351w vs 390
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: north
351w vs 390
I have a 78 f100 and i want to put another motor in it im buying another 77 ford truck with supposively a good running 390 or i can get my hands on a 351w out of a 80ish ford 3/4 ton. i was wondering wich is the better motor.if anyone nows the hp/torque of these motors anything is appreciated.thanx
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 4
351w vs 390
As the old saw goes "There's no replacement for displacement". The 390 is a great truck motor. That being said, it may not be the best choice for you.
First what motor does your 78 have in it. 78's did not come stock with an FE (390 or 360, and others) but a previous owner could have put one in. If you have an FE in there already then swap in the good 390. If not then since the FE has a unique bell housing you will need to swap in the trans that goes with it. Not a problem if you have a complete running truck, but do you want to do all that work?
351W might be a direct bolt in and less work.
First what motor does your 78 have in it. 78's did not come stock with an FE (390 or 360, and others) but a previous owner could have put one in. If you have an FE in there already then swap in the good 390. If not then since the FE has a unique bell housing you will need to swap in the trans that goes with it. Not a problem if you have a complete running truck, but do you want to do all that work?
351W might be a direct bolt in and less work.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 581
Likes: 2
From: Somerset, Pa
351w vs 390
I had to make the same decision myself.
I chose to stay with the windsor and sale the 390 that I had.
My reasoning was that 390 parts are harder to find and expensive (at least from what I found).
I have had no problems finding parts for my windsor and there are a lot of relatively cheap performance parts.
Another factor is the 390 is a huge heavy engine compared to the windsor and I figure the lighter the engine the better balance/ handeling the truck will have.
Then finally, I just spend a bunch of money on rebuilding my windsor with go fast parts and am extreemly pleased with the performance. So I traded the 390 for a divorced T-case, crossmembers, and driveshafts so I can use my rebuilt c4 with the windsor in my 76 f-150 4x4.
I chose to stay with the windsor and sale the 390 that I had.
My reasoning was that 390 parts are harder to find and expensive (at least from what I found).
I have had no problems finding parts for my windsor and there are a lot of relatively cheap performance parts.
Another factor is the 390 is a huge heavy engine compared to the windsor and I figure the lighter the engine the better balance/ handeling the truck will have.
Then finally, I just spend a bunch of money on rebuilding my windsor with go fast parts and am extreemly pleased with the performance. So I traded the 390 for a divorced T-case, crossmembers, and driveshafts so I can use my rebuilt c4 with the windsor in my 76 f-150 4x4.
