351W in Model A?

Will a 351W fit under a stock 30-31 A hood with full hood sides? I've got a 302 in there now and am wondering if the wider 351W will fit.

 

do you have an extra inch on each side?

 

That's a good question. The last time the engine was actually "in" the car it looked like this:








Now the car is in many pieces all over the shop undergoing a rebuild. the 302 block broke in two places in the wreck. I have a line on a nice 351W now.

 

My heart just broke. Start with the pictures next time, will ya?
I think you might have to put "blisters " in the sides of the hood.

 

The 351 is 1.5 inches taller so it will be wider at the top outside. Looking at the 3rd -4th & 5th picture it appears you have plenty of room.I would give it a shot since the motor mounts are the same spread.

 

What he said!

 

ouch! couldnt give a fella some warning!!

 

It was a fairly tight fit with the 302, but it's been so long (June 26, 2008) since the car was in one piece I'm not sure how much room I really had.

And for the full story, you can check it out here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275101&showall=1 - but that's not really what I intended this post to be about. Just looking for advice from guys who have this set-up.

 

Here's some older pics of the 302 in the bay:



So the 351W is 1.5 inches taller and 2 inches wider?

 

It's the same front to rear,(if you use same style water pump)
Like that prior post, it's wider. Check the steering and exhaust
for clearance of the extra width.

 

Are the engine mounts the same at the block -- as in, could I use the same mounts from my 302?

 

The engine mounts bolt up, and fit the same.

 

Looking at the steering in my pics, it doesn't look like I'd have the clearance.

 

I would think that you could snake the headpipe around the steering with a little work.

Remember that the exhaust manifolds go up as well as out. You might have to lower the steering shaft support bearing a touch, but I don't think that should be an insurmountable hurdle.

Shorty headers might make it easier (or harder, depending....). On my roadster, we ended up cutting off the collector flange on the driver side, and extending the collector with a 2 1/2 inch tube to get past the engine mount and steering. Headpipe connects to a vertical flange, similar to a long-tube header setup. Takes some fabrication, but not too bad for someone with the right skillset. (Fortunately, I have friends with exactly the right ones..... LOL)

 

I've got some brand new Sanderson FF1 headers that I had just picked up but hadn't installed before the accident. http://www.sandersonheaders.com/product_info.php?products_id=73

 

My roadster runs the FF3 headers (modified as noted above) on its 302. They are similar to the FF4 in the catalog, but are aparently no longer available.

 

you might be able to run the "straight back" early mustang manifolds. Looks like you do indeed have more than an extra inch on each side where the hood and manifold would meet up. There should be several ways to get the steering to clear, this is just one idea.

 

Drivers side manifold ain't going to work. You may have to go outside the frame with headers. If it is a late HO 302 you.ll have to change the flywheel also.

 

Have a 351 Cleveland in a 29 Murray body. Wider engine but running a 32 grill.

 

it will fit. The widest part is obviously going to be the valve covers. If you use a lower profile cover it should not be an issue. The exhaust may need to be worked around the steering. The bottom side of the motor is not wider. It's only wider at the top due to taller deck height.


Rob

 

The 351W should fit just fine as has been stated. I would go for headers, custom made if necessary, but if you want to run manifolds like you are now, you can use a '63-'65 Falcon/Comet driver side manifold. It flows the same as the 302 manifolds you have now, but it tips forward at the bottom instead of rearward - giving you more room to snake the head pipe around the narrow part of the steering shaft.

-KK

 

this 29 has one, Victor Jr. and all. fits pretty snug.

 

The only difference between a 302 and a 351W is 1/2" stroke. That raises the deck height two inches, so slightly longer headers. Tons more torque out of the 351 and beefier main bearings. Different weight flex plate. - Dave