Excuse me for being ignorant......can someone tell the differance between the <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351c </a>and the 531W?
What make them so different and which is the better choice for a performance builder? Thanks in andvance y'all

 

the W heads are much like a small block chevy's heads, all the valves and rockers are in a straight line and the ports are rather small. the W blocks are possibly slightly stronger in that the cylinder walls are thicker and can be overbored more and more safely, and the W uses an aluminum timing cover(lighter), 3" mains and the same thrust width as the M/400(M/400 cranks can easily be adapted for a 4" stroke or more). on the C side you have heads much like the 385 series(ford big block) and chevy big block with canted valves for better flow through the heads, and ports big enough for a family of ethiopians to live in(4V). or for mild street performance you can have the 2V port size(still bigger than most). the C blocks suffer from a "thinwall" casting that limits overboring. factory recomends only .003(not.030) but .030 is pretty common. 2.75" mains, timing cover is cast into the block (heavy) and also a controversial oiling design. to really complicate things, you can hybrid the W and C to create what is called a "clevor". W block, C heads, special intake manifold. this is what the racers are using with aftermarket C heads. you can also hybrid the M/400 and the C with 4v heads for awsome power potential with high cube stroker displacement, long con rod dependability and heads that will flow enough to let it run wild. anything else?

 

Depends on the application alot too,and if you are using aftermarket heads on the W or not.The C runs strong(very strong) on the top end with the right modifications but lacks low end power.For mid -high rpm power on a budget pick the C with the 4v or even the 2 v heads.(the 2 v is a not bad all around head, the best american ones coming from a 70 or 71 engine)make sure to use a tuff quality valves though or you'll pop the heads off and wreck everything on the 2 or 4v (learned the hard way) They easily turn 7-7500 rpm with a good cam.The W is is a tuff and durable power.The best factory heads are from a 69 or 70 performance car.They pull great off the line but lack top end with out aftermarket heads or LOTS of port work.The numerous heads availible do work GREAT.But depends on what you want to spend.Remember the C &W have same bell housing and motor mounts.The <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351m </a>or <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">400m </a>have 429/<a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">460 </a>bell housings.Build away!!