Hello,I have a 1979 Ford F150 with a 3 Speed Automatic in it.I just bought it from a guy about a week ago.He told me it had a 351w in it.The problem he has had with the truck is it keeps eating the teeth on starters.He told me he put a new flywheel on it to fix it but the problem still exist.Now I ran the vin and it came back as a 302 engine.I have found the Block ID but I cannot get any results for it.The Id# is D9AE-6015-ED-17.Now if this engine is in deed a 302 then does the 302 and the 351w have different flywheels?The truck was practically given to me so I dont mind putting a little money in it.I just dont want to throw any quesses and keep replacing parts.Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

 

NO 351W was installed in 1973/79 F150.

It has either a 302 or something else. If the VIN came back as a 302, it's likely it has a 302.

6 valve cover bolts = 302.

 

When I decode the D9AE it shows that the block is a 351w.1979 351w.I talked to someone at a shop today and they told me to reach at the end of the block under the intake and see if there is about a 1 in. drop to where the bell housing bolts up.They said if there was then it is a 351 and if the bell housing was almost flush with the bottum of the intake it was a 302.There is about a 1 in drop to where the bell housing bolts up.Have you or anyone else ever heard of this?I just really want to make sure before I start trouble shooting the starter problem.

 

With a 30 yr old truck anything could have been put in there. The 351w isn't a "stock" motor but it doesn't mean one hasn't been put in there. If the block casting numbers are showing a 351 then there's your answer.
Is the block plate damaged? If the starter is tipped it won't mesh correctly and take the teeth off. Also check the starter, if the teeth are worn there's a problem too.

 

Well the teeth are now worn,but they are only wearing about half way,it look like the other half hasnt been touched.Outter side away from starter worn,inner half not.I have another starter as a back up that is used.The decoding I used was googled and the site said it may not be %100 accurate.Does you or anyone else know of a trick hat is used to identify a 351 from a 302?

 

I've never heard anything like that.

It's hard to determine whether it's a 302 or 351W. I know the 351W has a taller deck height and wider intake. maybe measure from there? :dunno:

It could also be a 351C for all you know!

I'm not certain if decoding a block ID will help. Ford hardly put anything informative on engine blocks. NumberDummy would know what that part number is for - go ask him.

 

Well I have had 4 people today tell me it is a 351w.The last just told me if I can put a socket on the lower bolt to the thermostat housing it is a 351,if I cant then it is a 302.I will just go off of there word and say it is a 351.I will be pulling the flywheel tomorrow.I'll let everyone know what the outcome is.Thanks for the help

 

WHAT!? "if I can put a socket on the lower bolt to the thermostat housing it is a 351,if I cant then it is a 302." thats pretty vague maybe they were using a thick walled socket and it wouldnt fit,,now say you have a thin walled socket and it does fit. Now what? Does it morph into a 351 from the magical "socket on the thermostat" gnomes doing a some sort of rain dance?

 

haha!

uh......that's all I got!!

 

351w intake from bolt to bolt across is 11 inches 302 are 8 inches

 

What he said except I thought the 302 was 9 inches but probably anyway that is the way to tell for certain.
The 351 cleveland looks like a 351m 400 no way to mistake them for a 351w

 

look, i have been told that you should never have to shim a ford starter. however i was having the same problem, shimmed it, replaced the stater bolts with new ones from advance. never had a problem since. until i shimmed it i was ridin my starter warranty hard. also, in theory it shouldn't matter about 302/351, as far as the starter. when i was having my problems a trusted parts guy told me to try a 351 starter instead of the shim. something to do with the fact that a 351 starter actually extends farther than the starter for the 302, but that both would actually work. true, i don't know, i went with the shim. works fine .

 

Thanks 79302ranger,you are the first person that has said anything dealing with the question I asked that was polite about it.I had someone else tell me to shim it cause it does look like it is not engaging far enough.I will probably try that,I am debating now if I should pul the flywheel off or not.Thanks for the help

 

What kind of starters are you using? Avoid the $50 remanufactured starters. If you have to shim it, something is wrong.

 

fmc 400....with all your knowledge, some of us are on a budget. maybe you haven't been told about the national financial crisis. besides most of those re-mans come with a lifetime warranty, and if putting a shim on fixes it then it's fixed right? since i shimmed mine i haven't had the first problem with my starter....so is that wrong? if it works...it's workin. and another thing i am not singling you out but alot of people on this forum must not have to use a fart fan when they crap, because their s**t don't stink. are you one of them? i am tired of people being so negative in their replies or posts...if that's how people will be, then let's quit calling this a community, we could maybe call it a warzone? i am just trying to help the man, then you come along with your pessimistic attitude. but the best part is...it will work, no matter what your opinion. i know that because as i said before i had the same problem and it has been a year since, taken the starter off a few time to gain access to other parts during seperate projects, put it back on and still no problems. so next time you want to ridicule me or anyone else on this forum, well, sell your ford and go buy a chevy- it would probably fit your attitude better