351W or C "engine bay fitting"
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 345
From: Louisiana
351W or C "engine bay fitting"
OK, just to get my bearings on this and to possibly eliminate some of these engines that I have laying around to make more room, I would like to ask y'alls expertise on which one I'm going to keep for the 67 convertible when/if I decide to do a V-8 swap.
Currently I have:
351M, tanked, ported/polished, 260 cam, stock rebuilt heads w stainless valves, manual flywheel/clutch, have a high rise with dual 525cfm Demons was supposed to be for it, etc, was built for a 1979 F-150 4X4 as an extra if I blew the 400 tunnel ram but I ended up selling the truck.
351 Windsor, running junkyard pull.
351 Clevland, as pulled, ran but I stripped it. No carb intake or exhaust manifolds but thats not an issue.
390 non FE. I pulled this one from the severed front of a 68 mustang actually
428 block that is a regular 428 out of a thunderbird. No heads, just block, crank, pistons, etc.
361 Edsel that I actually pulled from a old wrecked cop car! Somewhat complete but without oil pump, carbs, oil pan. Threw a rod too but did no considerable damage that I cant fix.
OK, I will be getting rid of these except for one for the 67. I already have the 351M posted in places for $650 and want it gone.
Will be posting the others soon.
What would be best to drop into the 67 engine bay coupled to a T-5? I dont want allot of weight up there so due to the expense and size along with the difficulty in mods the 428 is out and I'm pretty sure the 390 too after what I've read about the handling issues.
I have heard that the 351 Windsor is the best choice and thats what I was thinking on keeping for it unless I have been mislead.
I have been told the 351W actually fits better in the engine bay and will actually mate up to the mustang engine mounts with ease??????????
I did a search here and I find lots of 351W and C posts but nothing really detailed comes up regarding fit, weight, and suspension issues for the 351W.
Would the C be a better choice?
An Edsel powered mustang might be neat
Currently I have:
351M, tanked, ported/polished, 260 cam, stock rebuilt heads w stainless valves, manual flywheel/clutch, have a high rise with dual 525cfm Demons was supposed to be for it, etc, was built for a 1979 F-150 4X4 as an extra if I blew the 400 tunnel ram but I ended up selling the truck.
351 Windsor, running junkyard pull.
351 Clevland, as pulled, ran but I stripped it. No carb intake or exhaust manifolds but thats not an issue.
390 non FE. I pulled this one from the severed front of a 68 mustang actually
428 block that is a regular 428 out of a thunderbird. No heads, just block, crank, pistons, etc.
361 Edsel that I actually pulled from a old wrecked cop car! Somewhat complete but without oil pump, carbs, oil pan. Threw a rod too but did no considerable damage that I cant fix.
OK, I will be getting rid of these except for one for the 67. I already have the 351M posted in places for $650 and want it gone.
Will be posting the others soon.
What would be best to drop into the 67 engine bay coupled to a T-5? I dont want allot of weight up there so due to the expense and size along with the difficulty in mods the 428 is out and I'm pretty sure the 390 too after what I've read about the handling issues.
I have heard that the 351 Windsor is the best choice and thats what I was thinking on keeping for it unless I have been mislead.
I have been told the 351W actually fits better in the engine bay and will actually mate up to the mustang engine mounts with ease??????????
I did a search here and I find lots of 351W and C posts but nothing really detailed comes up regarding fit, weight, and suspension issues for the 351W.
Would the C be a better choice?
An Edsel powered mustang might be neat
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,035
From: Delaware(US) & Nova Scotia(Canada)
Toss or give the M away...
The W is a 'tall block' per say as its taller than the 289/302 and C blocks as well as slightly wider then 289/302 blocks. The C is quite a bit wider and fits very tightly between the 67/68 shock towers where as the W is a bit more forgiving here. Where you need to watch with the W is what intake/carb, spacers (yeah ok...) and air cleaner on top as stock hood is VERY tight. Many people highly suggest going with a cowl hood.
Not sure if there is really much weight difference between the W/C though both are a bit heavier then the 298/302. Really though... any V8 swap your gonna have to build up the front suspension, rear end, etc. Doesn't matter if its a 289 or 427 here... it needs to be done.
Big blocks are great.... in a straight line! Small blocks are lighter, can still product gobs of power and allow for much better handling.
I'm replacing the 298 from our car with a 351w myself and would suggest it to anyone. It is a better fit for general installation and maintenance. Much more in the world of aftermarket parts available for the W then the C. Both can be made into power monsters but its generally easier with the W. Since you have the W already I think you'd be farther ahead with it and sell the others.
Personally here... I don't know if I'd do a V8 swap. Think I'd leave it as a I6 and just go find another one thats already a V8. Just seems easier and cheaper to me in the long run here.
The W is a 'tall block' per say as its taller than the 289/302 and C blocks as well as slightly wider then 289/302 blocks. The C is quite a bit wider and fits very tightly between the 67/68 shock towers where as the W is a bit more forgiving here. Where you need to watch with the W is what intake/carb, spacers (yeah ok...) and air cleaner on top as stock hood is VERY tight. Many people highly suggest going with a cowl hood.
Not sure if there is really much weight difference between the W/C though both are a bit heavier then the 298/302. Really though... any V8 swap your gonna have to build up the front suspension, rear end, etc. Doesn't matter if its a 289 or 427 here... it needs to be done.
Big blocks are great.... in a straight line! Small blocks are lighter, can still product gobs of power and allow for much better handling.
I'm replacing the 298 from our car with a 351w myself and would suggest it to anyone. It is a better fit for general installation and maintenance. Much more in the world of aftermarket parts available for the W then the C. Both can be made into power monsters but its generally easier with the W. Since you have the W already I think you'd be farther ahead with it and sell the others.
Personally here... I don't know if I'd do a V8 swap. Think I'd leave it as a I6 and just go find another one thats already a V8. Just seems easier and cheaper to me in the long run here.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 345
From: Louisiana
Toss or give the M away...
The W is a 'tall block' per say as its taller than the 289/302 and C blocks as well as slightly wider then 289/302 blocks. The C is quite a bit wider and fits very tightly between the 67/68 shock towers where as the W is a bit more forgiving here. Where you need to watch with the W is what intake/carb, spacers (yeah ok...) and air cleaner on top as stock hood is VERY tight. Many people highly suggest going with a cowl hood.
Not sure if there is really much weight difference between the W/C though both are a bit heavier then the 298/302. Really though... any V8 swap your gonna have to build up the front suspension, rear end, etc. Doesn't matter if its a 289 or 427 here... it needs to be done.
Big blocks are great.... in a straight line! Small blocks are lighter, can still product gobs of power and allow for much better handling.
I'm replacing the 298 from our car with a 351w myself and would suggest it to anyone. It is a better fit for general installation and maintenance. Much more in the world of aftermarket parts available for the W then the C. Both can be made into power monsters but its generally easier with the W. Since you have the W already I think you'd be farther ahead with it and sell the others.
Personally here... I don't know if I'd do a V8 swap. Think I'd leave it as a I6 and just go find another one thats already a V8. Just seems easier and cheaper to me in the long run here.
The W is a 'tall block' per say as its taller than the 289/302 and C blocks as well as slightly wider then 289/302 blocks. The C is quite a bit wider and fits very tightly between the 67/68 shock towers where as the W is a bit more forgiving here. Where you need to watch with the W is what intake/carb, spacers (yeah ok...) and air cleaner on top as stock hood is VERY tight. Many people highly suggest going with a cowl hood.
Not sure if there is really much weight difference between the W/C though both are a bit heavier then the 298/302. Really though... any V8 swap your gonna have to build up the front suspension, rear end, etc. Doesn't matter if its a 289 or 427 here... it needs to be done.
Big blocks are great.... in a straight line! Small blocks are lighter, can still product gobs of power and allow for much better handling.
I'm replacing the 298 from our car with a 351w myself and would suggest it to anyone. It is a better fit for general installation and maintenance. Much more in the world of aftermarket parts available for the W then the C. Both can be made into power monsters but its generally easier with the W. Since you have the W already I think you'd be farther ahead with it and sell the others.
Personally here... I don't know if I'd do a V8 swap. Think I'd leave it as a I6 and just go find another one thats already a V8. Just seems easier and cheaper to me in the long run here.
Well the M I built for offroad and i'd like to see it go to someone who will use it for that so hopefully I will find a buyer.
Ah this is what I needed to know, so you are saying that I would have better header clearance with the W as well too right? I sorta figured on keeping the W and wanted to pass it by you fellas first since y'all have done them already.
I figure I will need new springs and such for the front, I've already got a poly bushing kit installed. I dont know if I'm going to go with disc's though. I think I may just stick with the 5 lug drums since I have those already and a 8" or 9" axle and set of springs. I'm thinking maybe a set of 390 springs will work too and can get them from NPD.
Gonna lighten up the W as much as I can too with aluminum heads, timing cover, oil pan, etc. I'm not going to build a super hot engine, just something with a little pep and not a 302 because I'm sick of messing with them.
Please document your conversion if possible, I would love to see the pics and your progress so I can get an idea of how you fit it in there.
If it wasn't for the fact its a 67 and easy to convert without a bunch of control arm work like the 65-66 then I would say yeah and hunt for a V-8 if that desire hit me but the 67-68 are a breeze to do a factory conversion to.
And it is staying a I-6 for the long run, I'm just keeping the parts handy if I decide to go to a V-8. I want to have everything on hand for that possibility so I wont have to hunt parts in the future.
Last edited by EZFEED; Apr 7, 2009 at 01:02 AM.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 345
From: Louisiana
6th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,417
From: Cork, Ireland
throwing the torque of a 351 onto a T5 is chancing it, anything bigger will just blow that thing to smithereens
I personally would use the 351W. or you go insane with one of the bigger blocks, but that would call for a proper Tremec 500/600 if you have to go manaul 5 spd ...
I personally would use the 351W. or you go insane with one of the bigger blocks, but that would call for a proper Tremec 500/600 if you have to go manaul 5 spd ...
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 630
From: El Paso, TX
The Windsors are better short blocks but the Cleveland heads can be quite nice. Why not combine them. Assuming the Cleveland heads are 2V. I haven't done it but I really wanna try it now since hearing about it. I believe it closely resembles the Boss 302 engine (with a 302 of course, but there is nothing wrong with using a 351W.)
Clevor.
Clevor.