289 to 351w swap

**smunger805** · 06-23-2009, 09:22 PM

Hey Guys,

I've been contemplating swapping the 289 in my 66 for a 302 or 351w for some time.
Would a 351w from an 1988 Bronco make a good swap? I know its EFI
but I plan on bolting on a carb anyway.
Another local option is a 351w HO from an 85 Ford Van.

Any ideas???

**dm41308** · 06-30-2009, 11:30 PM

try going to your local machine shop and asking if they can build you a 351w
the guy i use for all of my machine work loves the 351w and has parts for it everywhere and he can build it with as much power as you want

**66Racer** · 07-04-2009, 01:06 AM

I dont know those engine specs but since its the 80s the compression might be low on those 351s. It would be good to use to get the swap out of your way and just build a performance 351w later, that said.......

In all honesty I prefer a 302 over the 351 unless you get aftermarket heads with the 351w. Dont feel it would be worth the extra weight if you use stock heads especially.

The 289-302-351w all share the same head pretty much, so that stock restrictive head or mildly ported head on the 351 is not going to perform as good as on the 302. The only advantage with the 351w is the torque u will have but a 65-68 are light stangs anyways.

This is a personal judgement call issue. But if u plan on a healthy 351w with some good heads yeah i would feel its worth it. I have seen budget aluminum headed 351s run really strong but its all setup, setup setup

**n2omike** · 07-04-2009, 07:24 AM

Hedman sells some nice 3/4 length 351W swap headers for putting a 351W in a 1965-66 mustang. These aren't RACE headers. They are designed for street cars. They fit well, and are minimally intrusive. They are also inexpensive. (around $160) or something.

**astegall** · 07-04-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smunger805

Hey Guys,

I've been contemplating swapping the 289 in my 66 for a 302 or 351w for some time.
Would a 351w from an 1988 Bronco make a good swap? I know its EFI
but I plan on bolting on a carb anyway.
Another local option is a 351w HO from an 85 Ford Van.

Any ideas???

I did it with my 65 fastback and I would not do it again. Al sorts of little expensive problems come up and almsot impossible to cool without expensive mods ($800 for radiator, spal electric fan and evans waterless coolant). The hedmans do work with about 1/4 inch clearance. To change plugs I unbolt the motor mount and jack the engine up otherwise it is a two hour ordeal. I would go with the 289 or 302, roller cam conversion, efi and aluminum heads.

**astegall** · 07-04-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smunger805

Hey Guys,

I've been contemplating swapping the 289 in my 66 for a 302 or 351w for some time.
Would a 351w from an 1988 Bronco make a good swap? I know its EFI
but I plan on bolting on a carb anyway.
Another local option is a 351w HO from an 85 Ford Van.

Any ideas???

I did it with my 65 fastback and I would not do it again. Al sorts of little expensive problems come up and almsot impossible to cool without expensive mods ($800 for radiator, spal electric fan and evans waterless coolant). The hedmans do work with about 1/4 inch clearance. To change plugs I unbolt the motor mount and jack the engine up otherwise it is a two hour ordeal. I would go with the 289 or 302, roller cam conversion, efi or carb and aluminum heads.

**vorderma** · 07-08-2009, 12:19 AM

Honestly, go with a 347 stroker kit. Same thing without the extra weight. Plus a lot more options to build performance. The kits are available on ebay in several different levels.

**jetnoise** · 07-13-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vorderma

Honestly, go with a 347 stroker kit. Same thing without the extra weight. Plus a lot more options to build performance. The kits are available on ebay in several different levels.

+1
347 WOULD BE EASIER

**tonytoys** · 07-19-2009, 07:49 AM

Did it love it the best way to make good house power

**shiftthis** · 08-30-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smunger805

Hey Guys,

I've been contemplating swapping the 289 in my 66 for a 302 or 351w for some time.
Would a 351w from an 1988 Bronco make a good swap? I know its EFI
but I plan on bolting on a carb anyway.
Another local option is a 351w HO from an 85 Ford Van.

Any ideas???

have done the 351w and 351c swap in the 65-66 a few times and my fave is a 392w with afr205 heads and hooker engine swap headers for the w in a 65-66. a few years ago i put 69 cougar towers in and bought a set of FPA headers. if you use the hookers you dont have to dent the shock towers and all the factory clutch linkage works and they are really close to the floorpan for good ground clearence.my 392w stroker will suck the pistons out of any 347 !!!! 4" bore 3.9" stroke !!!!