Help! Just bought a 1978 F150 with a V-8, but am told that they were shipped that year with either a 302 or 351, and each requires different parts? Any way to tell which one I have short of pulling the engine to get the casting #s? Can you tell by the VIN #?
Thanks, Kevin Swinford

 

Hi - I had a posting in regards to the 351 Windsor and Cleavland - look for it as there is information in it on the 302 as well - ie how to tell which is which.
Cheers,

Keep it Rubber Side Down!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Sep-02 AT 07:47 PM (EST)]That helped some. There are 6 bolts on each valve cover, so it could still be a 351Windsor, or a 302. Any more ideas?
Thanks!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Sep-02 AT 07:52 PM (EST)]I've got an idea - click on my gallery (my truck picture on the left) as a picture is worth a thousand words - my Good Truck has a 302 and there are pictures of the motor. My parts truck (aka Blue) has a 351 M and once again there are pictures of the motor. Once you see them you will notice a difference.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!

Keep it Rubber Side Down!

 

Thanks. Only difference I can see though is that your 302 has an a/c compressor, and your 351 doesn't. Maybe I'm missing somthing. :-)

 

hi
if there are still the origanal valve cover on it you can look at the sticker on the driverside. it might be allready be scraped off, but check anyway.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=2082&.jpg

 

Franklin 2, thats is the best thing I have ever seen posted, thank you very much, Well worth my 2 positive points

 

post the vin. if opriginal engine is still there i can tell ya what it is

 

I found the original window sticker and it says I have a 5.0 302. Just to be sure it's the original, the VIN is F15GKCH0992.

 

kswnfrd - as Franklin2's sketch shows, the heads & valve covers are in located differently - the 351 is wider in looks - if you look at my engine shots again you will see this (sorry about the A/C pump!). Also if you look closely, you will note the difference in the valve covers.
For the vins, go to Mil1ion's decoding page - he's got it covered when it comes to Vin #'s! Very useful page.

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/FordTruckCodes.html


Keep it Rubber Side Down!

 

78 F150 302 cid 2bbl built in kansas city.

Wiz

http://www.clubfte.com/users/thewiz427/index.html

 

 

A 302 has a different fireing order than a 351. According to my service manual.

 

If it not long and skiny I cant help.LOL