Engine Questions
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Freshman User
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Engine Questions
Hey guys, I am relatively new with stuff so i got a few questions for ya, whats a better engine, 351M or 351W, what are the differences and what are the factory specs of an 89 351W. People keep telling me that winsors are crap and i got nothing to say back to them to sut them up because i really am not familiar with them, thanks
Rich
Rich
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oregon
Hmmmm................I my opinion, just mine alone, I wouldn't waste any time or money on a 351M. A 400, maybe; A 351C, sure.
Any engine will run like a raped ape if you dump enough cubic dollars into it. But what's the point? The only thing a 351M has going for it is that it's part of the Cleveland engine family. Barely.
Just what is supposed to be crap about a Windsor? Every engine has weak points, and the 351W is no exception. But it was in production for over 30 years, is easily modified, and parts are everywhere. Can't say that about a 351M.
Basic difference-- bore and stroke are the same, but the 351W is considered a small block, and the Cleveland family is kind of in between a small and big block. There's a lot of internal differences, and only a couple of parts interchange.
To be fair, the 351M was born as a mid-70's smog motor, was slow and heavy and couldn't breathe (I think they were all 2-bbls.). It was basically a compromise built to fill the gap after Ford dropped the 351C. It wasn't in production long enough for anybody to take seriously, and bolt-on parts couldn't make 'em run. The 351M existed, and that was about it.
Any engine will run like a raped ape if you dump enough cubic dollars into it. But what's the point? The only thing a 351M has going for it is that it's part of the Cleveland engine family. Barely.
Just what is supposed to be crap about a Windsor? Every engine has weak points, and the 351W is no exception. But it was in production for over 30 years, is easily modified, and parts are everywhere. Can't say that about a 351M.
Basic difference-- bore and stroke are the same, but the 351W is considered a small block, and the Cleveland family is kind of in between a small and big block. There's a lot of internal differences, and only a couple of parts interchange.
To be fair, the 351M was born as a mid-70's smog motor, was slow and heavy and couldn't breathe (I think they were all 2-bbls.). It was basically a compromise built to fill the gap after Ford dropped the 351C. It wasn't in production long enough for anybody to take seriously, and bolt-on parts couldn't make 'em run. The 351M existed, and that was about it.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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The 351W is a member of what is arguable Ford's most successful engine family, and is basically a tall deck version of the 302. Because of this, there are a lot of aftermarket parts that will work with it such as heads, cams, exhaust components, intakes and so on, plus it is relatively easy to fit up with a variety of transmissions and in a variety of vehicles.
Some notable differences between the 351W and 302 are a larger diameter crankshaft, heavier webbing in the block, and 1/2" head bolts. The outboard head bolts on a 351W do not protrude into the water jacket like they do on a 302 either.
Some people say that because of the larger diameter crankshaft journals and the resulting increased bearing speed that the 351W is not as well suited to high RPM operation as the 302, however when your engine is built right a 351W can easily handle speeds in the 7000 RPM range. This is likely much higher than what most truck users will consider, so I wouldn't worry about the bearing speed issue. On the plus side, the stock 351W crank is way stronger than a 302 crank because it is so much heavier!
In a comparison between the 351M and 351W from the point of view of which engine to use in a new project, I don't think you will find very many people who will pick the 351M. A lot of the criticisms I hear of the 351W are rooted in early 80's wisdom when there were not a lot of parts for Windsor series Ford engines out there. Today, there are at least 25 different choices of heads alone for these engines, and they are arguably cheaper and easier to build than the much vaunted Chevy 350. For anyone who tells you otherwise, let them eat your dust.
-Matthew
Some notable differences between the 351W and 302 are a larger diameter crankshaft, heavier webbing in the block, and 1/2" head bolts. The outboard head bolts on a 351W do not protrude into the water jacket like they do on a 302 either.
Some people say that because of the larger diameter crankshaft journals and the resulting increased bearing speed that the 351W is not as well suited to high RPM operation as the 302, however when your engine is built right a 351W can easily handle speeds in the 7000 RPM range. This is likely much higher than what most truck users will consider, so I wouldn't worry about the bearing speed issue. On the plus side, the stock 351W crank is way stronger than a 302 crank because it is so much heavier!
In a comparison between the 351M and 351W from the point of view of which engine to use in a new project, I don't think you will find very many people who will pick the 351M. A lot of the criticisms I hear of the 351W are rooted in early 80's wisdom when there were not a lot of parts for Windsor series Ford engines out there. Today, there are at least 25 different choices of heads alone for these engines, and they are arguably cheaper and easier to build than the much vaunted Chevy 350. For anyone who tells you otherwise, let them eat your dust.
-Matthew
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Independence, MO
The 351W is one of the best small blocks ford ever produced. With a few mods they'll make good power, the have a beefy botom end so they hold up well, and there are lots of aftermarket items availible for them, There down fall, is as with all the windsors. head flow. get the heads to flow and they'll kick a..! 
DW
DW
