351W in a Fox body
 

Anyone put a 351W injected in a Fox body GT?
I keep getting "don't rebuild the 302, put a 351W in it'
Just how much is involved in that kind of conversion?
I read a trans mount change, motor mounts and a higher hood...but from there?
and....which 351W is the best out of which vehicle series for a close to bolt-in switch?
e.i truck, Mercury, LTD ?

My very first car was a 1980 that I put a 351W in. I was 14 at the time, and everything bolted right in (as far as I can remember - 14 was a while ago).

You could actually probably use the same tranny mount, as the 351W and 302 are the same basic block - only difference is the deck height of the 351W. It's longer and that's where you get the added displacement (and also why you will want added hood clearance). In fact, I used a double hump crossmember from a GT, then maodified the holes to match my toploader.

You'll deffinitely want some good headers, fortunately there are several people now that make headers for this conversion. the only real problem I ever had was with cooling. Invest in a good radiator and electric fan. You'll need the right oil pan too. Other than that, it's a piece of cake. Any 351W block should be fine as far as I know.

Like I said - I did mine a while ago, so I may have 'forgotten' a couple things.

I just did this. Here's what you'll need if you want to run EFI:

1) Lower intake manifold for a 351W, almost all the uppers from a 5.0 will work.
2) Bigger injectors (24-30 lb., depending on the app.)
3) Better fuel delivery to feed the injectors
4) 351W Conv. oil pan
5) 351W swap headers. You can use the 5.0 H-pip but remember that the 351 is appx. 1.5 inches wider than a 302 so the H-pipe will need to be bent.
6) Good cooling system (I recommend using the engine mounted fan and shroud.....if you want to know why, PM me)
7) Taller valve covers (or have baffle plate removed) if you're using roller rockers.
8) 351W Distributor
9) Good engine mounts (I'm using Energy Suspension)
10) A cowl hood

Good luck and let me know if you have more questions.

hey what about the front accesory engine brackets? if you have a/c doesn't it interfere with the hood, even a cowl, because it is in the front of the motor not in the back where the cowl is?

I did a 351-W in a Fox body... Zerphyr Z-7.
See my homepage for pictures.


Check out www.alternativeauto.com they have a write-up.