2wd 351w

[genIIinprogress]

aight my cousin just gave me a 351 block that has to be rebuild. i've kind of been kicking the idea around about putting it in a 2wd ranger or f-150. I can't really decide if a 351 would be to much for a ranger or not. i dont want a flat out drag machine just a good street truck

what ya think

 

[mhughes165]

it can be done aslong as ur half decent at fabrication, look up in the tech section under v8 swaps

 

[Kdawg532]

it would be better if you had a C(Cleavland) block cause the W(Windsor;Canadian garbage) at least the 3 or 4 i have ownd are junk

 

[genIIinprogress]

i think its a W it might be a C though. i dont even know what the diffrence is truthfully im a body guy just getting to learn motors. im just afraid that a big 351 in such a small truck that i wont be able to keep the tires locked to the pavement. (which isnt allways a bad thing)

 

[mhughes165]

the truck will like to get squirly on ya in wet weather, and windsor blocks arent all that bad, ive had really good windors, all depends on how they were maintained, and u cant drive them like a 6cyl or 4cly.

 

[genIIinprogress]

what do ya mean that you cant drive them like a 6cyl or 4cyl. and what would be a good rear end? im thinking of looking for a gen 2 short box.

 

[mhughes165]

id run a 8.8 behind a 351, a 8.8 wiht 3.55 gears and a LS unit would be a nice combination, 4cyls and cyls require more pedal, a v8 doesnt need as much pedal for the torque, make there power at lower rpm's and dont rev as high, so people used to smaller enignes lots of times will throw a rod or somehting from high revving a small block not built to handle that sort of stress

 

[genIIinprogress]

ok i get what you are saying. that will be hard for me becuase this will be my first v8 (totally pumped).

 

[JoshT]

There must have been something wrong with the Windsors that Kdawg got because they are great motors. There is tons of after market for the Windsor as such it can be built as mild or as wild as you want. IMHO a mild rebuild won't be to much for a 2wd Ranger, it may need a little help hooking up but not much. A wild motor, on the other hand, is way to much for a Ranger, at least if you want to put it on the street. Now it you decided to build a build something in the middle you will need to be looking into items that will assist traction, but I still wouldn't call it to much.

It really would depend on how much work you want to put in to the build. If you want to bolt in the motor and go type set-up go with an F-150, as there's a better chance of it already having engine mounts, transmission, rear end, radiator, etc. that will work. If you don't mind having to get together the extra components then go with the Ranger. When I Say extra components for the ranger you will need at least the following; motor mounts, headers, transmission, transmission mount, rear end, radiator, and clutch pedal system if you go manual transmission. Also keep in mind that with the Ranger most of the items you need will have to be modified in some way, and some of them will have to be custom built.

I'm not trying to scare you away from the Ranger build, no doubt it would be a fun truck, I just want you to under stand there will be fair bit of work involved then would be on the F-150. If you feel that you can handle the work then go for the Ranger, if not then get the F-150.

 

[mhughes165]

ya, the windsor motors are really great motors, especially if its a older 351w, they are beasts, and u can build them on a budget with junkyard parts too

 

[dude772]

I think that the ranger windsor block v8 swap can be pretty much a bolt on deal if you've got the pockets to handle it.

You can buy the mounts, the transmission adapters, the headers, and basically everything you need minus the wire-harness. But even the harness can be bought as a plug and play deal if you offer the right guy the right price.

 

[mhughes165]

I think that the ranger windsor block v8 swap can be pretty much a bolt on deal if you've got the pockets to handle it.

You can buy the mounts, the transmission adapters, the headers, and basically everything you need minus the wire-harness. But even the harness can be bought as a plug and play deal if you offer the right guy the right price.

but at the same time if u can do some fab work, or can get free labor out of friends that can do fab work, ive seen the swap done for under 500....

 

[dgarner08]

i have a Windsor in a 1969 mach 1 mustang its a beast

 

[projectnitemare]

Its not much harder than a 302 swap. Yes you will need some deeper pockets if you are adding some performance to it. The enigne mounting and configuration is identical to a 302. The deck is taller so you need to take a bigger chunk from the heater box. Where the problems arise is the exhaust. You having a 2wd I can say it will be easier than mine but you will still have to pick through manifolds or headers or cough up some decent cash for the few places now making them. Definitely worth it over a 302. If you decide a stroker you'll get some serious power. You'll need an 8.8 for a mild 351.

Matt

 

[351w Ranger]

Its actucally pretty simple to do you'll need to buy motor mounts of fab up your own..... get a set of headers off a mountianeer 5.0 they work great i had them on my old 351w truck... them you'll need to decide if your going fule injection or carbed if your going carbed i would run a manual fuel pump less work i think, i would also run a chevy stile hei disrtibutor cause you dont have to mess with a coil or anythe just run power to the distributor, you should be able to use your stock powersteering pump just put the v8 pulley on it, youll need to cut the heater box, i used the stock cross member place for mine to but its 4x4 i donno if it makes a dif on 2x4, i would also think bout using electric fans to it takes up less room, and as for them saying the 351w's are junk i think there alot more reliable than the 351m and if you build it right you should have no prob.