I was informed by the PO of the 1988 f250 that I just picked up that the motor was swapped for a 302.

Now, as that seems odd, I decided to check out some things for myself. It seems that it has 351 manifolds on it. The lower bolt on the thermostat housing is well clear of the water pump. There's a rib if I stick my hand directly behind the distributor. I have read that these are sure signs of the 351...but the only sites I have found are for classic mustangs ect.

Am I correct in thinking that this is a 351 and that the PO had no idea what he was talking about? Is there any sure fire easy way for me to check?

Thanks in advance, I'm new to older fords...

 

look at the upper intake. it will have lil "runners. if they are squarish its a 302. if they are rounded its a 351W.

this is the easiest way to tell. or you can take a tape measure and measure the width of the lower intake. if its 9.5 inches its a 351W. if its 8.2" its a 302.

 

The runners on the upper intake are round/ovalish. Guess it's got a 351w then?

It didn't seem like a dog at all when I test drove it. Should have guessed that he didn't know what he was talking about.

 

Doesn't it say 5.0 or 5.8 right on the top of its upper intake?

If not isn't the 5.0 the only one with the removable plate that states its size? or does that only pertain to the car intakes?

 

It only says something about fuel injected. No listed engine size.

 

Huh, mine says 5.8 on it, buddies bronco and Lincoln both say 5.0 IIRC, just figured they all did.

I remember the plate that said 5.0 on his Lincoln was removable but do not recall if the bronco is, the 5.8 its formed right in with the casting of the intake itself.

 

Just found another clue, something about 302 EGR coming from lower intake and 351 coming from passenger exhaust manifold. Another check in the 351 box

I'm considering taking the upper intake off and measuring if the weather is decent tomorrow. I'm missing the passenger side exhaust manifold now anyways, so it's not like I'm going to be driving it anytime in the next few days.

 

the older intakes didnt have the engine sizes labelled on them. thats why i gave the tips to figure out how to identify it.

 

when you do this you might as well go ahead and pull the lower after you measure and replace those gaskets and replace the valve cover gaskets as the valve cover gaskets are prone to leaking. and replacing the lower intake gasket lets you get a chance to look into your oil galleries. and see how much gunk is in there. and also you'll be able to see the LONG LONG pushrods on a 351W...

here they are on the 351W im building. ive got it down to the bare block waiting to take it to the machine shop....

 

Isn't the fireing order on the 351 (1-3-7-2...) as opposed to 302 (1-5-4-2....)?

 

I definitely have some leaks at the valve covers. Maybe I'll pull it all apart and get those changed out while I'm in there.

Gotta get a new exhaust manifold ordered up so I can drive this thing.

 

yeah just get some rubber gaskets not the cork ones. the rubber ones are better.

 

I pulled the upper intake off and found a casting number on the lower. Looks like it's a 351w.


This helps out a lot. When I go to sell it down the road, it'll be easier to positively say that it's a 351 in this monster (Ex cab, long bed, 4wd)

 

yep. i forgot to mention that. dam the one thing that tells it plain and simple i forgot.

oh well glad to help.