351W indentity
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 112
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From: Yelm, WA
351W indentity
I recently purchased a 77 F100 that started out life with a six. Somewhere along the line it was transplanted with a 351W and C4?. I identified the engine as a 351 by the firing order but wonder if there is a way to narrow down the year made. The early 1969-70 models supposedly had larger valve heads.
I bought this for front brakes and power steering in one of my 66 trucks. If the engine is worth freshening up I may use it.
I bought this for front brakes and power steering in one of my 66 trucks. If the engine is worth freshening up I may use it.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 233
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From: Lynnwood, WA
Apart from date codes, etc., you just never know. I'm building a 351W for a friends 69 Moostang Sportsroof (actually building the entire car). It originally came with a 351 3sp and it had a 74 (D4) block and ported 69 (C9) heads with a toploader 4-speed when he purchased it. We're leaving the motor alone apart from a bore 60-over and fresh grind and then adding a TKO 5-speed. Anyway, you just need to look at the casting #'s to see what's what, but you may still need to open it up to know 100%. Personally the I like the 351 W, but by 77 things were on the heavy emission side, so you could build it however you want to now. You could throw some aluminium heads on it if the stocker's are puny. Probably only pay another $300-400 over regrind prices done in the shop.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 306
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From: Fair Grove, MO
I agree with the aluminum head option. They've come down in price considerably and seem to be a much better option as the heads/breathing capabilities of the SBF are the limiting factor to making good power and by the time you pay to have stock iron heads ported you can almost buy a set of aluminums.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 233
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From: Lynnwood, WA
On the 351W I'm building I talked to the owner about the option of aluminum heads, but the machine shop called shortly after and said the heads were fully ported and polished, bigger valves and hardened seats. So they needed only a minor grind and new seals, which he didn't even charge us for. A no brainer. If we needed to do all of that work on stock heads, the aluminum heads would have been the no brainer. I think by '77 you have hardened valve seats, so that's a good chunk of change saved, but they'll be smoggy heads regardless.
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