351w engine build suggestions

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 11, 2013 | 08:35 PM

BuiltFordTough302

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 82

Likes: 0

From: Birch Harbor, ME

351w engine build suggestions

Hello, I'm in the planning stages of my first engine build. I am swapping a 351w into a 1978 F150 4x4 short bed on 35's with 4:10 gears. I'd like something with good low end and mid range power. I could use some help putting together a parts list that will keep me in a safe range as far as compression ratio for pump gas. Any suggestions for aftermarket heads, pistons and cam selection would be much appreciated. As far as intakes, I'm leaning towards the Weiand Stealth topped with a 650 cfm carb.

Dec 11, 2013 | 10:40 PM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

GT40 heads at a minimum and select pistons based on the combustion chamber size to end up with no more than 9.5:1 static CR. What year is the 351 you're building? A roller cam is the way to go these days but it's expensive to put one in an older block, if you could start with a '94+ core it's a lot cheaper to do.

Dec 19, 2013 | 02:43 PM

1990f150kid

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 232

Likes: 0

GT40 heads, headers, preferably long tube with a high flow exhaust, 2.5in into a 3in all the way back, a good low end cam which will give you massive low and mid range and a good distributor. Heck maybe even 1.7 roller rockers. should be well above the 300hpmark and well near 400lb-ft and with that set up probably the best gas milage nd have a perfectly reliable and powerful motor. for mine ive got the headers, rockers and cam ready to go, just waiting on my gt40 headers to be ported and polished.