So it is time to get my engine swap going. I have narrowed down to either a 302W or 351W...not sure if I am going full crate engine or swapping in something used, but I am wondering what are the main things I need to make sure I get with whichever route I choose for ease of swap?

 

a lot of it depends on what you currently have as far as engine and transmission (and any other misc. parts you might already have)...

 

And what your goal is--towing, massive loads?

 

What engine do you currently have.?

 

Sorry for leaving that stuff out..I posted this at the end of a LONG work day LOL

The truck currently is a 302/C6 combo....the end goal currently is a fun roddish type truck...eventual minimum 300hp, shooting for 400 on motor but not needing that immediately

 

302 straight across swap, if it's a crate make sure you know what imbalance the crankshaft is. 300/400 from a 302 is done all the time with enough money and RPM. Personally think that kind of smallblock power would be miserable in a truck and a C6. 351 was optimistically rated at 290 with a 4V in 1969. 351 will leave you looking for a few brackets for accessories, distributor, oil pan and pickup tube. I don't have anything against 302's my 78 has one. Just never thought about more than doubling the horsepower. Might take a little bit of the fun part out of the truck. 351 might be a better base for you in a truck. I did have a 351 in my truck for awhile while rebuilding the 302, noticeable increase in torque.

 

What do you mean by taking the fun out having a truck? Really it won't be used for much of anything "truck" since we already have a truck-truck. lol..this will be more of a cruiser and tire frying type of thing.

On the C6 point, I am thinking that an AOD of some sort will be used in the future if needed but haven't gotten that far yet.

 

Little looser convertor, deeper rear end gears, narrower powerband. They can sound wicked in a 2000-pound AC Cobra and would be. Pickup is a great choice for a tire burner. I just prefer a little more torque at lower rpm range for easier driving. Just my opinion.

 

I am with you...No matter what I go with is gonna be minimum 300 lb/ft torque

 

On eof the main things I was originally asking is if I need to be sure I have a certain weight balancer, certain flywheel etc

 

351's are the same as older smallblocks with 28oz, they never changed. 302 changed sometime around 81/82. My truck has a 84 302 with the 50oz. The engine was new and complete at the time with balancer and AOD flexplate . That's what fit my original C4 transmission. The C6 requires different flexplate, they did make them for the early and late 302 balance installed in trucks and vans. If you have both early and late flexplates and balancers side by side easy to spot difference. Lot on the web to research about exact date of change. Easy thing about 351 is they never did change.

 

No replacement for cubic displacement.

351.