351w - What to do to it..

BenBaron · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 09:32 AM

Hello Guys,

this is my first posting on here, Im from England you see so I usually frequent the english board, but for this posting I thought of you lot way over there.

I have just come into possession of what I believe is a 1972 351w with 2 b carb, iron heads and all that standard stuff.
From what the guy told me he believed it was from a ford fairlane but from the block number I think it may be from a galaxy (dont know ) would it be worth me posting the number?

Anyway few things really, how could I identify it as being a 351w part from other SB v8?

And also Im obviously looking to improve the power from it, what do you lot advise me doing to it? bearing in mind that I dont want too much (is it worth stroking it? and to how much?)

cheers
Ben

PSB · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 09:57 AM

Here's a great site for Ford part numbers: http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/part.html

If it's a 351W from a Fairlane, the number on the block would be:
D2OE-6015-XXXX

If it's a 351W from a Galaxy, the number would be:
D2AE-6015-XXXX

The second four numbers, 6015, indicate 351W.

Stroke it to 408 for around 500hp

Pete

PSB · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 10:02 AM

Forgot to add that a 351 will say "351" in the lifter valley:

It's upside down in the pic, but the "351" is on the right in the pic:

BenBaron · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 11:41 AM

Cheers for the info Pete, I'll check up on that but I seem to recall the first digits of the number and I believe them to be the same as the galaxy example you gave me.

You mention stroking to 408 giving 500 hp :-) would that be managable? and if so what or bits would be needed to get near that, bearing in mind that the engine is stock at the moment..

cheers

Ben

PSB · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 12:10 PM

Ben,

Well, I don't really know if 500hp is managable - I don't have my Cobra on the road yet.

For a 351 stroker, about all you'd want to re-use from the stock motor is the block and timing cover. You'll need a stroker kit, which is crank, connecting rods, and pistons. You'll also need a new cam, aftermarket heads, intake, and carburetor.

I've got pictures of the parts I used in my 408W on my website.

Pete

sparks · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 12:24 PM

Heres an idea, Sell it for a few bucks and find a nice BIG BLOCK..

BenBaron · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 12:36 PM

Hey Pete,

I Like the idea of using string to secure the oil cooler! wont it swing about a bit thought :-)

Ron61 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 12:48 PM

Pete,

You can easily get 500+ horsepower from a 351 stroker and you are correct about using stock parts. The only thing the builder that built my motor used was a stock 1974 block. Then Great ASP came along and did the really trick things that I changed away from and I think his motor is around 575 horse. Originally I was going to have mine built for around 650 horse but changed my mind and caught them before they had ground the cam and done a lot of work. I told them I would rather have around 500-550 horse and changed to hydraulic lifters so I wouldn't have to keep messing with adjustments. I think Eric told me the builder told him that with a change of heads and a couple of other things his motor would go over 700 horse. It will be nice to see your car on the road and going. Good luck and may the Cobra Gods smile on you.

Ron

Doug Axelrod · #9 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 02:55 PM

Here's a website from an excellent engine builder here in Ohio--Performance Engineering. It will give you some sense of what can be done and how.
http://www.perfeng.cc/

Carroll DeWeese · #10 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 06:00 PM

To get 500 hp and torque you will have to rebuild the engine: aluminum headers, etc. Many Cobra people in the US bore and stroke a 351W to get near 500 hp and more. Done properly you should be able to get about 500 hp on 90 octane gas. The higher figures probably require racing fuel.

BenBaron · #11 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 01:47 AM

Thanx guys for the info,
I can now dream about some proper power :-))

BenBaron · #12 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 01:53 AM

Hello again,

Ive just had a look on http://www.perfeng.cc/ at the standard windsor, whay would they specify that it is a pre 74 block, what is the difference between the block castings over the years?

Ron61 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 05:34 AM

Ben,

Deck height changed somewhere around there by a little. Mine is a 74 block that Canton Machine Works in Canton, Ohio used and I figure some fomthe gaskets must be different as I had to get water pump gaskets for a 1972-1976 range blocks when I replaced mine. I think, but am not sure that some of the water pumps have the intake on opposite sides. Mine is on the right side and I have seen some that were on the left side.

Ron

PSB · #14 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 10:15 AM

Deck height was only diferent in '69. All later years were the same for deck height. '94 and later were set up for a roller cam. The water pump intake is based on what year timing cover you use - the block is the same.

In the US, some states do emission requirements by the year of the engine block. Emissions started in '74, thus, if you were in one of those states, you would want a pre-74 block to avoid having to pass emissions.

Pete

PSB · #15 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 10:23 AM

I just looked at the Performance Engineering webpage. Wow! $9750 for a 418

. I used basically the same parts and only have about $5500 (not including labor) into mine.

The Engine Factory has a turnkey 408 for $7550.

Pete

Ron61 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 10:42 AM

Pete,

You are going to have a great engine for a lot less than most of us. I wish I had the ability and equipment to build engines. I looked at the Coast High Performance catalog and they only offer a 393 and 427 stroker and by the time you get the top options they are right up there with the Performance
engineering price. I have also heard both bad and good about the CHP engines.

Ron

Jim Downard · #17 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 01:58 PM

Ben,
I have a Classic Roadsters Cobra, and until last year it had a nearly stock 1972 351W. It was a 2 bbl motor and I tore it down and performed a clean rebuild. My machinist gave me as much cam as the stock 2 bbl heads would handle and I'll tell you it wasn't much. Not even a hint of rumpity rump. I put an Edelbrock Performer (not the Performer RPM) as I knew it wouldn't rev much above 5500 rpm (and it didn't). Reports had me at around 275 hp. This still move the car fairly quickly, and I had plenty of torque at 1500 rpm. Now, I have a 393 stroker. It has Roush 200 heads, Comp cams, Edelbrock Performer RPM, and Edelbrock 750 cfm carb. It makes around 425 hp. It has stock rods, but has arp rod bolts. I've been told that since it's a street car and won't be raced all the time, it will live a long and happy life. By myself in third gear at about 4000 rpm the tires break loose all by themselves. I think I have plenty of HP. Any more would be less fun to manage in my opinon. Oh yea, If you go the stroker method, don't forget you will have to clearance the block to prevent the rods/rod bolts from hitting.

Jim Downard

Ron61 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 02:09 PM

I have to agree with what Jim says. I have told many people that my car is way over powered for the type of driving that I do now. I wish that when I had the engine built and then changed my mind I had told them 350-425 horse instead of 500-550 horse. I originally was going to have it built out to around 650-700 but decided that I was to old to race any more. These cars are light enought that 400 horsepower will give you a thrill and unless you are just interested in a high top speed that is plenty. I almost have to baby my throttle in 1st or 2nd gear with the street tires on to keep from breaking them loose.

Ron

Jim Downard · #19 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 02:20 PM

Another little bit of info. Have you thought of going with the Edelbrock power up kit. It would be a Cam, Heads, Intake, and Carb. Would be good for about 400+ hp and no machine work on the block. You would only have to have the block cleaned for a rebuild, possibly line bore the mains, have the crank checked, and put her back togethe with new bearings. It would be a minimal outlay for maximum hp. Of course, I like those cast iron Roush 200's. Weight isn't a concern enough of mine to go the extra for aluminum heads. To me Cast iron = nearly indestructible. (CHEAPER TOO!) I've seen in the jeg's catalogue, Roush heads about $350 each assembled. Then get your own cam and a good intake and carb. BAM, more that enough hp to burn up those expensive tires.

hey, this is all just food for thought.

Jim Downard

dkjos · #20 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 02:51 PM

Ben,

It's all a matter of balance between our desires, our pocketbooks, and perhaps a dash of practicality. Just for your consideration, the following combination gives 351 HP at 5300 RPM and 402 ft/lb of torque at 3400 RPM. The torque curve is quite flat, at 390+ ft/lb from 2500 to 4400 RPM.

351W block bored .030
9.5 to 1 compression
GT40P iron heads
Comp Cams XE274H cam (.519/.523 lift)
Performer manifold (for hood clearance without a scoop)
Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor
MSD 6AL ignition

I'm wasn't looking for the ultimate in engines but I anticipate that the resulting 7.5 lb per horsepower will still let me get into more trouble with this car than I need. By the way, the sound at idle of this combination is extremely nice.

The complete turnkey engine, dyno test, warranty and all, ran about $4500.