v8 engine options?

[Tiph83]

The 351w in my 88 ranger. Started getting a bottom end rattle yesterday. I bought the truck with the engine already in it. I just had to finish putting everything together. I was told it was a early 70's. Its bone stock except for a intake and carb. I have a 02 302 out of a explorer and was thinking of throwing it in. So far I have the complete engine wiring harnesses and a 97 computer. I know I need to switch the fuel system back to a return style. The engine has the coil style distributor will that work with a 97 computer or do I need to swap to the traditional distributor and change the wiring harnesses. Then I've also thought about just pulling a 351 at the junk yard and throwing my carb stuff on it but not sure whats a good year to get. I welcome any and all info. Thanks

 

[Grunizzle]

Any reason you are opposed to just rebuilding the current engine you have?

Also I'm in the middle of a 351 swap, do you have any pictures of how the headers are setup?

 

[Tiph83]

Im not looking for crazy power but im sure their is another 351w factory long block that I could drop in amd use my intake and carb and make more power just not sure what year to use

 

[Tiph83]

Yea I'll take some pics of my exhaust. Thats one of the things I had to finish

 

[Tiph83]

I'm not opposed to rebuilding the one I have now. The most I can find say the heads are not a good set. If I could figure out which 351 head would be better for it ill rebuild it. I know that explorer 302 if I drop it in would make more power. I just looking for an easy build that eill makr decent power is all.

 

[GentleRF]

Tiph, just remember, there's no replacement for displacement. Having said that, if you can overhaul the Windsor, I'd do that. Rebuilding the heads would also be a positive thing. I've done a fair share of head rebuilds and cleaned up a number of issues like a casting flange left over on a 2.0 4- cyl. While I've not done any flow bench work, I understand how to do it and I know a gent in Tacoma, WA with one I might be able to use.

Rick in East Bremerton

 

[GentleRF]

Tiph, just remember, there's no replacement for displacement. Having said that, if you can overhaul the Windsor, I'd do that. Rebuilding the heads would also be a positive thing. I've done a fair share of head rebuilds and cleaned up a number of issues like a casting flange left over on a 2.0 4- cyl. While I've not done any flow bench work, I understand how to do it and I know a gent in Tacoma, WA with one I might be able to use.

Rick in East Bremerton

 

[GentleRF]

Sorry about the duplicate post.

 

[Tiph83]

Any reason you are opposed to just rebuilding the current engine you have?

Also I'm in the middle of a 351 swap, do you have any pictures of how the headers are setup?

It want let me upload the pics. says something about a security issue. If you want I can text them to you

 

[Tiph83]

Tiph, just remember, there's no replacement for displacement. Having said that, if you can overhaul the Windsor, I'd do that. Rebuilding the heads would also be a positive thing. I've done a fair share of head rebuilds and cleaned up a number of issues like a casting flange left over on a 2.0 4- cyl. While I've not done any flow bench work, I understand how to do it and I know a gent in Tacoma, WA with one I might be able to use.

Rick in East Bremerton

Yea im leaning toward a rebuild of the one I have. Do you know of a good head I can pull off a 351 that will work ok. Like what year stock 351head would be best?

 

[Tiph83]

Also does anyone know of a good cam to go with. If I have to change vavle springs that's fine. Nothing crazy just want a nice sound and a little more power and torque

 

[Grunizzle]

I believe any head from a 351 or 302 will bolt right on. It is a very common swap for the gt40 heads off explorer 302s on the 351. Ill pm you my # for the pics thanks!

And as for the cam, I have heard a lot of good things about the comp cams 351w 4x4 series cams. They actually have 351w ground cams. A lot of companies market 302 cams as 351, but the firing order in a 302 is different

 

[Tiph83]

Yea I was thinking of pulling the heads off that 302 but they are the gt40p heads. What actually is the difference between the gt40 and the gt40p?

 

[Grunizzle]

Yea I was thinking of pulling the heads off that 302 but they are the gt40p heads. What actually is the difference between the gt40 and the gt40p?

I know access to the spark plugs is harder because they angle back and less desirable for a swap like ours due to clearance.

 

[9050lx]

Stock HO mustang or Cobra cam would be easy on springs and rockers and make decent bottom end and cheap. I believe the HO is billet.