Ok, so here's a question that's been posed many a time, and I thoroughly raked the forums before broaching it again and only find myself still stuck on the fence (uncomfortable) There's a guy I know who'll sell me a fresh shiny rebuilt 75 351W bored .060 over, (with the heads, balancer, oil pan and a couple other bits) for 1900 + my 302 block. I'll have 500$ left to work with (till May, anyways) I'm aware of the shock tower & header thing and while it sounds like a pain in the ass I'm not too frightened. The problem with my 302 is that it smokes realllllly badly (it smokes when it idles) and there's a faint clicking sound. If I go over 70 -which I can't anymore, it smokes too much, but when I did- the pressure would build up and shoot the dipstick out. I'm yanking that sucker out next weekend and taking it apart to find out what exactly rained on its parade. I want something fast, but I also want something that I can drive around. (Gas mileage isn't too much of a consideration, I don't drive much or very far, and I don't really care about the pandas) I don't know if I should just stick with my 302 and beef it up a bit, or go all out and get the 351. It's not a very practical street application, or is it? I've never done it, and I don't personally know people who have, so I really have no idea. The people I have talked to are either freaking out because they think it would be awesome, or foaming at the mouth because they think the engine won't work, the car will fold in half and the transmission will blow & "twist my drive shaft like soft serve." Apparently I'll also "need a rearend rebuild" and frame supports (I'm a bit stupid, I don't know what those are), but since I already had a 302 in there before, shouldn't the end be fine? (oh, and will a C4 handle a 351? From what I understand it's a yes, but a certain person is adamant in that it won't even move the car) Sorry for the long post and repetitive quesion! A thanks to the guys who could bear all the way through I just finally have saved up enough money, and I've got the cash in my hand and a lonely car in my yard.
Seems to be a very common thing for guys on this board to drop in the 351W. I've been here long enough to see it brought up frequently and it definitely seems to be a lot less scary than it sounds. Unless this thing is putting out over 350~ horsepower, the C4 and drive shaft will be fine. I've heard anything over that and you'll probably want to have the transmission rebuilt for the power. But I've heard of the C4s on this board taking well over 350HP. I guess the engine choice for me would be based solely on price and I have no idea if that $1900 is a fair deal. I do know it sounds like you've got major engine troubles, though. My Comet with a cracked head still did 70 without smoking too much.
I can't help you with the swap but I can say that if that is just a stock rebuilt 351 60 over that sounds way out there especially since that is including your motor. Maybe you ask for more specifics, like are the heads ported& polished, good pistons, aftermarket cam and valve train, etc...... You can rebuild your motor for less but mostly stock, you could use it for a base and add upgrades as you go. JMO
.060 over??????? I am not a 351W expert. But I don't know if I'd get into that one. .040 is the limit in my experience for safe overbore in SBF. Maybe there is something different about the 351W that I am not aware of. For sure that is probably the last time it would be bored out. Seth
engineI Its cheeper and easier to revamp your 302 and not have to think about problems that may surface during a swap.Have fun!
.060" overbore is too much for an engine that you know nothing about. Run away from that one FAST! Also, the 75 Windsor heads are borderline if not done properly. So, not a good year, and not a good block IMO... If he could show you absolute proof that the block was sonic tested and magged, and came in safe for that kind of overbore, then okay. The price is still high, but... He couldn't prove it anyway. If you aren't scared of squeezing in a 351w, then by all means do it! However, if you end up building your own engine, do a 393w. The stroker crank is inexpensive and uses stock parts beyond that. It needs stock 302 pistons, which are cheaper than stock 351 pistons. Figure in the price you would have to pay to get the old crank reworked, with the piston price savings, the 393w is practically free compared to the 351w stock rebuild! (free stroker, as in almost same price...) Good luck Dave
I agree with Dave, .060 is way too much on a small block FORD street motor. Those thin walls could crack on you at anytime, and you'd be right back where you are now. I'd just rebuild the 302, you already have everything you need except the new internal parts. Even a mild 302 will move the light Maverick around good.
The early blocks will go .060 over typically with no problem(69-70 maybe 71) past that .040 is the outer limits. Some will go more but I would want to see an invoice showing the block was sonic tested. Even then I would likely pass unless it was ultra cheap. Then again if it seems to good to be true it likely is...... Build your 302. Plenty of them running 11's to 13's just on this sight. Unless you want the wow factor.(and the typical issues that come with this swap) I would gauge your own skills at this time before proceeding forward. If you know you can make it work then do what suits you. Sounds like a Cracked Piston or rings in your 302. I bought a jeep recently and was amazed it ran. Number 6 piston was in the oil pan in many pieces. Started up didn't knock. The converter was plugged. To much detanation. I cut the converter off before it would run. It would run for 10 minutes before enough crank case pressure built up . It shot the dipstick in the air and broke the plastic handle on the roof at work. Thats about 20 feet high lol.....Must have had at least one other cracked piston. I didn't look any farther. It was just a core at that point why waste the time.........
aaaaaww just go with the 302 and put a 347 stroker kit in it! you will have the room and the power all in one!
393w can be made for much cheaper than a 347... Which would you rather have now? More money in your pocket to go with gobs more power, or an inch extra room on the side of the engine? I'll take the dough and cubic inches, thank you! Dave
393w = 3.85 crank , stock windsor rods and 302 pistons (i think thats right...i just wanted post something for my 2k post
