351W Questions
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Trailering
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
351W Questions
I have a 1987 F150 with a 351 V8. The engine blew up, cracked a piston and a cylinder head. I bought some aluminum heads but need 'hardened' pushrods because the aluminum heads have guide plates. Any suggestions for pushrods that are not outrageously expensive?
Also, some sites are showing short pushrods for this thing, like are used for roller lifters, but the cam that was in it was a flat tappet hydraulic. Was that not an original cam?
For what it's worth, the truck is an '87 but the engine numbers indicate that it was made in 1986. It had a Holley 4V carb on it and the previous owner told me it was original.
Help?
Also, some sites are showing short pushrods for this thing, like are used for roller lifters, but the cam that was in it was a flat tappet hydraulic. Was that not an original cam?
For what it's worth, the truck is an '87 but the engine numbers indicate that it was made in 1986. It had a Holley 4V carb on it and the previous owner told me it was original.
Help?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Do the heads also have stud mount rockers? If so you can't use the OEM rockers.
You will need a pushrod length checker because standard length pushrods are not likely to be correct here. An '86 that came with a 4bbl could mean it was a 351HO, the cam in that motor was a flat tappet and was a pretty decent RV grind.
You will need a pushrod length checker because standard length pushrods are not likely to be correct here. An '86 that came with a 4bbl could mean it was a 351HO, the cam in that motor was a flat tappet and was a pretty decent RV grind.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,811
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What aluminum heads did you buy? What type of rocker arms? I agree with Conanski that you will need to measure for the correct pushrod length. The carburetor and a flat tappet is correct for an ‘87. The 351W didn’t get fuel injection until ‘88 and no roller camshaft until ‘94.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,401
Likes: 2,606
From: Near Salt Lake City
Well, the new aluminum heads were not fifty bucks right?
Get the expensive hardened pushrods they recommend
After measuring the length you need of course
Those heads should be set up with screw in studs and adjustable rockers
Means you will just use a fulcrum like a Boss 302 has with no rectangle at the bottom to go into the slot
If your existing rockers are stamped steel
You should be able to use them with Boss 302 fulcrums
Get the expensive hardened pushrods they recommend
After measuring the length you need of course
Those heads should be set up with screw in studs and adjustable rockers
Means you will just use a fulcrum like a Boss 302 has with no rectangle at the bottom to go into the slot
If your existing rockers are stamped steel
You should be able to use them with Boss 302 fulcrums
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
Sorry. Had the flu the last few days. Not doing much computer sufing.
I got Summit Racing Pro Series Stainless Rocker Arms and FloTek heads
Probably not the greatest heads but don't have much to spend on this project. Got too many other things going on.
The short block is pretty much stock except the cam is CompCams High Energy 252H Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft & Lifter Kit
At this moment it looks like I might not get around to putting things together for a couple months till I get the current project cleaned up, so can't measure the pushrod length yet.
I was looking for a little advice because I haven't worked on a Ford small block for about 30 years.
Thanks
I got Summit Racing Pro Series Stainless Rocker Arms and FloTek heads
Probably not the greatest heads but don't have much to spend on this project. Got too many other things going on.
The short block is pretty much stock except the cam is CompCams High Energy 252H Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft & Lifter Kit
At this moment it looks like I might not get around to putting things together for a couple months till I get the current project cleaned up, so can't measure the pushrod length yet.
I was looking for a little advice because I haven't worked on a Ford small block for about 30 years.
Thanks
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