I tend to disagree with you. I rebuild a 390 bored 30 over, used the stock type pistons stock 4 barrel manifold, mild cam, full length 1 7/8 headers, 750 holley vac second carb. C6 tranny w/ 3.70 gears in a 66 F-100 and it ran great after I finally got it lined out (same with any motor) Just like anything else, its all preference, but if/when I put a MII underneath my car, im throwing it in there to see what she runs. Plus the fact that not a lot of people have them. 460/429 would be good, but I like the old FE's just because they are different and made a ton of power with little work.
The sky's the limit when it comes to horsepower potential with a 351w. There are stroker kits out there (and some home-brewed combinations) that can take a windsor block up to 450+ cubic inches, most common ones are 393, 408, 418. The 393 is by far the easiest to build....off the shelf 302 pistons and 351w stock-length rods, and a cheapie cast crank that can be had for about the same as grinding a stocker to freshen it up. FE's -- great engines, but like their cousins the clevelands, they're becoming more and more expen$ive to build these days. With the costs of the windsor based engines dropping by the day, it seems the obvious choice....UNLESS you want a cool car that will be different. 'Course then, if it was me, I'd do a 4.6 Cobra engine and trans with a Mustang 2 front end...if I wanted to have a Maverick/Comet that was "different". The 302 bolts right in...no mods. These cars came with them from the factory, so fitting them in there is a simple task. Just get the V8 frame mounts and engine mounts, and you're home free....even your stock 250 inline 6 transmission will work just fine, just change the flexplate. The only 2 big issues with a 302 swap are headers (and power steering and/or column shift automatic) and finding all of the parts you need. Header problem isn't too bad...most companies have a power steering cylinder drop bracket, but you still can't use a column shift automatic, the linkage gets in the way of the headers. I'd rather have a floor shift anyway...more fun that way! The 351w bolts right in where the 302 would normally sit...in fact, the engine mounts are exactly the same as is the transmission. The problem is that the 351w is much wider and taller than the 302, so regular 302 headers will not fit, and from what I've seen....even the swap headers don't fit that great, which means you'll be spending some $$$ on either custom headers or making your own, which is what I did. But, given the choice between a 302 based engine and a 351w....I'd do another 302 in a stock-chassis maverick/comet....they simply fit better and are much easier to work with, especially if you're driving it on the street. Not so say a 351w wouldn't be more fun....just more of a pain to get everything to fit. It can be done, however with some effort and time. On a race car, there is no other choice....the 351w wins. I considered a big block in mine (429/460) but the weight of it (over 700 lbs!) was a big turn off, as were parts prices. With mine running the 1/8 mile in just a shade over 6 flat and 115 mph...it's plenty, for now. Considering how easy it is to build a 600+ HP 351w with today's prices, it's a no-brainer. Not to say an FE or 385 series engine can't make those power numbers, which they can....and exceed 4 figure horsepower numbers...it just takes a bit more money than I can muster.
We don't really disagree... Just my preference of getting the same cubes out of a much lighter Windsor engine. You have to admit that the W is cheaper an lighter than the FE. That is just where I am coming from... That is also where the 400 cube comment came from. If you are going to be different, and go for the 'cool factor' of an FE, then you should at least run some cubes equivalent to what you can get out of a W. You don't really need the M2 suspension. In fact, I am pretty sure the swap headers would not work with the M2. They are made for shaved towers and stock steering/suspension. I know for sure that they will not fit power steering, among other options. They come in 3 different tube diameters for the Mav. 1 7/8, 2, 2 1/4. The tubes are 8 individual with slip on collectors. The design is pretty impressive, they all shoot straight down, 2 forward of the tower, 2 behind, then they 90 straight back to the collectors. Not nearly the 'spaghetti' mess that the 351c headers are. Probably because the 351 ports are lower in the chassis, making for sooner bends and therefore less room to get back to the collector. Dave
I'd rather due the Mustang II and make headers/find headers. Not sayign that the swap headers aren't a good idea. I was just saying theoretically... if I was going to do my car the way I wanted to... it'd be a front/backhalfed car or a full chassis car w/ a FE, Lenco, etc etc... I was very impressed w/ my motor that I built. I had less than 600 in the whole thing. Thats rings, bearings, carb (used), headers, cam, gears, etc I know they are heavy, but I couldn't justify tearing apart a 351w that needed bored when I had a 390 that was already 30 over, and didn't need anything at all. Only complaint I had was the cam... 129 bucks w/o the lifters. For the things I want to build a milder 351 now... about the same price. Basically, as stated above... its how much motor you want, and how much money you have... Everyone has their own wish list, or preference. Just explaining mine
I'm running Hooker Super Comps and column shifter with no problems if I was still running the C4. AOD is a bit wider...
351 motor swap I have a 70 maverick with a 302 in it right now but i am thinking of swaping that out for a 351. Could anyone tell me if there would be any clearance problems that i should know about? Does it just bolt up to the 302 motor mounts of do i have to get a new motor mounts?
Do a search. It will technically fit, but its not a direct drop in headache free swap. Shock towers need notches for easier fitment and working on it, headers are an issue, etc. Motor mounts would be the same.
It'll drop in with the same mounts. You'll have to find headers for it. You can find them using the search function. The only problem I had with my 351 was changing the spark plugs. You'll learn new words you didn't even think you knew.
With all the really good and decently priced parts available for the 8.2 deck 302 engines (stroker kits, heads, cams, blocks) why would anyone really push for installing a 351 engine into a Maverick? I could understand a dedicated race car but for a street car or even a street/strip hot rod why bother? A quality 331 or 347 kit with nice heads can be built for about the same price as a good 351 and you don't have to hack the car or become a contortionist just to change plugs.
Shadowmaster, you hit the nail right on the head. Unless you can cut, fab and build, just do the 302/347 you will be miles ahead. Terry
A good street 351W is a rebuild with pistons for the 69 four barrel, the 69-70 heads with a mild pocket port job and a three angle valve grind using the short non-rail rocker valves, deck milled, a mild cam, and a decent dual plane intake with a 600 cfm carb. You can get 350 hp with a smooth idle at 700 rpm. More importantly you get 400+ ft lbs of torque! Add some screw-in studs and guide plates. I balanced mine and spent a a little time on the exhaust ports and get well over 350 hp. Even in a factory maverick at 3000 to 3200lbs it is a good street cruiser. (street performance was calculated as any car with less than 10 lbs for every hp)
