I recently bought a 87 f-250 and had plans on building a “sleeper” once the engine or trans went out. Last week the motor finally blew and now Is my chance to build it up. Sounds like marbles in the valve covers but still has oil pressure and runs decent. I have the engine and trans pulled but before tearing it all down I wanted to see what options I had on building the motor. I’ve looked around and seen that most 351 blocks and cranks can handle around 500hp with not many issues. Is that true or should I invest in a high performance crank. I was also wondering what are some good choices to get as much hp out of this engine as possible without it blowing to pieces. So far I think I need high performance rods and pistons, valve springs, push rods, headers, and possibly heads. Am I on the right track or way off. Not really seeing much on people doing this to their trucks. I appreciate the help and advice.

 

You aren’t seeing much on 351W engine builds? Maybe your search foo is bad. What is your goal, budget, use for the truck?

A lot of the builds in this forum are limited by the SD computer, a mass air swap or an aftermarket tuner. Since your ‘87 is carbureted you aren’t limited by the PCM.

 

Look up Richard Holdener on Youtube. He has a lot of videos on the 351w, as well as a "big bang" version where he turbocharges a junkyard version and tries to blow it up. I think it made over 1k hp before he ran out of waste gate. Anyhow, 500hp is plenty find on these bottom ends. And as stated above, I think there are a ton of conversations around building a 351w.

 

Lots of factors to consider. How fast you want to go? How much you got? More seriously: Budget? Intended use? Power goals? Boost or naturally aspirated?

​​​​​ Tons of mild builds on this site; usually aimed at pretty normal truck use (towing, hauling, etc so retain good low end torque), modest budget, and ballpark 300 hp/400 lb ft. But as stated, that's usually within confines of SD EFI and factory injectors, as that really keeps budget in check. There's a few on here way beyond that too.

 

I don’t want to go crazy on price but can definitely spend a good amount on the engine. Probably around 3000 max. I want to be able to have as much hp as possible while still being able to drive on the road normally. I see 351 forums and builds but most are for the mustangs and I figured they would be slightly different due to the engine bay design.

 

You are going to go through that $3K pretty fast. Your old block will need to be freshened up. New heads, camshaft, pistons....?

Different due to engine bay design? No. The size of the engine is the same regardless of what vehicle it is in. Generally, you would build a Mustang engine for high end horsepower while a truck needs more low end torque to get all that weight moving.

 

Member here, Briansshop just sold his turbo'd 351w (stock bottom end) and running low 10's, in 1/4 mile, at the tune of 800hp.
here is a link to a few builds enjoy-->87 f250 5.8l build ford-trucks.com

 

3K isn't going to do much. You have a broken engine, need to find out what's wrong with it first,then a realistic goal on HP. "As much as possible", and budget dont go together. 500hp? You can do that with a good stock shortblock assy,but everything else - heads,cam,intake,and supporting mods would be needed also. And then there's the transmission.

 

I spent about $3000 on my build. That included buying a used roller cam motor for $550 as a base (vs the worn non-roller that was damaged & in the truck). GT40P heads with upgraded springs, headers, 1.7 ratio roller rockers, fresh lifters, stock cam, stock bottom end but refreshed (crank checked & polished at machine shop, block hot tanked & magnafluxed then honed, new rings, all new bearings correctly sized, new oil pump, oil pump shaft), 5.8L lower intake ported to mate with 5.0L truck upper. Not tuned, stock injectors, but I suspect its lean when I get down near sea level & run it hard. Runs well but it's no monster.

Your stock cam and exhaust are your biggest limiters right now. Next are heads, then intake. I'd get a healthy bottom end lined out, a new cam, and headers, then see what you have left in funds. Decide early on if you want to go with roller cam vs flat tappet.

 

found that it snapped the top of the rod and was just kicking around in the cylinder. Block is trashed. Found a used fuel injected 351 for $100 for a friend. Comes running with all accessories. Just going to swap the carb intake on it. Been looking around at prices and decided on only doing a few things at the moment to get some hp out of the motor. I’m going to do a cam, long tube headers and Valve springs and push rod kit. And if I’m not past my price limit I will do high flow heads as well.

 

Doesn’t your engine have v- belts? The newer engine would have a serpentine belt.