My son and I disagree about using a 302 or a 351 in a street rod we are building. He wants to use the 302 because he says the parts cost less and it looks better than the 351. I prefer the 351 because most parts( IE performance camshaft) in my catalogues are the same price for a 302 or 351. It also seems logical that when trying to get more power out of a small block Ford one is better off starting with more power.
Can anyone help my argument by telling me the approximate hp of a stock 85 302 and a stock 85 351w?

 

Well the stock 85 HO motor probably makes more hp than any 351 produced that year.Im not a big fan of either motor.What kind of street rod are you building?Hey at least its not a SBC ha ha.

 

these 85 302 and 351 I'm trying to compare basic stock engines. not HO.
The street rod is a 48 f1 with a camaro front clip.

 

The only 351 part that I can think of that costs more is the intake manifold - all the rest should be the same. The 351 is stronger and will withstand more power modifications. -- Chuck

 

Engine_Specifications

 

Yeah if its a truck you gotta go 351 at least.

 

302 looks better??? there almost visually equal on the outside...and I believe you know best, Start out with the 351, there a better truck engine to begin with

 

190 or 210 horse...not much rod in the street rod. Either engine needs some work. I'd go with whatever I had, or had the cheapest to start.

 

351W.... all day long....

 

The spec sheet doesn't show you the TQ curve, which is much wider and higher with the 351, and TQ is what moves the rod. Peal HP will be identical on both motors with the same modifications becasue they both use the same restrictive heads, but use better heads and the bigger motor will produce more power.. everywhere.

 

thank you all


I'll save these comments to show my son

 

The 302 is smaller, lighter, and easier to wedge between tight fenders. You could always stroke it out to 347ci if you need more power down low.

In a truck the 351 would be a no brainer since an extra 100 pounds and couple of inches in width mean nothing.

The cost of building either one up should be about the same. Except for the intake and distributor bolt-ons interchange.

 

I have a 302 that I will be putting in my 51 ford street rod...but I have three 302 blocks so it would be a waste to not use at least one of them...but I got them before I found out that 351's make more torque than 302's caused by the extra stroke....and thats what everyone usually wants in a street rod or really anything is awesome torque. But I know 302's can make impressive power with the right heads, cam, and carb they can be great and if you through a stroker crank into the mix it can be awesome. 302 engines have to rev higher to get the torque a 351 does if I'm not mistaken. 302's are lighter...and if you get some aluminum heads its even better. If im not mistaken the 1/2 ton trucks like yours and mine don't weigh to terribly much. I beleive they weigh around 3000 pounds curb weight not gross weight (the max gross weight is 4700Ibs for my 51) So it shouldn't be to hard to move the truck. So if you have a 302 already, use it and just build it right. Oh and 302's tend to get better gas mileage than 351's in most cases....don't know if that matters but I figured I'd say it anyway. I have to say, if I was not planning on driving the truck when I get it built daily I would have prolly gone with a 351 and souped it up a bit but I'll just soup up the 302 I have.