I know a 260-289-302 is a direct bolt-in, but what about a 351? I just got a great lead on a rebuilt unit that's been sitting for 5 years or so and the guy wants to unload it cheap.
I think it all depends on what type of 351 Ford - if it is a 351 windsor (small block) it should fit with little to no modifying, but if it is a 351 cleveland (big block) it would take some massaging to make it work. Thanks! Tom
First off, the 351C is not a big block, it's just another small block. The 351W will be really tight. You will probably be limited to cast exhaust manifolds or some modifications to the shock/spring towers. It can be done, but the ones I have seen are really tight. On the 351W, he removed some metal on the shock towers and welded in flat plate. On the 351C he had to remove part of the tower and you had to pull the engine to change plugs. SPark
Like "AAFD" said the 351C is basically the same size as the small blocks. It is considered a small block. Don't be confused by the 351M (or Midland) - they are a different block/heads and run a C-6. The 351C )early) used a C-4 - there are C-6's that will bolt to the 302, 351W and 351C. Think they were available mid '70s. The 351C is taller and wider where the headers may have to be made to fit your Falcon. Easiest would be the 351W.
Guys, you really need to spend some time working on Ford motors! The 221, 255, 260, 289, 302, 5.0 are all 8.206" tall deck motors The 351C is a 9.206" deck motor The 351W is a 9.480" deck in 69-70 and 9.503 deck after 1970 The 351M, 400 are both 10.297" decks and shouldn't be considered here for that reason. The 289 family, 351W and 351C all share bell housing bolt patterns and motor mount locations. All will bolt up to a C3, C4, C5 or C6 or an FMX. While a 351W or a 351C will bolt into the 289 family or mounts, the exhaust is the big problem, you get into the spring towers. Also remember that the early small blocks used a 5 bolt bell so the original pre 1964 tranny won't bolt to a 351W or 351C or newer 289/302 type motor. SPark
No such engine as "Midland". The 400 is just a tall-deck Cleveland using 2V Cleveland heads. The main journal diameter is larger. Engine mount bosses are unique but basically just a tall-deck Cleveland. The 351M (Ford states the M stands for Modified) is a 400 with a 3.5 stroke crank and unique pistons on 400 rods. The engine bell housing pattern on MOST but not all 351M/400s are the same as the 460 to allow easy interchange on the line as the 400 was designed to replace the 390. The 351C also used the C6 trans (as did the 302 in vans). Back to the OP, you can easily fit any 351 if you wanna get a shock tower mod kit from Crites Restoration. http://tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=colson43&page=5 It's on that page somewhere. (later) I found it. "SHOCK TOWER CONVERSION KIT 351 THRU ALL FE ENGINES This kit contains: Coil Spring for this conversion – Strut Rod Gussets—A-Frame lower brace – A-Frame lower mounts—Shock Tower Plate Assemblies L & R— Cutting templates - $395" I used Crites stuff to put a 460 into my '58 including a set of headers. They make good stuff.
351W in my 60 Falcon and it took and little hammer work for stock exhuast manifolds when I first started building it, now the shock towers are removed for header clearence. Almost anything is possible with a big enough hammer. Jon
Thanks guys, this is what I wanted to hear; I'm going to stick with a 302 swap and pass on this 351 deal, even as good as it is. My car is a custom and I don't want to alter the hood or even the shock towers for that matter. Spark, this list is really excellent. I'm going ot cut and paste it for later reference. Again, thank you everyone. Viva la HAMB!
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