ok. you may get pissed off at me for bringing this subject into the forum. i have a 1968 ford torino. Not a mustang, but slightly similar, since the torino is a spinoff of the mustang. i would like to have a mustang, but my dad's dad bought the car brand new. Ok, to the point. i need to restore the car, becuase it's been sitting since 1988. now, i've been pondering for awhile about whether to put a 351 windsor in it with either gt-40 heads or Roush racing heads. Or, should i go with a 302? i really want to put something that's small for gas mileage reasons, while also getting some high horsepower and torque. so what should i do for the maximum results?



Please, somebody help me.

 

there's a little saying there's no misplacment for displacment. The 351 will diffinently feel like it has more power because of the torque advantage it has over the 302. And torque is what puts that seat off your pants feeling into the picture. Hope I helped.

 

well, i'm also wondering what build i should do if i choose the 351. what pistons, cams, heads, crankshafts, intake, exhaust, etc. i wanna go with edelbrock and holley as far as intake and exhaust.

 

The 71-73 Mustangs were based on the Torino suspension, which itself owes its life to the Fairlane.

Anyway, if you want good economy and power with a carb, you'll want a big-torque cam sized for your gearing and a heck of a tune. You'll also want to avoid the highest flowing heads and go with slightly smaller ports to enhance port velocity at low rpm's.

With the weight of a Torino, the 351 may actually get better fuel economy than the 302 due to its torque advantage.

 

so basically, go with the 351 windsor with some 302 heads and a 750CFM Holley?

 

Why post twice about the same thing? Who builds a Torino for gas milage anyways?

 

well, i just don't want my wallet draining out on gas. i'm not talking about 20 mpg on the highway or anything. i just want some serious power. so what's the best way to go?

 

Serious horsepower and great fuel economy do not mix. However, there is a happy medium. I think that in a boat like that Torino that you might actually get better economy with a 351, due to the torque availability vs. weight of the car. What's your budget? You can buy a decent 351 for $500, do a head/cam/intake (h/c/i) swap for another 2,200-ish (I recommend Trick Flow components, they make a top end kit for the 302 but you'd have to piece it together for the 351- that cam is too mild for a 351). You'd be looking at maybe 400hp with that. You would also have to buy lifters, pushrods, etc, but it would be nice. What engine is in there right now?

 

finally someone who can help!! ok, right now there is the original 302. it was wrecked in 79 by my dad, but i think he kept the motor. didn't do much to it either. it's been sitting for 18 years through hot summers and cold winters. the freeze plugs on it blew back in the late 80's or very early 90's. anyways, thanx for the help so far. i'll keep y'all up-to-date on what imma do. the way it looks, though, i won't start til next spring. i'm only almost 16 anyways.

 

I would say keep the 302 block since you already have it, as long as it's not cracked from having it's plugs blown out. Get an inexpensive 347 kit and have a lighter engine with similar displacement as the 351. If all you want is little get up and go, you'll be more than happy, even in the slightly larger Torino. I've seen plenty of people making over 600 horse on a natually aspirated 347, so your definetly not going to be limited by it's size. However if the plan includes any serious racing, maybe a power adder, you'll want the larger mains on the 351 block.