Is a 77 351W with C6 truck transmission a good setup for a streetrod? I don't know much about the older Ford motor stuff. I already have a early 70's 351W motor that needs rebuilt but it has some performance parts on it. Wants $350 for the motor and matching tranny. Ran when removed. I want to use a 351W in my 50 F1, thanks, Scott

 

Coming from a truck, is it set up for 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive? If 2 wheel drive, it should work perfect for your application. Your early 70's 351 will have better heads with larger intake ports and valves than the '77. You'll want to use those if at all possible.

 

I don't know yet if 2wd or 4wd. Would the C6 bolt up to the older (74?) 351W? It has good heads on it with a Edelbrock Street Performer manifold, no carb though. 302 mid performance cam says previous owner. Older motor needs rebuilt as it was a Sprint car motor for a season or two. Said it ran hard fwiw.

 

Or will the heads and manifold work on the newer motor?

 

First, since you haven't seen it yet, be sure the 77 engine really is a Windsor, and not the huge 351M, which was more common to see in trucks of that vintage. If both are really Windsors, heads, intakes and transmissions, and pretty much anything else, will interchange. If not, none of what the guy has for sale will work with the Windsor.

 

I talked to him again and its a 351W for sure, 2wd out of an econoline van, 2 barrel carb.

 

That combination is one of the best you can use in my opinion! You will have to heavily modify your transmission cross member (cut it out and replace it with an aftermarket version designed for the bigger transmission)

But, I agree with Wayne

With this engine and transmission combo, look to see when you buy it that they are already physically together - that this engine really is a 351W and the transmission really does fit on it.

Here's the clicker. In 1977 Ford Replaced the FE engines in it's trucks with the 351M (which was a Cleveland [335] big block derivative - and frankly a real DOG in my opinion).

Why is this important? Because the C6 had 3 variants that fit on the backs of specific engine series. If this transmission is out of a 77 Truck it will be the variant made to fit the 351M and will not fit on the back of yor 351W engine. The bell housinggs are different sizes shapes and th ebolt patterns are different.

Here's a picture:



To my knowledge (and I could be wrong) the 351W was never mounted in a Ford Pick-up.

 

Cool. You should be good to go.

 

You may want to revise that. The 351W was used quite a lot in trucks, and was the only 351 option from 1983 to 1997.

 

Your right. I was thinking earlier models - during the FE/351 M years.

Never say never.

 

The tranny and motor were removed, still bolted together, fron an Econoline van, not a truck as previously stated..

 

Well I just bought the package deal, running motor, good tranny, all brackets, alt, starter, etc for $300. I can run my old truck with that and cherry pick some better parts off my earlier motor like heads and Manifold, until that one is rebuilt.
I'm very happy with the idea of driving it, albeit with a tired motor, until a better 4 speed manual tranny can be found and at least feel like I'm making progress on it as its been sitting, swallowing up money for a couple years now. Thanks for your expertise, I can guarantee many more questions coming your way! Scott

 

Scott,

The rear-end gears will become important with that 3 speed transmission. I have a 302W/C6 in my '52 F1. I had to move to 2.80 gears in the rear to get comfortable RPM's at highway speeds. I'm happy with the combo.

 

Thanks DV. I forgot to mention I have a 9 inch rear end out of a mid 60's galaxy. All the old drive-train (flathead, tranny and rear end) has been donated to a friend of mine in the powdercoating business. Im still getting good deals from him! All the suspension has been updated also to Mustang II front and Speedway motors rear with coilovers on both.

 

Nice!

Do you know what ring-and-pinion gears you have in your 9"? If it's higher than about 3.0, you may find that it struggles at highway speeds (it'll be fast out of the hole though!).