Hey guys,

I gotta rebuild my 351W, but the prices are buggin me. I can drop in a stock rebuild for about $2800, or a 325hp buildup for about $5000. The guy that I'm talkin to says that built up 351W don't last very long, and the Cleveland isn't a direct drop-in replacement for the 351W.

I was wondering...will a 460 drop in directly where the 351W was or will i need new motor mounts, etc?

Also, does anyone know what it would take to drop a 351C or 351M in where my 351W was? Has anyone done this?

Thanks

 

I would stay with the 351w as you know all the acessory equipment will bolt right up again.Going to a 460 or 351c will require too many changes, engine mounts,bell housings,fly wheel,will it fit,exhaust etc.The 351w has come a long way and the 393 version of the 351w with AFR 205 heads was putting out over 425hp with a reliable combination.I got about $5800.00 into my 351c rebuild and i should have went with the 351w 393 package for more hp/torque and less cost.Lots of people drag racing 351w in mustangs etc.Make sure you find a good Ford man to rebuild your combo.

 

Unless things are different for a truck (the 351C was never factory installed in a truck), the 351C is a direct swap for the 351W except for the exhaust system. They share motor mounts, bellhousings and flywheels. The accessory brackets (AC, PS and alternator) are specific to the engine though as the 351C has a different configuration up front. The 351M/400 has different motor mounts and shares bellhousing patterns with the 429/460. The drawback to the 351C is that parts are more expensive and the blocks are getting harder to find. The 351W makes more low-end torque than the 351C and has bigger main bearings and a better oiling system.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Dec-02 AT 12:33 PM (EST)]Just went thru nermous Ford 351w crate engine sites that are offering alot more than the 325hp you get for $5000.00 Most of the sites were neting 385-425hp with all over 400lbs torque for $5ooo.oo Alot of the companies offer decent warranties.Just another avenue for you to consider.These engines were some turn key, while others required you supply the carb.

 

Thanks guys

well, the $5000 was including the $1000 it costs to get the guy to pull the engine and put it back in. So i figure around $4000 for the 325 hp engine.

I've noticed that most of the worked 351w end up in Mustangs, mainly because of the similarities with the 302 and the excess room in the front of the car. BUT the Mustang is also a much smaller vehicle with a LOT less weight to push around. I plan on lifting the F-250 (1986 XLT LARIAT ext. cab 8' bed) off it's 33" and onto 38" tires, and that's a lot of extra weight to move around.

My engine guy is sayin that the way the 351w is built it doesn't hold up well as a daily driver once you go over about 300hp, so this is one of my main concerns because there's a good chance it will get driven quite a bit (although i hope mostly weekends and goin on dates). Don't wanna spend the cash now only to have to rebuild it again in a couple years.

Anyone have a built 351w like this that they can tell me about? I'm a bit worried about going into the 400hp range (although i wanted to) because of the fact that it's a 22 foot long truck and i don't feel like snapping a driveshaft or destroying my C6.

 

I'm sorry but I think your engine guy is an idiot. The guys here are well informed but you may get more feedback from a 351W dedicated forum.
There are many choices for 351W strokers that are priced reasonably. 427 Windsors make a lot of torque. You are no more likely to ruin a C6 or break a driveshaft than a 460 engine.

 

I won't go so far as to call your engine guy an idiot; but I wonder where he's getting his information. 351W's can be built to handle in excess of 400hp reliably with absolutely stock lower-ends and cast pistons. A 351W built with 351M rods (use ARP bolts and .927" pin bores), Keith Black #355 pistons, GT40-P heads, Edelbrock Performer RPM or Weiand Stealth intake with a Holley 750cfm 4bbl, Comp. Cams 268 cam and a set of headers and will make 325+hp easily, never have to rev over 5500rpm and be dependable as an anvil.

 

Your engine guy may or may not be an idiot, but he is NOT a Ford guy. The best thing you can do is walk away from him and find someone with several powerful Ford engines IN HIS SHOP. The Windsor info is just wrong. As for the Cleveland, the bellhousing, motormounts and flywheel/flexplate are all the same. Yes, the accessory mount brackets are different, so get them all at the boneyard if you want to go that way. Moving to a 400 or a 460 is where you will need new mounts and bellhousing.

The 351W is a great engine, and will live for years at 400 flywheel HP. Better get to some new shops and find the Ford guy near you. Really, you do not want a partially informed, biased or disinterested machinist or mechanic selling you crap parts, crap work and crap stories. It costs WAY too much!

 

If it's all right with everyone else, I'm still gonna think it.

 

alright, so apparently the engine guy i've been talking to is a moron.

But now i need some ideas as to how to build this engine and who to use to do it. Anyone had any fgreat successes with CRATE ENGINES?

I know you guys are mostly big block gents, but does anyone have any estimations on what kinda mileage life I'd be able to get out of a mid 300s to mid 400hp 351w?

Know of any FORD engine guys in the NY/NJ/CT tri-state area? I've been having a hell of a time tryin to find one.

 

I would look for some of the 5.0 racing shops in the tri state area.You need a Ford racing shop that builds and races what they sell as far as engines go.They will be able to provide you with a proven hp/torque package that will mostly be more than enough for your F-250.Alot of the ads in the Mustang mags will provide you with address of the crate engine shops.There was a 5.0-5.8 race team in the town of Hawthorne,N.Y. that I knew of some time ago when i lived in that area.Remember,crate engines arent bulitt proof either as ford muscle magazine found out when a crate 460 blew up on its first pass in their project car.But the engine supplier did a full free replacement.As I said i will go with a crate set up next time around to avoid the miss match of parts,cam included, that i was changing out before i could dial in my combo.So much for using a chevy mans machine engine shop.

 

The info is right at your finger tips.

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