Bolt pattern on a 351C
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Lead Driver
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From: Kuna ID
Bolt pattern on a 351C
I just got a 1972 LTD wagon with a 351C for free. It has 194k miles, and still runs awesome. I want to rebuild this motor and put it in my 67 Mustang which currently has a 351W. I recall being told that the 351C and the 351W had the same bellhousing bolt pattern. Is this true? With the exception of exhaust mods, oil pan, etc., will I be able to just drop this motor in my stang? I would use the tranny in the LTD as it only has 15k miles, but it's an FMX auto, and I would rather keep the toploader 4spd. I currently have in the stang.
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The 351C and 302/351W are definitely 'swappable'..Mustangs of the day came with both. A lot of us Early Bronco folks run the 351C in place of the original 302. But are you certain that LTD is a 351C and not a 400? While still a 'Cleveland/335' engine, the 400 has the 429/460 bell housing pattern and is a taller block than the 351C...
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From: Benbrook, Texas
"Mustangs from late '69 to '74", would be more accurate as none was factory installed in a '67. I think a C would require some cutting to fit in a 64.5 to 68 engine bay. Since you have both motors, you can measure to be sure. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.
As for the bolt pattern, the C will match up with the same transmission your W is bolted to. I also agree you should be sure it's not a 400.
Congratulations on the free score!
Bob
As for the bolt pattern, the C will match up with the same transmission your W is bolted to. I also agree you should be sure it's not a 400.
Congratulations on the free score!
Bob
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Lead Driver
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From: Kuna ID
I am pretty sure it's a "C", I replaced the tranny for the people that had the car before me and I wouldn't think ford would put an FMX behind a 400. I went and double checked the tag on the car, it says "351C-2V", it says the same thing on the air cleaner too. I had a 79 F-150 with a 400, and the tag on that said "351M-400" The valve cover tag let me know it was the 400.
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Sounds like you surely got a 'C' then. Good deal. Not to muddy the waters, but there were indeed FMX trannys behind 400s..in '73. Very desirable block for some folks because that was the only year that the 400 had a 'small block' mounting pattern cast in to it. They are even commony referred to a 'FMX 400' blocks. But I digress...swapping that 'C' in for a 351W won't present any major problems. Sanderson makes some nice shorty headers that ease the biggest beeatch that I have had with 351C, and even 400, swaps..the exhaust.
Laughing Gas
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as far as i know unless you happen to a a 390 in your mustang with the wide front end it will not fit.69 up will fit.correct me if im wrong but the 67 and 68 stang with a 390 had a widened front end for the big engine.its been awile.
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From: Collierville
I put a 351W in a 66 Mustang. The C has diffrent heads - ie wider. The 66 and 67 are almost identical in the engine compartment. My W only cleared by about 1 inch on each side of the shock towers. I measured and checked at the time and the C would not have fit. That car being a unibody you can't cut the shock towers without causing some serious problems. I ended up having to chain the engine to one side of the car because every time I really got into it I would bread a mount and crush a crack the exhaust manifold.
Just measure really close before you start.
Just measure really close before you start.
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Lead Driver
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From: Kuna ID
Originally Posted by bmc69
Not to muddy the waters, but there were indeed FMX trannys behind 400s..in '73. Very desirable block for some folks because that was the only year that the 400 had a 'small block' mounting pattern cast in to it. They are even commony referred to a 'FMX 400' blocks.
67-68 body styles are the same regardless if they originally had a 390 or not. I have a friend who put a 351C into a 64 falcon, that was a tight fit. He had to get custom made headers to fit in the car. I have also seen pics of a 66 mustang with a 351C(408 stroker) inside. I will head back over to my mustang forum and do some double checking though. Can't hurt. Thanks for the help.
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Really, wow, guess you learn something new all the time.
LMAO..I swear that is at least partly why I've always been a Ford nut. "No big blocks or smallblocks..no rules at all, in fact". If you think figuring out what Ford built, and when, is fun now, imagine what the poor dealership mechanics must have been going through back then. I was an automotive machinist and parts counter guy in the late 70s and early 80s...
But I digress...again.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Delaware
I put a 351C-4V motor into a '67 Mustang in the early '70's. The original motor was a 289-2V. It was an easy swap. The only mod required was the radiator outlet was on the wrong side. The water pump inlet was on one side on the 351C and the other side on the 289. I think later model Windsor motors had the water pump inlet on the same side as the 351C.
There is no cutting required to do this swap on a '67, but there is on a '64 thru '66.
There is no cutting required to do this swap on a '67, but there is on a '64 thru '66.
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From: MTNS of NC
Thats the good thing about a Mustang , they were built or should I say designed to accept any engine in Ford's arsenal.They came with 289's,302's,351 W & C's,427,428,429,390 baisically all Ford engines will fit the Mustang.....
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I'm not aware of any cutting needed for a 351C in a 64-66 Mustang. Tubular Automotive made headers for the swap. See near the bottom of the page. http://www.bacomatic.org/~dw/fordv8/cleve/cleve.htm
FE and 385 series will not fit 64-66 cars without mods. '67 and later are fine.
I can't say if a 351M/400 would fit early Mustangs, never seen one attempted.
FE and 385 series will not fit 64-66 cars without mods. '67 and later are fine.
I can't say if a 351M/400 would fit early Mustangs, never seen one attempted.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Montana Territory
I helped with a 351C swap into a 69 Mustang... where a 351W came out. They fit right in...
The 429 BOSS cars were wider in the front than other stangs, they were all modified post production by Kar Kraft...
The 429 BOSS cars were wider in the front than other stangs, they were all modified post production by Kar Kraft...
