Hello all, It's been a long while since I last posted. I want to share some of our experiences. My Dad & I finished the 351W to replace the stock 302. We started with a remanufactured 351 from Proformance engines. We ordered the 351 with the D00E casting heads which are some of the better factory heads. We then replaced the stock cam with a Crane Powermax 204/216*@.050 duration .456/.484 lift cam. We opted for a Comp double roller timing chain. For the intake, we used the good old Edelbrock Performer 351 and a Holley 1850 (600cfm) vacuum secondary carb. Due to clearance issues, we still have the stock 302 exhaust manifolds on the car. It does have 2.25" dual exhaust with Flowmaster 40's and an H-pipe. For spark, we used a re-manned Duraspark distributor with a coil & electronic ignition module taken from a late 80's Ford pickup. After the engine break-in and ignition/carb tuning, we took it for a test drive. The power and throttle response is excellent! The right rear tire now leads a tortured life! Now, if we could find headers that fit, it would be Having said all of the above, If we had do do it all again, we would go with a 347 stroker built the same as above. Why? CLEARANCE! The 351W was never intended to be installed in a Maverick or Comet. Just though I would share our success and lessons learned. Mark
Your combination is a lot like mine ... I bet it is tight with those manifolds. I couldn't see how mine would ever work. We modified a set of used Cougar headers for mine. Did you cut the shock towers? My oil filter was very close and when the towers were cut, I also had it recessed to run a full oil filter. Otherwise, there is a Mopar part number filter that is a bit shorter. Also similar to you, I would advise anyone to go to a stroked 302 instead. I will be pulling my motor soon and if it needs more than rings and bearings, I may go 331. That bore/stroke is supposed to rev really well. If you want headers for this, a bunch of folks here have been praising Crites headers and they are getting ready to do a limited production run. Might still be time for you to get a deposit in to have a set made. http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=49075&highlight=crites+headers
Captain, We cut a least 1.5" from each shock tower. This helped alot with spark plug clearance. Even with the stock manifolds the exhaust is still tight. I'll have to tell my dad about the Crites headers. Thanks.
well I think there is still something awesome about having a 351. But from all that I've seen a stroked 302 seems to be so much more convenient. I was wondering how come you guys didn't consider having the filter relocated, isn't that a simple thing to do?
Mashori, I agree that having all the torque from a 351 is a blast. A rear gear bigger than a 3:55 is almost excessive on the street. The car is light enough that traction becomes the limiting factor. On a drag strip it was a lot of fun. I read that a 331 revs really well, and that is the main attraction to me as a next step. Might have to swap in a 5 speed, too. But, it the 351 is healthy, it will stay. I am on a tight budget, that would be better invested in things like paint, etc. The notch for the oil filter is really minor. The filter will clear, but it touches the tower. I was afraid that if the motor torqued over, it would be bending the filter. The notch is perhaps an inch square. It is on a corner, so you can cut out the piece, turn it around and weld it back in and it becomes an indent. Mp1966, You will like the cut shock towers. So much easier to change plugs. I was reading the Crites headers require a cut to the middle rib in the tower so be ready to possibly work on it a little more. I don't know how low on the tower they are talking about.
