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351 w swap

Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Powertrain Specific Forum
Forum Name: Small Block Forum
Forum Description: 221, 255, 260, 302 and 351W engines
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=21037
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 3:24PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: 351 w swap
Posted By: fordpower
Subject: 351 w swap
Date Posted: 08-December-2023 at 4:46AM
will a 68 351 w work in a 79 or are there issues.



Replies:
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 08-December-2023 at 6:11AM
The 351W should be a simple swap given the external dimensions all match. The front dress and carb/intake will vary for the given models, but either could be used as needed. I'd still be interested in a late model front dress if you prefer a serpentine belt system, and can adapt the AC lines for a later compressor. The possibilities are countless, anything you'd like is possible.


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Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W


Posted By: fordpower
Date Posted: 08-December-2023 at 8:24AM
someone once said deck height was different.


Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 08-December-2023 at 9:33AM
The earliest 351W block is supposed to be a hair shorter I think. The normal spec is 9.50" block deck height, note the Cleveland block is 9.2", shorter by .30" which makes a bigger difference(intakes etc).

That could only affect the compression very slightly, and the fitment of an intake manifold. In any case you can still mix the parts if you take normal assembly steps, checking deck height and test fitting the intake before tightening bolts.

It's like the first 289 blocks that had just five bell housing bolts, true but they still are usable.


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Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 08-December-2023 at 10:21AM
nominal deck heights are 9.48" and 9.5", makes no difference unless you're doing internal engine work like replacing pistons or doing a stroker. my 1968 302 had a 3 bolt harmonic balancer vs the common later (1969+?)4 bolt hub. i'm not positive but i suspect the balancers are interchangeable? IIRC the 68's also used a unique (rare and expensive / valuable) cast alloy front accessory mounting bracket but i forget ATM if it was for the alternator od PS pump. my 68 302 also had a right side lower radiator hose on the water pump, which again should be able to be updated to the left side hose water pump. so the jist of it all is that the 1968 front accessory package including the balancer and water pump will need to be updated to the later style package


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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 08-December-2023 at 1:38PM
Well said Rock, much better than my guess at the old dimensions. The balancers should swap, but having different bolt patterns, and the varying accessory brackets, you want to keep the ones from the car it goes into. Unless you like swapping other things for upgrades etc.


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Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W



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