head bolts are thicker on the 351w, and the block just has a taller deck for the longer stroke of the 351. Otherwise they are basically the same engine. I doubt you will run into clearance issues. If you are needing to replace the engine anyway, I would go 351w if it were me...
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: central illinois
Is this truck 4x4? If so you may have an issue there for header clearance for the front drive shaft.. You will need to also have the y pipe cut and lengthen to bolt the exhaust together.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 4
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Alright, thanks all for the input. I think I am gonna go for the 351w and i guess if need be I can get a hedder kit and build my own. Im just trying to save money. And 83capril, yes it is 4x4 but I don't have a y pipe anymore, I had a friend do a true dual flowmaster exaghust on the truck last year(no cats) 
and he built it to go around my driveline, so no clearance issues there. And 83f1503004x4 ill get more torq and hp from the long tubes than I would from shorties. Thanks again y'all for all the help and advise. I hope I can help one of y'all out one of these days.
and he built it to go around my driveline, so no clearance issues there. And 83f1503004x4 ill get more torq and hp from the long tubes than I would from shorties. Thanks again y'all for all the help and advise. I hope I can help one of y'all out one of these days.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Norman, Ar
Alright, thanks all for the input. I think I am gonna go for the 351w and i guess if need be I can get a hedder kit and build my own. Im just trying to save money. And 83capril, yes it is 4x4 but I don't have a y pipe anymore, I had a friend do a true dual flowmaster exaghust on the truck last year(no cats) and he built it to go around my driveline, so no clearance issues there. And 83f1503004x4 ill get more torq and hp from the long tubes than I would from shorties. Thanks again y'all for all the help and advise. I hope I can help one of y'all out one of these days.
and he built it to go around my driveline, so no clearance issues there. And 83f1503004x4 ill get more torq and hp from the long tubes than I would from shorties. Thanks again y'all for all the help and advise. I hope I can help one of y'all out one of these days. They will not interchange with the 302.
If I remember right, the 351W is aprox 2" wider than the 302.
I don't think you will be dissatisfied with HP and Torque of the 351W.
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: central illinois
All accessories will change from a 351W and & 302. Even the timing covers interchange.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
As for the headers, I doubt they will work without having clearance issues around the transmission. 351W has a taller exhaust port location than a 302, so 302 headers may not clear the starter and/or front of the bellhousing.