wel, the 302 in my 1990 F150 finally gave up and punched a rod through the block. for the new engine i would like to step up to a 351W, and need to know what parts are compatablie with both engines, and what i'l need for the swap. my truck has the 5 speed manual transmmision (which i will not be changing, but will be replacing the clutch)
first of all id like to verify that the 351 can bolt up to the same tranny (i cant immagine why it wouldnt, but i dont want any surprises)

any help or advice on what i need for the swap would be greatly apreciated.

thanx

 

Hello, was looking into this as well. best bet is to find a donor truck same or close in year...
a 302 & 351Windsor do have the same bellhousing pattern, but you cannot use the flywheel as it has a different balance mass, 28oz-in for the 351 vs. 50 for the 302. the balancer on the front must match also.

Other parts different are the oil pan, intake, distributor, front accessory brackets.

Jeff

 

thanks, also a big question that ive heard a lot of people argue both sides to is, can i swap my EFI computer and wiring harness from the 302 to the 351? or do i need a whole new computer for the 351

 

the wiring might work, not sure about actual harness length as the 351 will be taller & wider. the computer will have different timing tables & fuel tables. would need a tweecer to tune the thing.

 

The ECU will work the 351 firing order will be different . You will/may have to switch wires around injectors. But the ECU will work the values will be off some but give it a try bet you can't tell with stepping up to 351. If not you can always find a ECU later. Good luck

 

The wiring will definitely work on the 351, but I would recommend a 351 computer to go along with the engine. It will plug directly into the 302 wiring harness. Plus it saves you monkeying with the injector wiring or having to tune the 302 computer for the larger engine.

 

Also will my current fuel system be able to feed the 351 or should i plan on having to upgrade the pump as well, if so what gph specs should i need?

 

The 351 and 302 speed density uses bank firing for the injectors, 1,4,5,8 then 2,3,6,7. The 302 has an anti knock sensor where the 351 does not have a provision for this sensor. The firing order is controlled by the distributor. If you were adding mass air to the truck then you would have to worry about appropriate firing order of the injectors. To be on the safe side it is best to use a 351 computer, but I believe it has been stated that both engines use the same injectors. I have seen the opinion swing against the M5OD mated to a 351 as it may not handle the torque, but that just depends on your driving style too.

 

Both motors use the same 19lb injectors and fuel pumps, there's more than enough capacity to supply even a mildly hot rodded motor like mine. The AOD like the M5OD is also generally regarded as not strong enough to handle a 351, but mine is going on 8 years behind this motor with nothing more than a shift kit. A 351 computer should not be that hard to find for that truck, 351s were very common in the heavier F series and vans from that era, and you could use one from either a manual, AOD, or C6 vehicle as none of these trannys were computer controlled.

 

thanks for all your advice, i may end up going with another 302 cuz an offer for a rebuilt one has come up and its gunna be hard to refuse. but im still hoping for a better deal on a 351 (so if anyone in western WA is selling a decent 351w please let me know!)

 

ok another question relating to what was said about the M5OD tranny not holding up to a 351's torque, what would be a sujestion to do about that and keep it manual, obviously swapping to an aftermarket tranny, but did ford make a stronger 5 speed manual tranny? im not sure since most trucks i know with bigger engines are backed by a C6 but that is not an option as i do not beleive in automatic trannsmisions.

I am currently struggeling with the decision of wether or not to fix my truck or buy a newer one maybe i could get some opinions?
heres the situation, im 16, about to get my full liscence, have the 1990 F150 XLT Lariat (extended cab full bed) that blew the engine just prior to my getting it (unbenownst to me my non mechanically inclined father had ignored my warnings that the oil was drastically low, so a simple thing like water pump failure snowballed into hydraulic lock and a rod attempting to escape through the block) so here i am, with enough money to get a decent newer truck (95-96 F150 or F250 extended cab short bed) but it would drain my funds.
or buy an engine (& misc. other parts needed) to fix this one and have the remainder of my funds to continue saving for a better newer truck after driving this one for awhile (or if i end up building this one up the way i like it, stick with it and spend my money on other stuff)


Opinions please! Dont feel responsible like im going to latch onto whatever you say, cuz im just curious what others think

thanks

 

I'd fix the one you have. Even if you have the money for that newer truck, that isn't what you need. Because you might end up with no money and have to fix that one. I would highly suggest fixing yours so you can learn a little bit by experience. That is the only way I learned anything about cars is by doing it myself. Nobody in my family is mechanically inclined so I had no one to back me up on what I was doing. But man, I look back and I was pretty successful with my engine swaps and current rebuild. Just throw a 302 from the junkyard back in it if you have to. It's not the end of the world right? Just some labor. And I know it's a little more work to put in that 351, but someday after you do your 302 motor swap, it'll be that motor instead. Wish you the best, keep your money.