302 vs 351

[swynx]

For a LONG time I've wanted to restore and build a v8 ford. They've got one at the shop and ralph knows I want one so its in the back behind some junk waiting for pickup. It has no engine. My buddy has an old mustang with a 351 that's been built. Says it has 450 HP. With dyno results. Can't let the clutch out in the rain without spinning the tires.

I want classic natural aspiration. Idc about gas mileage. Its a v8 lets treat it like one.

What would you choose and why? How much different is the power curve?

Now that I thinkbof it I've never worked on a v8 aside from timing one.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

What is it going in?

The 351W is a little bigger than a 302, taller and wider.

They have low end power potential than a 302, hard to argue with 1/2" more stroke.

The big problem with a W is they were really late on going to a roller cam (last year or two of production) and the heads on a 302 don't flow well enough for a 302... but they just reamed the holes out for bigger headbolts and slapped them on the 351W.

 

[straycat]

The W motor is a great motor. Very easy motor to maintain and you can run it almost forever before a rebuild (unless it is a drag race motor only). I have owned a few of them. 400-425 hp is more like what you can get out of them with a decent low cost build. Head work, camshaft, valves and a great intake and carb setup makes a big improvement. Headers and a great exhaust system will do wonders for a stock 351W. They are heavy compared to the 302 of course. But I would go with the W motor anytime.

 

[silverslug]

49

 

[swynx]

It'll be in a mustang. Not fox body. Earlyer than that. . I want an engine that has power but not stupid amounts that I can't drive.

 

[straycat]

My '67 fastback had a 351W in it. My '69 Boss had a 429 with over 500 hp and that was one wicked setup!! My '67 351W moidified had around 425 hp and it was fun to drive. Make sure you got a posi in that rear. A posi makes the car easier to love and use every day...lol

 

[swynx]

Yeah open rear ends are worthless. My buddy's mustang has an open rear end and I've seen him almost lose it a few times in the rain.

 

[tmcalavy]

The fact that you want to build a V8 pretty much puts mpg out the window, more like gallons per mile if you intend to drive it like it should be driven. A well-tuned 302 can get close to 18 or 20 mpg down the road, at speed with the right rear gearing. The only sensible reason to build a 302 or 351 Windsor, not Cleveland, is to sell it to generate $$$ for your other/next build project. Otherwise you'll wrap it around a post or kill yourself in some other fashion by actually driving it...it is impossible to keep your right foot out of the throttle of one of those, unless you let grandma drive.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah open rear ends are worthless. My buddy's mustang has an open rear end and I've seen him almost lose it a few times in the rain.

Personally I think an open is better in inclimate weather than a limited slip at least with a RWD vehicle.

Rarely do both wheels slip and get it sideways, a "good" limited slip/locker will do it every time if you are not carefull. My Ranger LOVES to do the sidewinder when the road conditions are less than ideal unless I have it in 4wd for directional stability.

 

[feellnfroggy]

a 351 w/ 450 hp isnt so strong that you cant drive in the rain.....its all in the setup of the car. Me personally I think if you go with a 302, youll just end up wanting more.

 

[Ozwynn]

really? You gotta ask?

In a vintage Mustang I would go 390, 428, or sohc 427. but a 302 or a 351w and 351c are as common as dirt and easy to build.

a 351w can be stroked to a 396...

 

[96Indyram]

A 302 can get stroked up to 363cid from what I have read..and
I have seen 351W stroked up to 427cid. ( they can get radical up to 454 cid)

the FE engine series (390, 428, or 427) are good engines...but are hard to get parts anymore unless you pay $$$ for them.

I am a fan of the 385 engine series ( 429, 460). I love my 429CJ ( sitting in the shed currently) from my old 71 Mach1
(also a 429/460 engine can be stroked up to 557cid)

Also the 351W has the bigger (bigblock) bellhousing bolt pattern for a C6 automatic
the 302, 351C, 351M uses a smaller (smallblock) C4 automatic bellhousing bolt pattern.


but back to the OP
Swynx...what year of mustang?

 

[Mac]

A 302 can get stroked up to 363cid from what I have read..and
I have seen 351W stroked up to 427cid. ( they can get radical up to 454 cid)

the FE engine series (390, 428, or 427) are good engines...but are hard to get parts anymore unless you pay $$$ for them.

I am a fan of the 385 engine series ( 429, 460). I love my 429CJ ( sitting in the shed currently) from my old 71 Mach1
(also a 429/460 engine can be stroked up to 557cid)

Also the 351W has the bigger (bigblock) bellhousing bolt pattern for a C6 automatic
the 302, 351C, 351M uses a smaller (smallblock) C4 automatic bellhousing bolt pattern.

To get to a 363 CI, have to start with an after market block, several made. New limit for the 351W is 460CI.
The FE series was a good motor but easily out classed with what the SBF's can do today. I've got a 428 in my garage I was going to use but going with a 351 now.
351W shares the same bell housing pattern as the 289/302 and 351. The C-6 was available behind the 302 in several applications. Early Mustangs could be had with so many different combinations and so many different swaps have been done. The latest craze is to do the new 5.0L.
Dave

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Also the 351W has the bigger (bigblock) bellhousing bolt pattern for a C6 automatic
the 302, 351C, 351M uses a smaller (smallblock) C4 automatic bellhousing bolt pattern.

They made very few 351M/400 blocks with the small block bolt pattern for the big land yacht cars... just enough to drive the poor fools that bought them nuts when they needed a different engine.

The vast majority got the big block pattern. Trucks far outlast cars which makes the small block bolt pattern 351m/400 blocks very few and far between today.

302/351W all got the small block pattern.

 

[96Indyram]

Yeah I messed up when I posted that info on bellhousing size. Don't know what I was thinking.
guess I had a brainfart! Oh well.... to error is human.
Its been a long time since I have messed with the old ford v8's Last one I owned was a fully loaded 78 f150 4x4 shortbed stepside with the 400M/C6 auto..( I miss that truck...*sniffle)

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