Hi all,
I'm a new guy and recently got a 71 F100 2WD and am just starting to learn how to work on it and get it running. First things first, was trying to determine the engine so I know what belts to buy, fuel pump, etc. I did the VIN decoder which said 302 V8, but there's a "vehicle emission control information" sticker on the engine that says this... (see pic)

Is this saying it's a 351? I'm not familiar with these stickers.

Any thoughts/guidance is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Unless someone slapped a Windsor engine decal on an FE, looks to me like your 71 has a 351W or 302.

Post a broader pic of your engine. If the valve cover overlays the intake is an FE. If there is a vertical casting rib next to the distributor hole then it's a 351W.

 

Thanks! Don't laugh, but here's 3 "farm fresh" pics coming from someone not knowing what exactly to point at. But hey, I'm learning.

Let me know if you can see any clues under the dirt... ; )

 

No problem. We're here to help.

My bad. I misread your post and thought the VIN decoded to an FE.

That's either a 302 or a 351W. Looks for a vertical casting rib next to the distributor hole for a 351W... no rib and it's a 302. ..the engine may have been swapped.

 

Hard to tell with the air cleaner assembly on it if it's a 302 or a 351W. If the width of the intake (between the heads) is around 9", it's a 302. If the intake width is 10-3/4", it's a 351W.

Another visual identifier. The hole for the distributor will be very close to the rail where the forward seal for the intake goes. The distibutor hole for a 351W will be much lower, in relation to this rail.

 

Those pics you provided are great - that should be exactly what I need to know - I'll have to grab a flashlight and go see if I can tell... (dark here).

 

Thanks Ultra...

I'm on a teensy phone with few reference files.

... and plainly visible is the vertical casting rib on the 351W.

 

Evidently, we were writing at the same time. You just hit the post button before I did. I had forgotten about the rib but remembered the distributor hole being right at the top of the block on a 302.

I hardly ever use a PC or a laptop. Pretty much everything is done from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phone.

 

Ok, distributor hole is the lower one, so must be the 351W. Is there something special about the 351W? Or was this likely more of a "well, sorry you blew your motor... I don't have another 302 in stock, but I do have a 351W available -- want me to put that in for you instead?" Question 2: So when I go to auto parts store to get a new fuel pump, and they say, "351W in your 71? I don't see that in my list of options..." Is there a different car/truck that this engine was common in, so they can find out what fuel pump (or other part) I need? Thanks again - I really appreciate it.

 

The 351W wasn't stock to a Bumpside. They weren't installed until the Bullnose trucks came along ('80-'86 body style). It was also used in cars --the first use in a Mustang was 1969.

The 351W will give you an immediate 49 cubic inch advantage over the 302 so, that's a plus. The block casting numbers and date will be located at the right, rear side of the block. You would have to remove the starter to see them.

 

Ok, thanks guys - much appreciated!

 

Since your engine is a junkyard takeout, one way to find the date of your engine is to gently clean the emissions sticker of crud. Look for a model year date, or the sticker I believe IIRC will have a part/ID number on it starting with E for 80's. Look for the same on other parts to help date it.

 

Welcome to the forum! You're already learning from the pros.

 

Thanks for the tip, Rich - I think the date might be on the right hand side of the sticker, and unfortunately that half of the sticker is worn off/gone, lol.

I'll keep looking around to see if I can find a casting number on it or something. Maybe I can narrow it down that way.

Anyway, on a side note, my local AutoZone hasn't been very helpful. When I was younger, the guys behind the counter could answer most questions. But at this store, I'm not sure you have to know anything about cars in order to get hired. When I ask (what I think are more basic questions) I often get the "deer in the headlights" look back. Also, when I mentioned above the example of "hey, I'm looking in my computer and a 71 F100 didn't come with a 351W...", that's why I was asking if anyone here happened to know what other car/truck model/years might have come with a 351W, so I can just tell the guy behind the counter where to look so to where it will show up in his computer. (It's almost like they can't think outside of what the computer shows them). I think there's a NAPA and an Advance Auto nearby, maybe I'll try them instead to see if this AutoZone is an anomaly, hopefully that's the case and not an indication that the times have changed...

 

Thanks Gary!