Ford Block Ques

I am upgrading my 91 mustang motor, iam going totwin turbo it with a massive intercooler and a custom efi controller.

I don't want to go with a 302 because i feelthat it is overdone, everyone has a 5 liter.

Am i correct to assume that the 351w is the same on the outside as a 302? so it will bolt into the mustang once i get the correct mounts?

What are some good donor vehicles for a 351w?

What kind of stuff doi need to convert the 2.3 to this 351 in my mustang? I am going to use my efi stuff so i don't need anything about that, just the hard parts, also I cam using a AOD transmission.

Thanks
Brendan

the 351 has a taller cylinder deck height as a result the heads sit higher and wider sometimes causing fit problems, if you are seriously looking for more power go with after market Al heads most of the stock smog heads are lacking in the air flow especiall in the exhaust side.

The 351W is approximately 1 1/2 inches wider, and has a 9.5 inch deck height vs 8.3 inch for the 302. As was mentioned, this could require special headers for the 351W, other than that its a bolt in job.
Any of the aftermarket heads for the 302 will also fit the Winsor, however, when shopping look to see if they offer the heads with 1/2 inch head bolt holes vs 7/16ths for the 302.
I know most of the aftermarket manufacturers offer the heads drilled for either engine.
You wont be able to use your 302/5.0 flywheel with the 351W as they have a different off weight for balance, same with the harmonic balancer. You will have to use 351W specific parts at that point. The 302/5.0 went to the 54 oz offweight sometime around 1984 or 1985, when ever it was that they went to the 5.0 name for the engine rather than calling it a 302.
The 351W continued to use the 28 oz offweight flywheel, which is also interchangeable on the 351Cleveland and the pre 84 302's as well.

Don't look for a block in the junk yard. for twin turbos you need to start thinking about aftermarket.Max ,thats 50 oz, not 54oz.

Thanks for the help, any good resources or books on these ford small block engines?

I want tofind a used block that still runs and freshen it up, so i can get my car running and driving with a v8 and my own efi system, then i'll start adding more high end parts as things break and i up the boost and such.

Donor vehicles? F150's? How do i know by looking at these ford engines what size they are? Does an AOD bolt up to a 351w? whats the difference between 351w and 351 cleavland?

Thanks

Brendan

A stock block will be just fine. The one you need is something from 1969 to 1974. Built right you can push 600-700hp range without any problems what so ever, I have done it on several of them. All I have built are the 351w's, I have stroked them, blown them, as in the photo here, nitrous, and never once used an aftermarket block. Unless you plan on running more then 800hp and abusing the hell out of the motor a stock block will be just fine.


Stay away from the clevelands. Nothing wrong with them other then its poor oiling system that can be fixed, but with a windsor you have hundreds of heads to choose from and more parts available and cheaper. You can even build yourself a poor mans stroker using offset crank and 302 pistons.

Yes an AOD will bolt up but will cost alot to make it hold that kind of power. They need many modifications such as to make them shift into 4th gear at full throttle.

You talking about big bucks here, and by the sounds of it by the questions your asking it doesnt sound like your ready for this financially or mechanically. I would re-think a few things and plan something more reachable. Nothing wrong with what you want to do, but take it in steps. Work on getting a 351w in it first then think about the twin turbo setup later. Sticking an 800hp motor in any old car not setup properly along with inexperience is a death trap. Take your time, build it up slowly

The 302/5.0 has an 8.3 deck height and the deck of the block is flush with the top of the timing cover ports for the water pump. The 351W has a 9.5 deck height and the deck of the block is about 1.2 inches above those timing cover ports. The 351C has a commpression height of 9.2 inches, and the rocker covers are rectangular with 8 bolts where the SBF and Winsor have rocker covers that are angled on the ends toward the intake manifold. The SBF/Winsor rocker covers also use only 6 bolts.
The 351W, 351C, and the pre 85 302's share a common 28 oz off weight flywheel and is interchangeable. All three share common bellhousings and engine mounts, so swapping among any of those engines is pretty straight up, if the vehicle already had one of those engines installed in it.
351W and the 302/5.0 share common head design, as well as exhaust manifolds. The 351W uses half inch head bolts where the 302/5.0 use 7/16ths head bolts.
Cams are interchangeable between the two engines, although the pre roller cam engines will not accept the roller cams, and the roller cam engines wont take the flat tappet cams, with out some modifications.
The 302/5.0 weighs approximately 460 lbs, the 351W weighs 525 and the 351C weighs 550.
The 84 and up 351W HO, used in pickups had a larger cam than the standard 351W and its a pretty fair camshaft, with 206/221 degrees duration @ .050" and a .445/.453 inch lift. In 81 or there abouts, the 302 HO in the Mustangs had the same firing order as the 351W.
The V-8s in pickups generally used a mid sump pan, where the Mustangs use a double hump pan with the sump in the rear. These pans are available for both the Winsor and Cleveland blocks in the aftermarket.
The early Crown Vics with the standard 351W had the AOD trannie behind them but as for a performance transmission, I dont recommend them. They are somewhat fragile in that respect. They will take a lot of abuse behind a stock engine, but wont handle a lot of hop up to the engine.
Thats about all I can think of at the moment. If you have other questions feel free to ask.
I also concur with what Brainsboy says about engine building. Summit handles a 3.85" stroker crank for the 351W, and its designed to use stock 351W rods with 302 pistons. For $450 or so its a cheap way to gain 40 cubic inches.

Thanks for the input, as far as mechnically i'm way past ready,
this is my 3rd custom turbo car using a efi and ignigtion system that i designed and built. It will be my first twin turbo tho, which isn't that much difference. On the past 2 cars i have fabricated and machined just about EVERY part except the turbos.

Financially i might not be ready but it will be a long term build, i'm in college and i have another vehicle so i'll just buy pieces as i go.

My questions might seem kinda of vague but i really was looking for the specific ford small block info, which i recieved. Some of you guys that are ford specialists know all the little differences and quirks, and i thank you for the responses.

I try not to stick to a specific brand or make and i like to fabricate and build just about anything.

My dad owns a transmission shop which i have spent a fair share of time in building and learning at. I really like the AOD because of the over drive and we have had very goodluck with aftermarket performance hard parts and have had them hold up in some pretty mean street machines. There really aren't that many alternatives for a ford overdrive trans. The prices we get for aftermarket parts aren't much different from those in c4's and c6's and 350's and 400's etc.

So i'm off to hunt for a 351w that still turns over, i saw some on ebay for $300ish, i hope to not spend much over that.

Thanks Again

Brendan