Thread: 351W build

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I'm trying to put together a 351 for a 67 mustang and really need help confirming I have the right combo for the engine. I'm trying to build a nice street motor, not trying to make lots of HP. The mustang will have a 5 speed and either 390 or 355 gears... ford 8 inch. I live in Colorado, so I always have to adjust for elevation...
The block is 71 351 from what I'm not sure
I have already purchased an Edelbrock performer Intake and Holley 570 Street Advenger carb. (They are both brand new and I got a great deal) Thinking a high rise dual plane and bigger carb would be better, but would like to try and work with what I have.
For heads I was thinking AFR 185's 2.02 intake 1.60 exhaust 58cc.
Roller rockers of some sort with hardend push rods...
Maybe roller cam... I know I need the retro roller cam kit if I go this way.
Or maybe just a hyd flat tappet cam...
Not sure what duration or lift just yet. Hopefully something with a little lope, but streetable. I do have power front disk brakes.
A set of header, need to check clearences for a 351 in a 67 mustang (fastback)
And as for the bottom end, just a machine shop cleanup, fresh bearings, 30 or 40 over, APR bolts and maybe some Keith Black pistion cut for the larger valves. From building other motors, I can run about 10 to 1 compression at this altitude on premium gas with no problems.
I know this isn't a very exciting build But wondering if anyone had any suggestions or comments regarding something I'm missing. Thanks.

you`re running a stick .. put in the biggest hydrolic cam you can get .. you want to rumble when you arrive .. not whimper .. i wish you could hear my 351 .. would make bob glidden proud ..

The Performer intake is really lazy with any kind of cam at all... I run the Performer RPM on the street, and Ford's version of the Victor for racing, both are great intakes in their particular application. As for heads, I haven't yet used the AFR's but from all the input I've recieved it seems to be the best street head currently on the market, I'm still using Trick Flow's on the track and street, but then I'm running the 408 stroker version of the 351W's. I'd say the AFR's would be perfect for your application. As for cam and valve train, go hydraulic roller!!!! Way, way too many flat tappets with flat lobes with our zincless oil these days... I know, I know, you can run the additives...but the rollers not only have less friction they also offer some really great cams and the faster ramps on the cams do nothing but improve the performance!!!! IMO, and that of the majority of the professional engine builders, rollers are the only way to go!!!!

What do you have planned for ignition? I've had really good luck with the MSD billet distributor and a 6AL box. Advance is really easy to adjust and makes a lot of difference on the engine's efficiency.

I have also run the MSD distributor and the 6AL with great success. up until now I have been building Olds and Pontiac motors. I just sort of got hooked on the Mustang fastback and this was the motor that was in it.
The motor looks like it came out of early 80's build. When I got it there was a low rise Edelbrock single plane on it? An old AFB carb (looks just like the Edelbrock) and a Mallory dual point. I actually thought about running the dual point with an MSD box and good coil.... thoughts?

So I guess the first suggestion is to junk the dual plane performer for a performer RPM? I just couldn't help myself when the guy had it brand new and was selling it for $50. How about just a carb spacer?
Is the carb (570 holley) going to be to small.
I also agree with the roller cam... but man that gets pricey quick.
And the bottom end will be OK?... stock rods..etc. For Olds motors there isn't much out there so we make due with what we have or spend tons of money.
Again, not trying to make a ton of HP, but would like the combo to be good. I was thinking of just having the heads reworked. They are 1.84 intake stock, but for the money the AFR's or similar seem to be the way to go all set up with springs, guides, etc.
Anyone have a good cam suggestion? who else besides comp makes roller cams (retro) for these motors? I've been having good luck with the voodoo cams, but I don't see any for these motors ?

PS thanks for the feedback! I'm really getting excited about this project and the potential of these SBF.

For a moderate horse cruizer, the stock components in the bottom end will do just fine. As for the dual point, used to go fast running them, if you have it and it's in good shape might as well use it! Can always update it some other time.

I see the heads are from a '71....might be a good head, at least they would be pre-smog. However, it doesn't take a lot of work to wrap up a bunch of money in a low performance head, IMO the AFR's are an excellent choice! Should you decide at a later date to upgrade the performance you'll already have the good heads. Heads and cam are so important to getting good performance from any engine.

Comp is a good cam company, before you choose a cam I would suggest downloading their Cam Quest 6 program (freebie), then input the rest of the data from your car and see what comes up on for a cam choice. When in doubt, call one of the Comp Techs and talk over the choice with him. To get the most for you money, selecting a cam based on it's performance rather then any sort of poser value is critical....

Thanks again for the feedback. The dual point seems to be in good shape. The shaft is tight, gear looks good. I thought I found a place that sells points for it, so might try it. There is no vacuum advance on it...
Thanks for the advice on the comp software, I will give it a try. I've never run a comp cam, but they sure have a ton of choices.

Anyone ever try the Comp Thumper cams? Looks like they close up the center line to about 107 to give them a lope. Just wondering if these cams actually perform well or is it mostly a gimmick?

Originally Posted by BigBowe

Thanks again for the feedback. The dual point seems to be in good shape. The shaft is tight, gear looks good. I thought I found a place that sells points for it, so might try it. There is no vacuum advance on it...
Thanks for the advice on the comp software, I will give it a try. I've never run a comp cam, but they sure have a ton of choices.

Anyone ever try the Comp Thumper cams? Looks like they close up the center line to about 107 to give them a lope. Just wondering if these cams actually perform well or is it mostly a gimmick?

IMO, just more poser stuff......