Someone is trying to sell me a engine out of a 69 mustang coupe, they claim it is a 351W but the block color is red? the numbers are rubbed off on the block so thats not helping... it seems to be the original paint Ive scratched to red paint off to the bare metal nothing else under neath... Also I bought sparkplugs to put in the 351 but normal 351w plugs would not fit? is it possible? HElp?

 

did you buy it already? or are you just buying parts for it? without numbers you can't tell really what the hell it is. there should be a few places to find the numbers and even so, seeing as one set is scratched off, i wouldn't bother. just my .02 cents

 

Sounds fishy. The block color is blue. However, that could have been changed over the years by sandblasting the block and repainting it red. Dumb, but possible. The spark plugs require a 5/8" socket.

 

Glen, there's more than one spot on the block to find the numbers, right? like on the top of the block and back by the starter?

yellow, where did you locate the numbers on the block?

 

I checked on the top but I will look by the starter, didnt buy it yet, just trying to get it cranked as of now... also the guy says he bought a lot of new stuff that comes with it but wont fit...like a set of headers for a 351W (thats what he thinks it is) but he said had to drill out the holes on it retread them(on the headers) and also the alternator he had for a 351W wouldnt fit either...I am wondering if it is a 302 or maybe a 351 from the 70's or maybe a 351M/400...

 

try and find another set of numbers. a lot of this doesn't add up to me. you said he thinks its a 351w, it could be a 351c or it could be a 350 chevy. there are a few variables here to consider. how well do you know this guy?

 

It is all adding up to disaster. If none of those W parts fit, it ain't a W. I'd walk away and look for an engine where you can get some numbers off it. Yeah, behind the starter would be the block number, but I woluldn't even bother taking the starter out. This guy has no idea what he has.
On edit: Just for grins, look on the intake manifold behind the carburetor and see if the firing order is stamped there. The 351 had a unique firing order......13726548

 

It has a holley dominator intake ...aftermarket....

 

yeah, cut your losses. sounds like it may turn out to be a headache. not trying to burst your bubble, but there's too many variables. nothing fits, the numbers have been filed off and the intake has been replaced (not un-common, but hinders matching numbers). walk away and try again. i got a steal on a 302 block with a .030 overbore just to find out one of my mounts would have to be welded on cause one of the two spots where it bolts on on the one side is busted off. no big, but i could have spent that money on something else.

 

Most likely its a 351M or C, parts from a 302 would fit. The timing cover would tell if it is not a ford all old fords use similary looking covers cevys are completly different. As with everyone else I would pass ecspecially if the made mods to it to make the wrong parts fit like the headers.