Hope you guys can help me out. I have a rebuilt 351w from a 1996, and I want to hook it up to an srod OD trans from the mid 80's that was behind a 302. I know Fords start getting sticky with different flywheels, clutches, and starters. What will I need to make this work?
Ford changed the starter/ring gear in '82-83, not sure which. After that, most 302's and 351's use the same flywheel, balance and all. I say "most", we are talking Ford! SROD isn't a very good transmission, the internal linkage has fiddling little plastic bits that wear out fast. The external linkage Orion is much better. I bought a new flywheel for my 351W-M5 combo, $140.
5.0 engines went to a 50oz imbalance starting in 81, but all 351W's and 351C's are the same 28oz imbalance that the early 289/302 used. The other thing you have to watch for is that the flywheel, bellhousing, and separator plate have to match (164 vs 157 teeth).
yeah that engine will need a 50 oz balanced flywheel. ford changed from the 28 oz in the early 80's. those srod transmissions are junk. it won't last long behind a 351w. if i was you i would try to find a t5 out of a late 80's or early 90's mustang or one of those 3+overdrive toploader transmissions from the mid to late 70's. both of them will give you an overdrive.
Only the 302 changed to 50oz-in, the 351 stayed 28oz-in, so you can't use the flexplate from the 80's 302.
Humm, I looked at a flywheel for a 85 351 and a 95 351 and they are different. Did Ford go to a one piece rear main with the newer motors? Does the flywheel have to match the year of the motor?
28oz. balance period. Make sure you have the correct amount of teeth for your application. The most common is 157. There is a 164 that I believe is only used in pickups and heavier trucks.
Your flywheel balance must match the engine (sounds like that's 28 oz., or same as an early, pre-81 SB), the size (157 teeth or 164 teeth) is dictated by which bellhousing you want to use...
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