351 4v H.O.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2005
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351 4v H.O.
I'm looking at buying an '85 F-150 that has a 5.8 4V H.O. engine. I own a 5.8 currently but I am not familiar with the older 4v h.o. version. Can anyone give me info on if this is a good performer or not.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: New Mexico
I had one in an 85 Bronco. It had the Holley 4180C carb that I fought constantly. And they are now special order if you can find them at all. The engine is fine but not certain why they call it HO. Except that it became one with gas. The HP specs are like 185 or so. When they are low mileage they run very well. In time the compression goes and the blowby pressure makes Windsor engines very leaky. If I still had it I would have stripped all of the unnecessary vacuum lines and AIR pump, charcoal canisters etc., out because they it because they become problematic after a while. Here in NM, the emissions people only care if the exhaust system and pvc system is intact. Still, it had plenty of strength at 140,000 to propel the old beast up and down the freeways and a some back roads. Expect about 9-11 mpg.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
They have a bigger cam, slightly higher CR and then the 4bbl and holley POS carb (we swap them out and put carters/edlebrock in there). Their power is closer to 200, they are a very good motor when taken care (but that goes with any motor), i would scoop it up if you can the motor won't disappoint.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I am beginning to feel like an idiot! I got my hands on a 351 HO out of a burned up E150 Van for free. The motor sat outside at a buddies house through the winter uncovered on the ground. When I finally had a chance to put it on an engine stand and tear it apart it was too late. When I pulled the drain plug to drain the oil, about a half gallon of water came out. I pulled the heads and intake, two of the cylinders were heavily rusted. It would not turn over, the only thing I could see that was salvagable was the heads. Oh I hate myself right now! I wanted to build this motor up to around 400- 450 hp...a hot street engine, and drop it into a late 70s early 80s 2wd shortbox F150. It would have been my "Rice Killer", I scrapped the block and sold the heads. I hope I can find another one!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 984
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Originally Posted by Pkupman82
I am beginning to feel like an idiot! I got my hands on a 351 HO out of a burned up E150 Van for free. The motor sat outside at a buddies house through the winter uncovered on the ground. When I finally had a chance to put it on an engine stand and tear it apart it was too late. When I pulled the drain plug to drain the oil, about a half gallon of water came out. I pulled the heads and intake, two of the cylinders were heavily rusted. It would not turn over, the only thing I could see that was salvagable was the heads. Oh I hate myself right now! I wanted to build this motor up to around 400- 450 hp...a hot street engine, and drop it into a late 70s early 80s 2wd shortbox F150. It would have been my "Rice Killer", I scrapped the block and sold the heads. I hope I can find another one!
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 65
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I have the 1984 351 HO (high output) rated at 215HP I think.
Great engine, but it has the POS Holley 4 bbl with a choke that has been problematic......I keep hearing Edlebrock stuff.
Is this carb worth the upgrade?
Great engine, but it has the POS Holley 4 bbl with a choke that has been problematic......I keep hearing Edlebrock stuff.
Is this carb worth the upgrade?
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Near St.Paul
In 85 the trucks could be had with a 2 barrel 351w or the 351w H.O. The 351 H.O. is a roller cam engine much like the 302 H.O. that went in the Mustang/Capri 5 speed versions. Both were rated at 210 hp net but the carburators varied slightly. A guy at fordsix worked on the dyno at Ford when they developed these engines. He said the 302 H.O. actually put out about 235 hp net. If you go looking for a 302 H.O. the 85 Mustang/Capris with automatics used a non roller cam block and were fuel injected and rated at 185 hp. The 84 302 H.O. with automatics were rated at 165 hp in Mustang/Capris.
I talked to a guy last summer who had given to his grandson an 85 F150 351 H.O. with 7,000 original miles. The grandson had ran it into a tree and he was looking to sell it. I gave him my number and he hasn't called me back and I don't know where he lives. AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!
I talked to a guy last summer who had given to his grandson an 85 F150 351 H.O. with 7,000 original miles. The grandson had ran it into a tree and he was looking to sell it. I gave him my number and he hasn't called me back and I don't know where he lives. AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 508
Likes: 2
From: Easthampton, Ma.
I have had (and have) a lot of 82-86 Ford trucks.
Last year I needed a good 351 for my bucket truck, an 82 F350 (cherry picker)
I selected 3 doners from the yard and pulled their motors. 2 were 82 and 85 351's w/ 2bbl carbs. 1 was a 85 Bronco w/ 351 HO (original untouched)
I was looking for a good short block to "freshen up" with bearings, cam, timing chain and redo the valves (just short of new pistons) to get a couple more years out of this truck.
In disassembling these motors (all 3 turned out to need complete rebuilds) I expected to see some difference between the 2 bbl motors and the HO
The only difference I found was the HO's cam had .010" more lift on both the intake and exhaust lobes and the 4 bbl carb and air cleaner (also had a mile of vacuum hoses)
The blocks were the same
The cranks were the same
The rods were the same
The pistons were the same
The cam was a flat tappet (non-roller)
The heads were the same (the compression ratios were the same)
These motors are "nothing special"
And seeing that it's 20 years old, it most likely needs to be rebuilt!
Good luck with you're decision!
Steve G.
Last year I needed a good 351 for my bucket truck, an 82 F350 (cherry picker)
I selected 3 doners from the yard and pulled their motors. 2 were 82 and 85 351's w/ 2bbl carbs. 1 was a 85 Bronco w/ 351 HO (original untouched)
I was looking for a good short block to "freshen up" with bearings, cam, timing chain and redo the valves (just short of new pistons) to get a couple more years out of this truck.
In disassembling these motors (all 3 turned out to need complete rebuilds) I expected to see some difference between the 2 bbl motors and the HO
The only difference I found was the HO's cam had .010" more lift on both the intake and exhaust lobes and the 4 bbl carb and air cleaner (also had a mile of vacuum hoses)
The blocks were the same
The cranks were the same
The rods were the same
The pistons were the same
The cam was a flat tappet (non-roller)
The heads were the same (the compression ratios were the same)
These motors are "nothing special"
And seeing that it's 20 years old, it most likely needs to be rebuilt!
Good luck with you're decision!
Steve G.
Last edited by 8 Lugs; Jun 11, 2005 at 09:10 AM.
