am0608

Hi I'm looking at buying a car and was told it has a 351w in it just wondering if anyone can tell from the pic's if it's a 351w or just a 302 thanks.

Duncan_GT

I think the valve covers should say, although those don't look to be original. The 351w block have a casting number underneath the block by the starter. Otherwise, I would take the carb off and look in the lifter valley. I'll post a pic later tonight about what I'm talking about, but in the lifter valley is a stamped "351" with "WCP", meaning Windsor Casting Plant.

tinman

NEVER go by what it says on a valve cover. I could make you a 427 in 40 seconds, LOL.
The 351 has about an inch higher deck than a 302 making the engine a lot wider looking.
The 351 was not ever offered in a standard Mustang either.
That car looks like a 302 to me....

Duncan_GT

Hahaha. I was thinking of a completely stock 351w when I said that. Isn't there a casting number on them?

tinman

You'll need to get the car on a lift and remove the starter to see the casting numbers.....

rmodel65

measure the width of the intake manifold...the 351w is wider. from the pic it looks like a 302

Venomantidote95

Well the intake is almost the same width as the carb i`m going with 302 99% sure, a 351 intake will be quite a bit wider than the carb!

Also a 351w would put the vlv cover closer to the master cylinder.

I do believe a stock 351 has the dipstick tube in the timing cover cant remember 100% though... been a while since i seen a stock 351w setup..

but to do the fox swap the retro oilpan kit is used moving the dipstick to the pan anyway! so that isnt a dead hit! is the dipstick in the oil pan or the block?

thunderjet429

You could just take a 351w oil pump driveshaft and see if it fits the distributor, if it is to big it is a 302.

fastbackford351

The quickest way to identify a 351W from a 302 is that with the 302 it looks like the heads are sitting right on top of where the water pump/timing chain cover bolts to the block and on a 351w there is about an inch between the timing chain cover and the bottom of the heads.

Also if you look at the intake manifold right behind the distributor the 289/302 is straight up and a 351w has a 'step' up.

Christopher Mandingo Castro

Its a 302 for sure. I wish i could fit the 302 radiator hose over my alternator. Also the right thermostat bolt is almost behind the pump requiring a 1/2 wrench. with a 351 theres so much room you could use an extension a reg socket.