351 Upgrade
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
351 Upgrade
I have an '86 F-150 longbed 4x4, 302, 4 spd. I recently found a 351 H.O. from an '85 Bronco for $400.00. I want to pull the underpowered 302 out and install the 351w. I know I'll need to take the ign control module from the Bronco, but what else do I need to get? The 302 is fuel injected, and the 351w is carbureted, what other mods do I need to do?? Can I run just the Low pressure in tank pumps, and eliminate the High pressure frame mount fuel pump, or do I need to do something else all together?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 8
From: Indian Falls, New York
The 351 will only be a little better. Bolt ons are your friend. You can practically sneeze on these motors and they will make power.
Basically, headers, intake, cam, and carb. If your feeling gutsy, heads.
Basically, headers, intake, cam, and carb. If your feeling gutsy, heads.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 8
From: Indian Falls, New York
You shouldn't have to remove the in tank sending units when using a carb. Wouldn't you just need a/several accelerator pumps? I use a Holley electric pump in line on the frame rail personally.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
Likes: 6
From: Jonesborough, TN
The accelerator pump is actually part of the carburetor. You can use an electric pump on the frame rail, as you said, but then you need to delete the mechanical fuel pump. If you have both, a mechanical fuel pump failure can lead to the electric pump filling your crankcase with fuel. Not a good thing.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
Likes: 6
From: Jonesborough, TN
59 Daddy O,
Switching to a 351W is a good thing for a heavier vehicle like our trucks. If you have a mechanical fuel pump mounted on the engine, disable or remove the electric fuel pumps. If you want to keep the electric fuel pump, I would definitely run a fuel pressure regulator to make sure that the fuel pressure to the carb is within specs for the carb. Other than that, a DS2 distributor swap, if it has the TFI ignition module, and if it has original intake and carb, eventually swap in an aftermarket intake and 4 barrel carb.
Should be relatively easy, and make a big difference. Good luck.
Switching to a 351W is a good thing for a heavier vehicle like our trucks. If you have a mechanical fuel pump mounted on the engine, disable or remove the electric fuel pumps. If you want to keep the electric fuel pump, I would definitely run a fuel pressure regulator to make sure that the fuel pressure to the carb is within specs for the carb. Other than that, a DS2 distributor swap, if it has the TFI ignition module, and if it has original intake and carb, eventually swap in an aftermarket intake and 4 barrel carb.
Should be relatively easy, and make a big difference. Good luck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 983
Likes: 49
From: Northern Kentucky
I'm about to do the same thing except the truck involved is an '89. All of this info has been gleaned from the 1987-1996 forum.
You can bypass the high-pressure pump on the frame and use a by-pass type fuel pressure regulator with the in-tank pump, along with removing the mechanical pump on the engine and using a block-off plate.
The other alternative is to remove both electric pumps and extend the pick-up on the sending unit to the same length that the pump had, so as to pick up gas from the same place in the tank. Re-install filter sock on extension. If you go this route, I was told that you also have to crimp off the return line to the tank. Then you just use the mechanical pump. My swap is slightly more complicated in that I don't have the DS-2 wires already installed like you do.
Don't forget to get the throttle cable with the 351W as the fuel injection cable will be much too long.
You can bypass the high-pressure pump on the frame and use a by-pass type fuel pressure regulator with the in-tank pump, along with removing the mechanical pump on the engine and using a block-off plate.
The other alternative is to remove both electric pumps and extend the pick-up on the sending unit to the same length that the pump had, so as to pick up gas from the same place in the tank. Re-install filter sock on extension. If you go this route, I was told that you also have to crimp off the return line to the tank. Then you just use the mechanical pump. My swap is slightly more complicated in that I don't have the DS-2 wires already installed like you do.
Don't forget to get the throttle cable with the 351W as the fuel injection cable will be much too long.
Last edited by whisler; Nov 12, 2013 at 04:03 PM. Reason: Additional thoughts
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 8
From: Indian Falls, New York
The accelerator pump is actually part of the carburetor. You can use an electric pump on the frame rail, as you said, but then you need to delete the mechanical fuel pump. If you have both, a mechanical fuel pump failure can lead to the electric pump filling your crankcase with fuel. Not a good thing.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I have an '86 F-150 longbed 4x4, 302, 4 spd. I recently found a 351 H.O. from an '85 Bronco for $400.00. I want to pull the underpowered 302 out and install the 351w. I know I'll need to take the ign control module from the Bronco, but what else do I need to get? The 302 is fuel injected, and the 351w is carbureted, what other mods do I need to do?? Can I run just the Low pressure in tank pumps, and eliminate the High pressure frame mount fuel pump, or do I need to do something else all together?
Also, IIRC the 302's exhaust manifolds are shorter due to the shorter block height. So to retain the same exhaust system you have to use the HO's exhaust manifolds. However, they are funky. There's a heat riser block that goes on the driver's side manifold outlet which makes it the same length as the passenger's side. However, it has a vacuum-controlled valve in it that is supposed to work in conjunction with another valve in the intake manifold to regulate exhaust heat to the carb. I've seen several of them but never a set that works. The one in the intake manifold carbons up and/or rusts out and becomes useless. And the controls and vacuum lines are rarely intact. I would ensure both of them are blocked open and ditch the controls since many millions of 351W's got along just fine w/o those valves. However, they weren't running that Holley/Autolite 4180 carb, so maybe that's why.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks guys, I knew about the dizzy, and the throttle cable. I'm thinking I'll probably need the "Y" pipe for the exhaust, or just run headers and dual exhaust. Engine wiring harness, I'll defiantly snag that as well (I didn't think of that one), what do I do to get around the computer?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
If you use the DS-II dizzy, the blue grommet module, and the wiring harness you have gotten around the computer. It may be trying to control other functions, like the EGR valve, but it can't do it properly with all else having been taken away. And the early computers had wiring that was separate from that of the rest of the truck. I don't know if that is true of yours, but is so the wiring can be removed.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
That's good to know Gary. I have less than $1000.00 total into the truck so far and yesterday a guy offerd me $2500.00 for it. I might just sell it and put the money into my '59 F100, don't know yet.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Cstout
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Nov 2, 2015 07:48 PM
mr99ranger
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Mar 30, 2011 06:04 PM
sanfortandson
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Nov 18, 2008 09:39 AM
pedal2themedal
General Automotive Discussion
24
Mar 12, 2005 12:26 AM
herothc2003
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
10
Jan 9, 2005 01:56 PM