[DAVID GAGNARD]

Concobra:

I've been doing a lot of research on this project in the last week or two and have read many articles, including the one you posted,both pro and con on this combo. I'm no engineer, but I enjoy doing the research and fairly well understand the principles involved.

I understand the points made in your post and do not disagree with them, but I've seen many posts/articles from other sites, mostly 4x4/Mustang related sites where this engine combo was used and have not seen one bad report yet. The 4x4 guys like it for the low end torque and the Mustang guys like it for the same reason and simple,inexpensive build using inexpensive factory parts. The Mustang guys are using this engine for eveything from a daily driver to dedicated drag racing with good results...

I've spoken at length to an old friend who has been a mechanic for the last 46 years (jet engine/piston engine,gas/piston engine,diesel) and he has his thoughts on this combo, he thinks it can't hurt, but also thinks the "long rod" theory may be somewhat exagerated as your article suggest, but he did say "go for it, it can't hurt to try"...

The 351 W in the 4x4 right now has served it purpose well and with the cam in it right now has very good low end torque to get the heavy truck going, we don't need a high rpm screamer for this application. In fact, I have the very same camshaft in my 65 fastback with a 351 W, been in the car since the mid 90's and I love the way it idles and the power band is great from off idle to 5,000 rpms.....that's why we put the same cam in the 4x4.....the old 351 W in the 4x4 is "tired" and has been abused somewhat and is due for a rebuild......
The 351 W in the 4x4 right now has the stock pistons/rods, the 484/272 crane cam, aluminum dual plane intake and a Edlebrock 600 carb, topped off with an early set of 289 head, the heads have been polished/ported and have had larger than stock valves installed... I'm not sure these are the best heads for this 351 W and we may have found an older used set of Edlebrock alum. heads for the rebuild. The 289 heads do work well with the present combo as his rpm range is from off idle to about 4,500 , compression ratio is 9.5 to 1......

Still doing research, and the plan is to build this engine combo later this summer, it'll be interesting to see the results compared to the present 351 W.....

Thanks for the info and insight.........

David