351 Windsor Swap

I went all over my 392 when I first tried to start it. I thought it might have been a 302 cam, got it to run with the 302 firing order, but still not right. It took me about a week of messing with it after work before I realized I had stabbed the distributor 180 degrees out.

 

Yeah, I've sure done that one before. Ever since I put the SBC in my '91 Bravada I have learned to rotate the balancer to TDC before I put the valve covers on.

 

Sweet man glad to see everything worked out. Come on dry pavement Now I can't wait to get started on mine again. Been busy lately and haven't even had time to check in here in a long time.

 

which is most difficult and costly, the 302 or the 351c to install in a Maverick or Comet? I would imagine the 351c. and will they both require a modification of the shock towers? kafrompa

 

excuse the 17:50 question, I meant to ask if the installation of a 351w woud be more difficult and costly than a 302 to install into my 1971 Comet.

 

Yes the 351W or C will be harder to install than a 302. None REQUIRE modification of the shock towers but it does make changing plugs easier. The problem is the exhaust.......

 

Just thought I'd update... Still driving! The oil pressure problem I mentioned in this thread got resolved when I rolled in a new set of bearings a while back. Power steering, power brakes, AC, all still coexisting in tight quarters and working fine.


Not sure if I ever posted before/after shots...




This is pretty recent. The only changes from this pic are the distributor- I've gone back to the Accel billet one, satin black cap. And I've gone to a clutch fan with a conventional shroud. Otherwise, the pic above is how it looks today.

These next two here are older. First there's the final shot taken of the 302 before I did the swap. And then just for fun I've also included the oldest engine shot I have. This was right after I bought the car, but even by then I'd already made changes. Plug wires, distributor, air cleaner were added by me. Otherwise that pic shows what I first started with.

 

Nicely done upgrade. Was the performance gain of the 351 what u expected?
Also, what kind of solenoid is that on the pass side fenderwell nx to the relays?

 

I'd have to say yes. I am not at all disappointed by how it runs! Good and strong across a wide range of RPMs. The power is always there when I want it, it's hell on the highway and the torque is just brutal. Feels like it could pull a school bus out of a mud hole if it could get any traction. That's the only problem. Can't give it much throttle from a stop without breaking loose... I'll fix that later. For now it's a good problem to have.

The solenoid is just a later model Ford solenoid, like the type used on fox bodies.

 

Glad to hear your oil pressure issue is solved Drew...Told yah you would like the torque...

 

Ok! Gud to know. Thanks for the info. Glad it was worth the effort - I was following ur progress while working on it.

 

Well, I finally blew it up! Good riddance to that tired old block, lesson learned. Story and buildup of the new shortblock is here.