302 or 351W
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
Ok. Everyone is giving the nod for the Windsor. I'll dare to be different and say rebuild the 302 with a roller cam conversion, .030 over, maybe stroked to 347, 9.5 to 1 compression, iron GT40 heads (or aftermarket alum if you have the $$), preferably factory mass air fuel injected 
. This combo will give power to rival even some of the built 351W's. The last time I was at the dunes, I suprised more than a few guys with built Windsors that I beat in impromptu races on the beach. Even being under geared and over tire-d with a pretty worn out 5.0.
The Windsor has several advantages though. The bottom end is much stronger, and with the right block, will hold up to a lot of hp. Because of the size of the mains, the Windsor tends to rev a little slower than a 289/302. And they aren't the high winders that the 289/302's are. But the longer stroke = more torque down low which is what you need to get moving.
I have to say that my next engine will be a Windsor. An injected 408 stroker...
Jason
. This combo will give power to rival even some of the built 351W's. The last time I was at the dunes, I suprised more than a few guys with built Windsors that I beat in impromptu races on the beach. Even being under geared and over tire-d with a pretty worn out 5.0. The Windsor has several advantages though. The bottom end is much stronger, and with the right block, will hold up to a lot of hp. Because of the size of the mains, the Windsor tends to rev a little slower than a 289/302. And they aren't the high winders that the 289/302's are. But the longer stroke = more torque down low which is what you need to get moving.
I have to say that my next engine will be a Windsor. An injected 408 stroker...
Jason
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
From: Bel Air, MD
With the 351-w when stroked, I was told that the header primarys should be larger than 1.5". "To Small" I ask this because, several places I checked that sells headers for the 351 in the Early Bronco only have 1.5" primarys. Custom built headers are big bucks from what I understand. I want to use long tube coated headers instead of shortys. Any input? I only have about one week to get my ducks in a row... Need to make a decision. Thanks guys...
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
I know of a couple of stroker 347's that have well over 100K miles on them. One of them gets regular flogging on the drag strip.
I had the same concerns when I first started looking into stroker kits.
There is no adverse effects or inherrent problems due to stroking the 302. Lengthening the stroke puts very little, if no, extra strain on the rotating assembly. But it all depends on rod ratio and what pistons and rod lengths you run.
Jason
I had the same concerns when I first started looking into stroker kits.
There is no adverse effects or inherrent problems due to stroking the 302. Lengthening the stroke puts very little, if no, extra strain on the rotating assembly. But it all depends on rod ratio and what pistons and rod lengths you run.
Jason
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
I think it would be an issue if you are building a race engine that will see high rpms for an extended time. But for a street/ trail application, I don't see an advantage to go larger. I believe that the larger primaries will cause a loss in low end power actually moving it up in the RPM range.
All of the stroker motors I have seen used a standard application Bronco header, or Mustang shortie headers. The problem that I could see going with larger primaries is fitting them in the tight Bronco chassis.
Jason
All of the stroker motors I have seen used a standard application Bronco header, or Mustang shortie headers. The problem that I could see going with larger primaries is fitting them in the tight Bronco chassis.
Jason
New User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
About the oil pan!
This might not seem like a bronco question but, I have a 1975 Bricklin and it has a 351w with an oil pan from the bronco/van. It has a rear sump but it is more in the middle to clear the bronco's exhaust, at least that is what I am told. What years did Ford use this pan and on what vehicles?
Thanks.
Thanks.
New User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
302 to 351 conversion
I did this conversion a few years back. It is pretty straint forward. Motor mounts and headers were compatible. Radiator is sufficient ( yet I already had an aftermarket 4 row). My donor motor had the water pump inlet on the wrong side and the oil pan had to be changed. Despite popular opinion, the van pan does not provide adequate clearance. I crushed mine the first time in the dunes. PAW has a fox body conversion pan that appears to work, yetr i havent installed mine yet. The van pan is functioning, just dented. Due to the deck height of the 351, the heads are further apart and do require a small bracket to split the diffence. My donor motor onlt had one, and i had to make the other. Im sure i have forgotten something but i hope this helps.
Forgot to mention, There is a huge power difference, just dont cam it to high. Having built both of these engines, I can say that the 351 has a way stronger bottom end.
Jason
Forgot to mention, There is a huge power difference, just dont cam it to high. Having built both of these engines, I can say that the 351 has a way stronger bottom end.
Jason
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 294
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From: Jefferson WI
I currently have a 351W in my 69 and am in the process of dropping in a 302 FI from a 91 mustang. I like the 351W but am trying to get something that runs slightly better on the trails. That 351W and the off camber stuff doesnt agree with my bronco.
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