engine swap
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15
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From: WISCONSIN
engine swap
when i put that 351w in my 1988 f150 someone said i cant cause of the knock sensor what would happen if i dont put that in and just use what i got.opps i am going from fuel injected 302 to a carb 351w and i want to put the fuel injection on the 351. the 351w is an 1984.oh also can i put the pulley system on the 351w. the 302 has the serp. belt setup. please help ii really want my 351w in my new truck.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: S.E. Michigan
Swap
To put EFI (fuel injection) on the 351 you will need to get a new lower intake since the 351W is taller and wider than the 302. The pulleys should work from the 302 to the 351W, as will the bellhousing. Can,t help on the knock sensor but, I don't think deleting it from the system will not work either without some computer mods.
Another item will be the X-over pipe, it'll be short in reach to the manifolds since the 302 is about an inch or so shorter.
If possible, try and get the computer and wire harness from the donor truck. I think your life will be less stressful.
This is some of the fun on making the switch. The hard part will be, twisting the key and getting it to run.
The reward will be driving it
Another item will be the X-over pipe, it'll be short in reach to the manifolds since the 302 is about an inch or so shorter.
If possible, try and get the computer and wire harness from the donor truck. I think your life will be less stressful.
This is some of the fun on making the switch. The hard part will be, twisting the key and getting it to run.
The reward will be driving it
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: S.E. Michigan
One more thing I forgot to mention. You will need to get a reverse rotation water pump in using the serpintine belt. It's rotation is oposite of the pump on the engine you are putting into your truck.Not sure just what year the change occured, but, if the 351W has a v-belt the rotation will cause major overheating.
Also, get and record the engine number that is cast into the block just above the starter (looking from the bottom up) for future use on ordering parts. There were some minor engineering changes that WILL affect the fit of parts.
Good Luck
I'm going through the same with my 92' F-150 4X4 and a 351W built & rated about 400 HP. Goin after those Hemi guys
HAL_419
Also, get and record the engine number that is cast into the block just above the starter (looking from the bottom up) for future use on ordering parts. There were some minor engineering changes that WILL affect the fit of parts.
Good Luck
I'm going through the same with my 92' F-150 4X4 and a 351W built & rated about 400 HP. Goin after those Hemi guys
HAL_419
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Petersburg, MI
You will need the upper and lower intake from a 351, they are both different and not interchangeable. You will also need the distributor(diff size oil pump drive shaft), the flex plate and harmonic balancer from the 351(302 balanced at 50 oz and 351 is 28 oz), and you will need the computer from a 351 truck, it will plug into the wiring harness that's already on your truck though. You don't need to worry about the knock sensor because the 351 didn't have it, only the 302 and you need the 351 computer.
I'm doing the same swap in my Bronco right now and have all the parts. I may be selling some of them because I'm getting high perf. stuff on some of it.
I'm doing the same swap in my Bronco right now and have all the parts. I may be selling some of them because I'm getting high perf. stuff on some of it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
You will also need the distributor(diff size oil pump drive shaft)
I would try running the 302 computer first to see what it can do. There are several people on this board who are running a 351 off of a 302 computer. It's not the ideal thing to do, but it should work. As RLKBOB said, the wiring harness is the same, all you'll need to do when you update is change out the computers. As far as I know, waterpump/timing cover/accessories will all transfer over from the 302. Then you'd just need a little bit longer serpentine belt, but everything would be set up ready to roll.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Petersburg, MI
Deck height has nothing to do with it. The Visteon plant I work at makes Motorcraft distributors and I've been talking with the guy who makes the older ones like we have. The only difference between 302 and 351 is the end of the shaft for the oil pump. 302 is a 1/4" hex and 351 is a 5/16" hex. They use the same base assembly, same gear, same stator and armature, collar and the length of shaft is the same. I just had a new one made for my 351 build, the dealer wants $800 if you can believe that. You can get a few billet racing distributors for the price the dealer wants for a stock one.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
Hmm, I didn't know that. I knew that the distributors were different, but I thought the 351 distributor was taller. Thanks for clearing that up.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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RLKBON....what year is your bronco because i am looking into doing the 302/351 swap for my 88 and ive called around to some engine places and they said id have to change the computer/fuel injectors and fuel rail(because the 351 is wider than the 302)/ oil pan/ intake and some other stuff...i dont know alot about engines so if you could give me a list or something so i can get a price for everything im gonna need i would love it...thanks
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Petersburg, MI
The list of what is needed for the swap is all stated in the earlier posts on this thread. My Bronco is a 1990. I was told I would need different fuel rails too, haven't verified it yet but I'm pretty sure you do. The 351 intake is wider so the flex hoses at the front and back of the fuel rails needs to be longer. There is some slack in them but I don't know if it's enough to fit them on a 351 intake. Not an issue for me because I bought a complete 351 from intake to oil pan that I'm rebuilding. I'm looking into using an Edelbrock intake though instead of the stock truck intake. If I go Edelbrock then I'll be selling the Ford intake. Oh yeah I forgot to mention the oil pan, that needs to be replaced too. The 351 injectors are the same as the 302s 19# stock and will do fine. The computer does need to be replaced with a 351 computer, but it will plug right in where the current computer is with no modification necessary.