Hey guys, I have an opportunity to buy a standard bore, 351 Roller Block with casting number F4TE-6015-AA-14 from a buddy for $500. The description reads: "It's a roller 351W longblock it comes with the roller shortblock with all the internals. F4TE block, I don't know the miles, but it is standard bore and the hatching is still very visible in the bores. The cylinder hatching is still really visible. Both heads with rockers and valve covers cam, timing chain, cam, hyd roller lifters, lifter spyder and pushrods, front cover, water pump, balancer and crank pulley." and "A few more details on the engine. The engine was some type of Ford Crate motor that was in a Bronco. It is not a Motorsport engine and has regular iron 351 heads." my note: I think it's a '94 model that was used in trucks. I've searched for info on the 351 swap and think I can get there with the informatin I found. I've also looked on other sites for price comparison. I can drive 15 mile to house and pick it up. My 1st thought would be to po-boy stroke it to 393 c.i. (I have a 347 c.i. in the car now) and have it as a spare motor when the 347 block eventually cracks down the middle. My 2nd thought was that if I didn't use it in the Maverick, I could keep it for when my 302 dies in my '94 F150. Does any of my friends on here have an opinion about the attributes/characteristics of the engine itself (strong, weak, okay, no opinion?) and does $500 sound like a reasonably fair price for that setup? I intend to take a break-over bar, some WD-40 (to spray on top of the pistons) and rotate it a few turns (to ensure there is no binding). Any other words of wisdom from those in-the-know? Thanks. I value your opinions. Rick
I would say for $500 get it! You can always get your money back out of it. Did you ask why they pulled the engine to begin with? If it doesn't have a pan on it inspect the main webs.
Good thinking. I'll ask him to let me drop the pan and take a look-see for anything obvious. RE: "Why the engine was pulled" I found that my buddy (Doug) is the second owner of the motor. I PM'd the original owner to quiz him but have yet to hear back from him. Doug will probably know the info when I go over there today. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have bought the engine to begin with if he knew there was anything wrong with it. He said he's lost interest in stroking it for his Fox Mustang (which was the reason he bought the motor to begin with).
Rick, If you decide against it, tell me where it is and I will take it. From the pics, it looks really nice, and decent price.
Well, I'm back. Executive Summary: I passed on the deal (at least for now). My buddy (who is working on my Maverick) went with me to look at it. The engine appears to be in great shape. The three of us (me, my buddy and the seller - also a friend) talked about why I might buy the the motor: 1) Bore and Stroke it for the Maverick as a back-up, more powerful motor a) Toss out the crank - no use for it b) Toss out the E7 heads - no use for them c) Toss out the pistons, rods, rockers, etc., no use for them d) All I could really use off it would be the block and the timing chain cover. Conclusion: Not feasable. I'd rather spend less on a solid lifter block and buy all forged components, new heads, crank, etc. 2) Use it as a back-up for when my 302 takes a crap in my F-150 a) Would have to buy new intake (upper/lower). b) Would rework heads (just to be on safe side) c) Would have to buy new exhaust (Y-pipe). d) Would buy new oil pump, timing chain, and bearings minimum e) Would have to buy other unknowns Conclusion: Not feasible: I'd rather rebuild the std bore 5.0 that's in the truck now and upgrade the heads/cam maybe to gain a little more h.p./torque for much less money than it would take to get the 351 up and running in the truck. Scott, if I haven't talked you out of buying it yourself, PM me and I'll set you up. -Rick
Rick I talked to the wife... :16suspect you already know it's bad... She thinks she needs to buy school clothes before I get another motor (she teaches kindergarten). Can you imagine a woman that thinks like that :confused: :confused: :confused: Maybe in a few months, if it is still around, I will PM you.
Actually, my take on it is this (I still run a mostly stock 302, not a 347 stroker): 1) use the heads on my current 302, maybe port them out, and keep driving. 2) toss all but the block, and spend the next few months blueprinting, stroking, and rebuiling the 351. 3) Praying that the damned thing will fit between the shock towers when I am done... Hmmm...let me get back to you on that. If I do a couple of side jobs in the next few weeks, I might be able to get it without telling her. Just cover it in a blanket, and... OK guys...I need help explaining the big covered object in the garage
The heads should be standard 90s, nothing better than the E7s, probably a tad worse, as the heads did get a little worse until the GT40s were common parts. Hardly worth the trouble. Not a noticable upgrade over late eighties or early seventies heads.
Good suggestions! Thanks. Sad thing, my birthday is July 31 (NEXT WEEK ) and I still can't talk her into it. Well, at least she is agreeing to let me drive her to the Maverick Meet in Kentucky
