Been through so many threads on so many different sites, but I still need to ask. I had my mind set on a 302.

So I thought I was getting a 302 out of a Lincoln Versalle, got a call today that the motor is a 351. We're tearing the car down and rebuilding it, expect to do the same with the motor but do I really want a 351? My biggest concern is how the car will handle with the additional weight. The po did the shelby drop and the tires already hit the fenders.

I understand it will be tight and I'll be getting headers from Hedman or JBA but...

When I do the brakes I was thinking about going with csrp, will I still be able to use them. I was looking at their swap 3. Is that still an option. I'd like power brakes.

I also plan on upgrading to power rack steering, will the 351 impact this.

 

i'm doing a 351 based also. There is no real big weight difference, about a hundred pounds, which can be shaved with alum intake and heads. "There's no replacement for displacement" Everything else you want should work fine. The car should only see a 5/8" drop with the shelby drop, so your front springs might be sagging or prob they are lowering springs. You could change them to a 600 rate and bring the front end back up. Go with the 351, i'd say

 

302 Long Block weight is 485 lbs. The 351W long block is 530 lbs. The difference is thicker casting, higher deck height and larger bearing journals.
The heads weigh the same, so the short block weight would be approximately 45 lbs difference. The 351W has a taller deck heigth 9.5" inch vs. 8.2" inch for the 302. So you will have to remember this when closing the hood for the first time if you have a carb spacer installed.

 

Well the donor motor and trans is sitting on the floor of the garage. Gonna go tear into it now and see exactly what I got.

The car was sitting low with Promotorsports 9.0R springs and the shelby drop. Not sure if the springs were cut or not.