1969 351W block height

Can you guys tell me if the older blocks are 9.5 or 9.2? and when did they change?

9.48", 69-70 only. 9.503" thereafter.

The 351 Cleveland was 9.2
[addsig]

I have some here:
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod/engine2.html

The info I have shows that 71-73 has the "low" 9.48 deck also.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ckelly on 12/18/03 2:14am ]</font>

Thanks all, good info ckelly[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_tup.gif[/img]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2003-12-17 15:10, chilly460 wrote:
As always, you can never tell what you'll get with Ford, but my '72 351w block was the 9.503" deck.
BUT, it was the thick main version that supposedly didn't exist in '72 either.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep - that's Ford. Look it all up in the books, get a good idea of what to expect...then go measure it and see what it really is. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2003-12-17 16:09, chilly460 wrote:
And wouldn't you know it, at the time I built the 408, Eagle made ALL their stroker kits for the short deck 351s. Hmm, let's see...make all kits for a block that existed for two years.

Granted, keeps folks from putting "tall deck" kits in short blocks and banging the pistons off the heads...but seems a little illogical. Did a little juggling to get it closer to zero deck...

</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
The reason being is that the 69-70 W's are stronger blocks and are the preferred choice.

The difference is only 23 thousandths of an inch which isn't much. Granted, just throwing an engine together without checking deck height can cost either in power or in broken parts. Best to trial assemble the pistons and actually measure piston-to-deck clearance and then mill the block as necessary to get zero deck height for the best efficiency.

All the pre '74 blocks have the heavier webbing. If the block says "D4" it is the lighter block, although still plenty strong.

Also, any block used for racing will need to be degree decked to make sure it is square. By the time you do this .020" will likely be gone anyway. The simple solution is to mock up the assm. and then have the block zero decked.

Finally, some of the Ford racing blocks are available in a 9.2" deck, although all production blocks are 9.5" within about .020" or so [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

-Steve