Hey Guys, I need some help here. I have a 351W that is suppose to be a 1968 model. I am not sure what year they started the 351W 68 or 69 myself, so need to try and identify exactly what year it is. I would like to get some other info on it such as, are the heads any good for performance, what type compression would it have. Basicly any perfomance info available. Not sure if it was a 2 or 4 barrel version, intake was missing. I am considering this motor for my 71 if it has any stock factory performance to it. Thanks for any info. Allen Small
On the bottom near the oil pan rail, toward the back of the block (on the passenger side I'm pretty sure) is the block number. My guess is it should be a 69 model and the number should start out with a C9. 69-74 blocks have a little more meat in the bottom end than later blocks. They can be machined for 4 bolt mains on 2,3,and 4 journals. Heads should have the code on the underside of the head on the intake side near where the push rods go through. Same code there as well - a 69 head should start with C9. You would have to cc the chambers to be sure what the compression is - but it should be 10:1 with flat top piston if it is really all stock 69 model. The 69 heads are pretty good for stock heads. They have larger valves. 2 and 4 barrel heads are the same as far as I know. Should be 1.54 exhaust and 1.84 intakes. The ports are similar to the E7 that came on the later moder (87 and up 5.0 HO motors). They can be ported to support a cam up to about .550 lift which could get you close 375- 400 hp. Just get a later model Duraspark electronic distibutor from a 351 and you should be good to go. Cleaver
On the right side of the block near the pan there is a code, if it is a 69 block it will start with c9 if it is a 70's block it will start with D something. The first 351 blocks where 69's they have a lower deck height than the later block produced after 74. The only thing this means is you will get a slightly hight compression than the later blocks. Deck heights are 9.480 for 69-74 and 9.500 for 74-95
look at the heads and check the numbers, on them also the numbers on the block. if they start with a C8 it's a 68, C9 its a 69, D0 its a 70 and so on. the C9 and D0 are the best 351w heads. however i spent $800 bucks on a set and could have bought a set of aluminum heads for only a couple of hundred more.
1969 was the first year of production. To my knowledge none were produced with a 4 barrel. Possibly some police versions. Compression ratios were 9.5:1 thru 1971. Then the bottom fell out into the 8.6:1 ratio. With todays technology on heads it is not really worth much to flow them out. Case in point, Dennis Martins Sprint and my Stallion both have the same bottom end and displacement, same rods, same pistons. His car runs a full second faster than mine. It is in the heads and also the fact that he has a roller cam, newer technology. The horsepower is made in the heads nowadays. So the 351 makes for more cubes to start with and you could end up with a killer with some good heads and cam. Just my .02 cents and others will offer their experience and knowledge as well. Should make for an informative if not debated thread. Dan
Thanks for all the info guys, I'll check it out tomorrow and let you know what I have for sure. Its a little to cold to go out there in the barn tonite. I'll wait till it hopefully warms up at least 20 tomorrow. Thanks again Allen Small
1969 was the Only year of the 351w 4 barrel engine ...it was rated at 290 horsepower and the engine code was M
the easiest way to identify a 351 from a 302 or 289 is to look at 1: look at the head bolts. They are 1/2" bolts with either a 3/4 hex or 13/16", where 302s were 5/8 or 11/16, or 2: pull a valve cover. if it's a 351, it'll have 351 cast into the head between the rockers (unless someone swapped some drilled 302 heads onto it).
I have an even easier way to identify a 351W...with or without heads on it. Look at the engine "web" right behind the distributor. It is taller on a 351. Once you have compared and seen the difference....they are easy to spot.
351 identity Thanks for the info guys, it is a 351W I just could not figure out what year model it was. Allen
M.A.V is right on the 4 barrel version. Lotta other mis-information here. The 4 bbl verssion ran 11:1 compression and the 2 bbl version was 9.5:1. The difference was in the pistons. The cam, heads and block were identical. The reason they didn't make it in 1970 was the new Cleveland engine debut, although the 2 bbl windsors could be found in a number of applications after 1969. Although the virst 351W showed up in 1968, they all had C9 component part numbers. The earliest C9 versions had a 3 bolt harmonic damper, then they switched to 4 bolt mid year.
Even easier way to identify 351w look where the timing cover and water pump mount you see block between the head and the cover on the 302 the heads sets right on it no space between the cover and the head :bananaman :bananaman
351 identity I took a look at the heads and it looks like they read C8 and the harmonic balancer pulley is a 3 bolt unit so I guess it is a late 68 early 69 unit according to some post here. It is a 2 barrel unit found the intake with it. Now will an intake from a 302 such as a Weiand Accelorator work on a 351, a long with headers or do you need to have specific headers for the 351W. Also is there any problems associated with the extra deck height of a 351W when installed in a Maverick. I do not want to cut hood at all. Thanks gain for all your input. Allen Small
headers will work as for intake the 302 is not as wide so it wont work and being a tall beck 351w there on there own too 68-69 intake
