Engine suggestions 302 vs 351

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Aug 22, 2002 | 07:30 PM

leviguy85

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From: Daytona Beach USA

Engine suggestions 302 vs 351

Hey everyone, Im a kid looking for more power from his 302 84 f-150 (AOD) My father and I recently rebuilt the 302 for improved economy and reliabity, but now i need more power. I have the old 302 in my garage but a larger 351w is very tempting. Being a young kid I am on a fairly strict budget somewhere around $1000-1200. Right Now i have a rebuildable 302 in my garage that I first considered swapping in with some mods. But everything I have heard about the 351w makes me want get one. I feel as though in either case, without the need boring if i can find a block in good shape, I can get away at rebuilding it for $300-400. that leaves around $700 for mods, before laughing at such a small amount i figure using ebay and junkyards i could assemble a decent set of gt40p heads, cam, intake and carb for that money. Should i stay with the 302 i already own or go for the 351w which i would need to buy? And do u have any suggestions for the mods i should make to either. I was thinking a roller cam conversion but that seems difficult for anything but newer 351w. thanks for any info u can give.

Aug 22, 2002 | 09:01 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Engine suggestions 302 vs 351

I would go with the 351w. It has the low end that a truck needs. I first would try looking around for the latest, lowest mileage 351w you can find. It will probably be fuel injected, but you can strip all that off and put a carb on it. What that should get you is a good engine that won't need rebuilding for hopefully $600-$800. Then you can spend your money on a carb, intake, aftermarket ignition, and headers. I don't know much about the later 351w's, but they may already have the deep lifter bores and mounting bosses for the roller cam, even though it may not have a roller cam originally.

Aug 22, 2002 | 09:34 PM

MustangGT221

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Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 14,947

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From: Topsfield, MA

Engine suggestions 302 vs 351

I second the 351, or possibly a 347 stroker kit for the 302, but I don't know how much those are.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds

.

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Heavyduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Weighs around 7,000lbs w. 65mph top speed, who wants to race me!

Aug 26, 2002 | 06:53 AM

DeenHylton

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Joined: Jan 2000

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From: Crooked River Ranch, OR

Engine suggestions 302 vs 351

Go with the 351...the 302's are great for a light weight Mustang, but a heavier truck needs all the stroke it can get. There is only around 90 lbs. differance in weight...hardly noticable in a 4500 lb. truck. Deen

Oct 20, 2002 | 07:51 PM

fordtruckin

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From: CA

Engine suggestions 302 vs 351

Oct 20, 2002 | 09:27 PM

pranksterf150custom

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Joined: Jul 2002

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From: devon canada

Engine suggestions 302 vs 351

i have an question,i have a 302 in my 1979 f150,it seems to go pretty good once i get going,no bottom end,or very little bottom end,
i would like to get about 400hp out of it is that enough,the top end seems fine.i would like to do all of that high performance thangfour barrell carb,racier cam,headers,and do something with the crankshaft.
any thoughts?

i would like to spend about 2000.00 also isnt a 302 a little cheaper on fuel? except with maybe the four barrell.

thanks for all advice...mike

Oct 20, 2002 | 10:26 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Engine suggestions 302 vs 351

A 400hp 302 will have even less bottom end than you have now. A 302 with 400hp will make all that power at high rpms. This will be fine if all you want to do is burn the tires off and drive it most of the time with no load. You may have to get a stall convertor if it's an automatic tranny and/or get some higher number gears in the differentials to let the motor rev up where it will make power. If you want a motor for working, like towing, hauling wood, and off roading, you are better off with a 351w which has a longer stroke for more low rpm torque. A working truck needs torque. A cruising pleasure truck can have the high hp.