What do you guys think?
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From: Bristol TN.
What do you guys think?
My delema is that my dad wants me to keep the 302 engine I have and use it in my 51 because he says that it is all the truck needs.....But I have found that I could get a 351 rebuilt for the same money as the 302 plus its easier to get 400hp out of the 351. Dad says that "the 351 is too much for that truck" I am 24 years old and of course I can do as I please, I just don't see the reason to keeping a 302 knowing it will have to be rebuilt and cost the same as the 351 and yet make less power and torqu of the 351....what do you guys think?
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
There is no replacement for displacement 
I personally would go with the 351 as long as it is a 351W and not a 351M....... just my opinion not knocking the M series. I have a 302 I just built and installed in my 53....then a 351W showed up for free...wish it had of showed up a couple of months earlier
I personally would go with the 351 as long as it is a 351W and not a 351M....... just my opinion not knocking the M series. I have a 302 I just built and installed in my 53....then a 351W showed up for free...wish it had of showed up a couple of months earlier
Posting Guru
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From: I live in Leitchfield, KY
BIGGER is better! That is if you have a complete 351W If you have to run down some parts, they are more expensive. I have a sbc 305 in my 56 now, but when I "repent" and go all Ford I have a 351W ready to go in!! I got several 302's also, but I wanted more torque, and the gas mpg's will be somewhat close to the same. Unless your 302 is a late model HO Roller motor, there would be no contest in my opinion.
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From: Archer, Fla
Bigger isn't necessarily better. Depends on what you want to do with your truck. The 351 has more power and torque, if you are going to use it as a tow vehicle or carring loads. The 302 is a good cruiser engine, better mpg if you just want to drive it around. If you want speed and smoke off the tires, well, I don't go there anymore, LOL.
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From: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Truxx you nearly stole my thunder....
Come over to the darkside and install that 350 SBC with a blower for the same price as rebuilding the 351W.....get the power of a 351W with the fuel economy of the 302...
Come over to the darkside and install that 350 SBC with a blower for the same price as rebuilding the 351W.....get the power of a 351W with the fuel economy of the 302...
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From: northwestern Ontario
If I'm allowed to butt in
Originally Posted by sparky
There is no replacement for displacement
I personally would go with the 351 as long as it is a 351W and not a 351M....... just my opinion not knocking the M series. I have a 302 I just built and installed in my 53....then a 351W showed up for free...wish it had of showed up a couple of months earlier
I personally would go with the 351 as long as it is a 351W and not a 351M....... just my opinion not knocking the M series. I have a 302 I just built and installed in my 53....then a 351W showed up for free...wish it had of showed up a couple of months earlier
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ashland, KY
If the 351 is a windsor and ready to go I would go with that. But really a 302 if you build it right you would be surprised what a so called little 302 will do. But I'm with you if you can get it for the same prise then I would get the 351. Like you said if their built right they can be a mean little motor to.
Scott B.
1951 F1
239 Flathead V8 3 speed on the tree
Scott B.
1951 F1
239 Flathead V8 3 speed on the tree
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From: NM
Unless you go whole-hog and put IFS and disc brakes etc., do you really think that extra power is going to be safe to use? I think not. Don't underestimate the need for gas mileage if you intend to drive this more than on weekends.
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56Panel,
How to tell a 351W from a 302 or a 351C:
- Number of valve cover bolts per head - FE = 5, W = 6, C = 8, M = 8, 335 Series (Big Blocks) = 7
- Thermostat Housing - W = on intake manifold, C = on block
- Fuel Pump - W = bolts on each side of block opening for fuel pump. C = bolts on top and bottom of block opening
- 351W water pump boss stops aprox. 1" or more from top of block at bottom of head. 302 water pump boss goes right up to bottom of head
- 351W (and late 302 H.O.) firing order is 13726548. 302 firing order is 15426378
- 351W eighth digit of VIN = generally is H
- 351C has dipstick going into the block, 351M has dipstick going into the oilpan
351W - dimensions
- width outside of exhaust manifold to outside of exhaust manifold = 25" (351C = 1/2" wider)
- height from bottom of oilpan to top of air cleaner = 29"
- length from front of fan pulley to rear of block = 29"
That should help clarify what you got.
How to tell a 351W from a 302 or a 351C:
- Number of valve cover bolts per head - FE = 5, W = 6, C = 8, M = 8, 335 Series (Big Blocks) = 7
- Thermostat Housing - W = on intake manifold, C = on block
- Fuel Pump - W = bolts on each side of block opening for fuel pump. C = bolts on top and bottom of block opening
- 351W water pump boss stops aprox. 1" or more from top of block at bottom of head. 302 water pump boss goes right up to bottom of head
- 351W (and late 302 H.O.) firing order is 13726548. 302 firing order is 15426378
- 351W eighth digit of VIN = generally is H
- 351C has dipstick going into the block, 351M has dipstick going into the oilpan
351W - dimensions
- width outside of exhaust manifold to outside of exhaust manifold = 25" (351C = 1/2" wider)
- height from bottom of oilpan to top of air cleaner = 29"
- length from front of fan pulley to rear of block = 29"
That should help clarify what you got.
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Posting Guru
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From: Bristol TN.
ALBUQ F-1, I am putting in a MII bolt in suspention and going to put 9" and new spring kit in back and sway bars, I want it to ride like a newer car and be save so my wife can drive it....If I let her LOL
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From: northwestern Ontario
ferguson777, thanks for that information. I can say for sure that the dip stick is on the left side of the oil pan, I have to do some cleaning up before reading any numbers, it does measure 29 inches from the front pully to the rear of the block, I'd have to go out and remeasure the width but 25 inches sounds close. I do have the vin numbers of the truck it came out of, it is as follows
2FTEFI5G
CA90576 A4
3J9AFI53 4 I6 K
5.8L
E3AE-9C485-DCJ
2FTEFI5G
CA90576 A43J9AFI53 4 I6 K
5.8L
E3AE-9C485-DCJ
Lead Driver
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From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Actually it takes the same amount of work and money to get 400 hp out of the 351W as a 302. The only way you will get that high is with aftermarket heads. You'll be hard pressed to get more than 300 hp out of stock heads.
The main thing the 351W will have over the 302 is about 50 ft-lbs of torque across the board and earlier peak HP if each engine is equipped the same.
I'm building a 5.4L 302 stroker for my truck. I could have easily got a 351W but it was roller or nothing.
The main thing the 351W will have over the 302 is about 50 ft-lbs of torque across the board and earlier peak HP if each engine is equipped the same.
I'm building a 5.4L 302 stroker for my truck. I could have easily got a 351W but it was roller or nothing.
Last edited by 51dueller; Oct 23, 2007 at 09:22 PM.