Thread: 351w build

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ok so I am really new to this but I have been reading and researching A LOT and I really want to start on this as soon as I get all my money together. Everyone I talk to about this tells me to have a goal or plan and I have a basic one. we will see what I find out So... I want to build a late 60's to mid 70's Ford with a carbeurated 351w. This is going to be a street car with very very occasional strip use. I want to be around 400-450 hp. (If possible for somewhat lower budget) and Im not sure what my budget is going to be as I am going to be doing this over time but I want this to be a lower budget build and not sacrifice quality with cheap parts. when I say lower budget i dont mean I want all cheap worthless parts, I mean I dont want the best of the best most expensive parts. What I am wondering is what kind of measurements and ratios also bore measurements do i need to meet to achieve this. also what kind of budget am I looking at to build the motor with these specs.

To do 4-450 Hp with a 351W is tough to make those numbers without a good pair of heads, camshaft, induction system. Then the cast crank and big main bearings can be a major drawback to rpm. More to consider, but that's the basics. BUT, put your plan and a set of budgetary numbers together and let see where it goes from there as just throwing parts at these engine (or any brand engine) wont see those Hp figures

And to add a bit more, your going to need to make sure the brakes and suspension are also setup to support that horsepower.

I'm doing the same thing with a 468. Good luck man

Hi Shawn, you’ve been given some good information so far, and I’d like to throw in my 2 cents.

First off I would strongly suggest you not get wrapped up around a Horsepower number like so many people do especially on a street engine. Horsepower is merely a number derived from the amount of torque an engine makes at a given rpm number and taken out of context is pretty much worthless and good for nothing more than bragging rights (hell most people guess ....optimistically...or lie about it anyway).

Personally I would concentrate on making the most torque in a useable RPM range and let the HP numbers worry about themselves. A good place to start is by looking at various engine builds that have actual dyno charts and comparing the changes that are made by different component combinations.

You also really need to consider HOW the engine is going to be used the majority of the time. Is this going to be a toy or are you looking at depending on it for daily transportation, or occasional long trips. If it’s going to be driven a lot, you probably want to take a long look at what compression ratio you want based on fuel that you have available and if you want (or can afford) an engine that has to be run on premium, mid grade or regular gas (just a hint, you can get by with a bit more compression using aluminum heads).

That being said, for a 351W with mostly stock internals you’re not really going to want to spin it much higher than about 6000 RPM max. After that point you are looking at a lot of upgrades ($$) to make it have a long life. It kind of goes back to looking at the Dyno chart thing an engine that makes 450 horse power at 7000 RPM doesn’t do you much good if it blows apart at 6500 RPM on the third run. For street/highway driving the RPM range you’re probably realistically wanting to operate at will be between 2200-3000 RPM.

Also something to keep in mind is how much work the engine is going to have to do and that is going to be dependent in large part on what vehicle you are going to be putting it in. I know at this point you haven’t really made that decision, but it should be kept in the back of your mind while your selecting parts. You mention 60’s-70s Fords, so here are some generalities that may help. The full size Fords of that era (Galaxies) are heavy usually very close to 4000 pounds and it takes a lot of torque to get them moving. The midsize cars (Fairlanes, Granadas etc) are a bit lighter usually in the 3200-3600 pound range. Mustangs can be all over the board depending on what year you’re looking at, Maverics and certain Mustangs you’re looking at 3000-3300 pounds. The sub-compacts like Mustang IIs, and Pintos can be put on a diet and gotten down to 2800-3000 pounds. Basically a 351 I would build for a Pinto would be a lot different than one I would build for a Galaxie.

I know that I’m saying seems to be all over the place, but they are all factors that need to be looked at in unison when picking out a combination for your motor. They can be all boiled down to a few questions however to narrow the parameters of the build.

Size (weight) of the vehicle it’s going in.

Is it a toy or daily transportation.

How important is fuel mileage and cost?

How it will be driven (street/highway/strip) if highway what is the max speed....if strip use how quick are you wanting to go.

Transmission type (manual or automatic, overdrive or not).

How much are you looking at spending.....an actual $ amount.

Tire size and gearing will also factor in at a certain point (as will convertor stall if an automatic) but that usually is looked at after useage, engine parameters and vehicle type are set.

ok mike, thanks man that post actually made a lot of sense, being inexperienced I tend to get over excited and dream a lot. I told you I was new lol. If HP shouldnt be looked at we will try your outlook on this as you seem to know your stuff so i would like the car to be somewhat of a toy, but in the summer I would like to daily drive it maybe 30 days or less a season. also I would like to take it to the drag strip maybe 2 or 3 times but times arent a big concern, also when I daily drive it I would be on the highway some so I would want some kind of top speed, as long as the car is fast. for this build fuel milage and fuel cost wouldnt be a concerne and I wouldnt mind having to use premium gasoline either. I would also like a manual transmission, probably a 4 speed Im thinkin but If you think otherwise Im listening to opinions, as far as a spending budget I dont have a particuliar budget but I dont want to spend 10k on the engine. I would be building this kinda slowly so it would be a little money here and a little there so I know it would add up but thats fine as long as its not all at once, also Im not sure if I should bore it out to be bigger but that is also another question too. as far as compression, Im not sure where I should be I dont know much about compression measurements compared to power or torque. so I know this isnt exactly all the info looking for but were getting a little further

I jus don't know what measurements, ratios, size, or compression I need to achieve this. Anyone have some ideas?

Why not find a late model Mustang or Camaro and start there? Already comes with a V8 in a lot of cases, transmissions are optional.. Play with that and use it as a learning experience. A lot of "speed parts" are available for them and they can do well at the track or street driving. Then as time goes by you can keep your eyes open for something that "trips your trigger" plus you can always cannabilize the mustang/camaro when the time comes...

Food for thought!?!?

That's not a bad idea but ireally don't like newer model cars they just don't do what classic cars do fo me. Plus I want to build a motor so I really don't want to build a motor and put it into anything otherthen a classic. I know wat I want to do and I have my mind made up. I don't mean to sound rude... I'm sorry I mean no disrespect or dis. You know what you are talking about and I know you are tying to help me. Thank you for your input I listen to every opinion and I respect every single post I read

I know I can do it I just have to figure out how to determine what sizes are needed and what measurements/ratios I need for what I want

Originally Posted by adrenaline

That's not a bad idea but ireally don't like newer model cars they just don't do what classic cars do fo me. Plus I want to build a motor so I really don't want to build a motor and put it into anything otherthen a classic. I know wat I want to do and I have my mind made up. I don't mean to sound rude... I'm sorry I mean no disrespect or dis. You know what you are talking about and I know you are tying to help me. Thank you for your input I listen to every opinion and I respect every single post I read

No worries! It's just an idea! What usually happens tho' is your trying to build your ride while it has to do daily duty and somewhere in between your butt is getting chafed 'cause of the double duty. Been there, done that and bought the tee shirt! It's not impossible to be sure 'cause some people do pull it off!

It's just making the project harder so you have to be aware of a possible headache is all I'm saying!

If you don't have the car yet, what's the big rush putting an engine together??? I don't like to have fresh engines sitting around for a couple years before they ever get ran, too easy for things to go wrong in the engine IMO.

Well I'm wanting to start fresh from a bare block and rebuild new. I have 2 daily drivers so this won't be used other then as a toy and not until it is finished. I have time and I have some extra money so I just want to be ale to start but all that's holding me up is trying to learn about determining what I need to accomplish what I want. That's all I'm just not familiar with figuring out the measurements/ ratios needed I don't want to start buying parts that won't fit or that won't do what I want

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

If you don't have the car yet, what's the big rush putting an engine together??? I don't like to have fresh engines sitting around for a couple years before they ever get ran, too easy for things to go wrong in the engine IMO.

When I am getting close to finishing I will buy a car. I am always looking, I just havnt found the right one yet I know of 3 or 4 I want for sure I jut havnt found the ONE of those. Its between. A 67 mustang coupe or fastback I like both. A 70- 71 torino. a late 60s fairlane. One of those and possibly a 63-65 galaxie

I think I would go with a good stroker kit for the 351W. I've had a couple of the 408 ci strokers and they run very strong!!!! Hard to beat what you get in a stroker engine package if you go buying the parts individually. Last one I got was from Competition Products, all good stuff an made in the US even!!!!

Here's a link to a similar kit;

http://www.competitionproducts.com/H...fo/RAPB408FID/

Oh, yeah, had Tricflow heads on it, too