the 69-73 blocks have a shorter deck height than the 74 and up blocks. If it were me I'd look for a 74-80 351W and a set of aftermarket heads.....oh wait....that's what I have.

 

Well,, I know the 69 - 74 blocks are tall enough to make at least a 408,,,,,

69 - 74 Blocks had a deck height of 9.480 while
75 - 84 Blocks had a deck height of 9.503
a difference of .023, I don't think that this dimensional change
would make much (any?) difference on it's own.

That is like less than 1/43rd of an inch....

Keep it below 500 HP and I don't think the year of the block will make any difference... IMO of course...

Put a girdle on either one if you want more than 500 HP.....

 

The '69 Windsor block is historically known to be amongst the strongest of the blocks Ford produced. I have personally witnessed 750hp '69 blocks that have ran and ran and ran. The issue I have seen is finding one that has not already had the cylinders bored to max, you can always sleeve (steel sleeves are stronger anyhow).

But bottom line, the '69 Windsor is long revered as somewhat bulletproof.

 

id look for a 94-96 351 block so ud hav e aroller cam plus you can get onereasonably that might not even need a rebuild from a boneyard

 

since its got the mustang 2 kit why not go big block fe or 385

 

whatever you do keep in carbureted

 

I plan on staying carberated no matter what. I dont know if I want to jump to the big block. I have very little knowledge of the ford big blocks and I dont really know if that is what I want. I plan on driving this car three or four days a week. What are my big block options and what can I pull them out of? Additionally, what ever I decide on, I want to stick with a manual set up. Will a big block allow that?

 

Carburetion FTW!!!!! Better atomisation and cheaper. And big blocks for street use are heavy and expensive. You'd have to make more power than a small block to make up for the weight offset, especially over the front in an already frontheavy car. You end up with worse weight transfer and more understeer.

 

yeah I figure I will stay with the 351....now I gotta find one! Thanks