351 Windsor

[OttawaFFRer]

One of the joys of building a roadster is choosing the options for your build.

Now that I've purchased myself a nice 351 windsor roller block, and made anchor of a nice 302, I've started reading posts regarding this new choice.

I've been reading about header fitment issues and hood clearance problems...

Might some of you with 351's enlighten me. Which headers should I be looking at? I am dreaming of upgrading the efi to something a bit more period correct looking, I'd like an air filter for looks at the least although stacks would be nice but run 3k+.

All opinions are appreciated.

[Someday I Suppose]

I have Edelbrock Victor Jr heads on mine on didn't have any issues with headers. I have the hooker 351W headers and got lucky with a good pair, no issues there. I THINK most of the issues as far as height has been with the Z heads.

I did have hood clearance issues, but right now I have the Edelbrock Air Gap dual carb manifold on it which I think added a little height.

Also, on the bottom side, I am using the Energy Suspension motor mounts which are the lower height. I had issues with the pan height and ended up with an aviad oil pan which is really nice, but they are a bit on the pricey side.

_Scott

[Bill_VA]

351 guy here. I think you made a good choice. I went this route mainly to not have a Mustang engine in my car (not that there's anything wrong with that), and to allow for cubic inch upgradability (427 stroker) if desired. Parts for a 351 vs 302 are a little more scarce, but plentiful enough. I'm running an Edelbrock RPM Performer intake and Demon carb with oval Cobra air cleaner (with 3" K&N filter). I have about 3/8" clearance between the air cleaner and body. My FFR supplied Hooker headers are fine, not the greatest flanges. If I ever have them off again I'll take them to a machine shop and have them milled/filled until flat. No hood clearance issues.

[OttawaFFRer]

Thanks gents.

Bill_VA, once I tore apart my donor and spread everything out I grabbed the spindles and rolled out the axle and thought about how much fun that was. If I'm going to rebuild, possibly stroke, and add nice upper end parts I figured I might as well spend a couple hundred on a 351.

Cheers,
Vic

[timp2]

I have a 351W with the Edelbrock Performer RPM heads and Hooker headers. Headers are a pain, although not that difficult to install. You can do a lot of searching and find some good advice. I split the flanges between the header tubes so that the flange would conform to the head better and help prevent leaks. I first used the Edelbrock gaskets but switched to Remflex (remflex.com) after a gasket failure. Pay attention to welding on the header flanges where they are welded to the tubes. Check them with a straightedge and grind down any high spots. That is what caused my failure with the Edelbrock gaskets. I elongated a couple of the bolt holes in the flanges because the holes are so close to the tubes and the angle of the tubes are such that they would not fit any other way. After trying several different fasteners I ended up with Allen screws because of their relatively small contact area and also because it is impossible to tighten a couple of the fasteners properly with hex heads. I purchased a set of allen drivers that have rounded heads so that the allen screws can be driven from a slight angle which was just enough to get by the header tubes. Start the most difficult fasteners first and then only a thread or two at a time, once you get it started draw it down evenly so that the fasteners dont get cockeyed in relation to the flange which makes it difficult or impossible to turn them. Due to the extreme compresability of the Remflex gaskets they keep the fasteners from backing out because they are thick and have a "memory" so that they are always trying to uncompress. This was my experience, Hope it helps.

[ThreePointTwo]

I also used a 351W (bored and stroked to 427) and had no big problems with the headers from FFR. I did have to grind the flange on the bottom for clearance for the spark plug tool. As manufactured, the socket hit the flange and spark plug removal wasn't possible.

The trick I use to tighten the header bolts is to use two different wrenches. The two wrenches have slightly different head angles and between the two, I can always get on the flats to turn them.

On selecting heads, just be careful that you choose a set that does not have "raised ports" if you want to use the stock headers.

[OttawaFFRer]

What heads are you using?

I've got the block in the back of the pickup so its a done deal.

I'm also looking at the edelbrock intake a 4 barrel efi, the price of it seems too good to be true and I can put an air filter on it for an authentic look. Any of you guys running it? What are you running for a computer?

Thanks.
Vic

[ThreePointTwo]

I am running RHS aluminum heads and a carb.

[Bob Cowan]

Air cleaner height can be a problem, depending on what intake you're using . The high rise and Air Gap manifolds in particular. You'lll end up using a dropped base or very short air cleaner, which can limit power.

Headers are another issue. FFR has switched designes a couple of times, sometimes with poor results. Header flange to gasket fit has not been very good. But that can be fixed by ditching the gasket and using silicone. The other issue has been outlet position. As the company who makes them changes, so does the outlet point. Sometimes you'll have massage the body opening to get a good fit.

[CraigS]

I have a 351 w/ Edl Performer RPM heads and intake.I have whatever headers FFR was supplying in 03-04 on my late late MkII.No problems at all w/ fit. I did get some of Breeze's tapered spacers to get the sidepipes at a better angle more parallel w/ the body.

[OttawaFFRer]

I am down to the bare block ready for the machine shop, the roller block came with a roller cam and lifters which I have heard is not always the case...I can also still see crosshatching in the bores! I'm not sure of the exact year of the block as the number on the block is F**E, the year is gone for some reason.

It came out of an 96 van and the exhaust manifold has at F4 code so it is later than 94.

At this point I'm looking at a 393 or 408 stroker. I have decided to go with carb over efi. I'm not concerned with mileage, its cheaper, and there will be less wiring to fight.

If any of you want to help me spend my money, comments are always welcome!

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx175/ottrunner/stopmotionandengine040.jpg
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx175/ottrunner/stopmotionandengine038.jpg

[Sherrell]

You will NOT regret the 351W. Mine is a roller with Edelbrock Street Performer Heads, FMS Al high-rise, 670 Street Avenger carb, and Factory Five (Headman?) headers.
NO fitment issues at all, though the headers are within 1/4" of the expanded footboxes on one side. TKO-600 tranny. Car is absolutely awesome in 2nd gear and a joy to drive on the street. You will love your 351W!

[BigLeo69]

make sure you get a good rotating assembly
the 392/393 is a good one uses 351w rods and 302 pistons and a 400m or a 351m crank machined can't remember off the top of my head right know, that was my first choice for my 351 but some dumbass(me) at one time cleaned the garage and pitched the stock rods
i handbuilt a 372w stroker the crankshaft is a stock ford crank offset ground to a 3.640 stroke and rod journals cut to chebby journals to use 6.2 cheeby rods comes in around 10.6:1 compression with 0-deck she will make around 480torque
my brother is building one of my other choices 351w same stroke but pistons are short with the 400m rod length (6.480 i believe) they call it a long-arm stroker actually a very nice dwelling engine
if you got any ?'s on "thinking out of the box" strokers PM me maybe i can help
Leo

[charles roybal]

No problem with AFR heads....stroke it 408 will give you a moster.

[ratdog]

427w and I have no issues with the victor jr intake and the quick fuel carb

[CraigS]

Whatever you do it will be great.W/ a stroked 351 you will have plenty of power so keep things conservative so it drives nice.Mild cam and stay on the small end of carb sizing for whatever your cid ends up being and it will be a great car to drive.