Swapping for a 351Windsor

[portdizzal]

Well, I have been active in the forums more than i used to be, but that is because i have been actively working on the car lately. It will seem as though the head gasket went on the drivers side of the motor. im ok with that. I am actually glad it happened. I have been wanting a little more power for a while now. rather than just repair the motor i have now im just going to do a full motor swap. I called a friend of mine and he got ahold of a 351 Windsor for me (long block). So i have compiled a list of things i had researched that i will be needing to do the swap and a couple minor upgrades.

1. Mark VII computer (i understand this is an upgrade for the non HO comp.)
2 19lb injectors (do these come in the mustangs or something else?)
3 possibly a map sensor
4 351W oil pan
5 truck lower intake manifold (what year model truck?)
6 distributor for the windsor (aparently they are different in size)
7 HO throttle body (how much can i bore out the factory throttlebody?)
8 HO upper intake manifold

If there is anything else i would appreciate the info.

[mrltd]

351W requires 351 specific ac brackets, and if keeping EFI, will need hood modification.

An HO swap and a 351W swap are two way different beasts. An explorer 5.0L would be a drop in swap and have about the same power.

[Pirate]

Well, I have been active in the forums more than i used to be, but that is because i have been actively working on the car lately. It will seem as though the head gasket went on the drivers side of the motor. im ok with that. I am actually glad it happened. I have been wanting a little more power for a while now. rather than just repair the motor i have now im just going to do a full motor swap. I called a friend of mine and he got ahold of a 351 Windsor for me (long block). So i have compiled a list of things i had researched that i will be needing to do the swap and a couple minor upgrades.

1. Mark VII computer (i understand this is an upgrade for the non HO comp.)
2 19lb injectors (do these come in the mustangs or something else?)
3 possibly a map sensor
4 351W oil pan
5 truck lower intake manifold (what year model truck?)
6 distributor for the windsor (aparently they are different in size)
7 HO throttle body (how much can i bore out the factory throttlebody?)
8 HO upper intake manifold

If there is anything else i would appreciate the info.

Hood Scoop required.

In addition, if you are going to be putting an intake manifold on the car, don't waste your time with a stock HO intake, as it's a cork on a 302, and an even worse cork on a 351W. I would go with a Lightning GT40 intake at the very least, and port the lower end.

Ditto with what Mike said, btw, the Exploder engine isn't a bad replacement engine, once you put some headers on it. Toss some AFR 165 heads on it, along with a good intake manifold, and then it will really wake up (leave a stock HO cam in place). One thing you are leaving out is 351W engine brackets....I think I have a complete set, but don't quote me.

[portdizzal]

The car already has a 4" cowl opened up in the hood.(this was just finished this week).

let me get this straight, if i go with the windsor i need motor mounts, a/c brackets, gt40 intake manifold(and i assume tb as well).
19lb injectors,markVII computer, distributor, and 351 oil pan. all =5.8L

the explorer motor would still be 5.0L(but an aluminum block?), afr 165 heads, trick flow intake manifold, headers, 19lb injectors, mark VII computer.

So basically if the explorer block is aluminum and i get the same power from it as i would the windsor build the weight difference would be more beneficial?
What year explorer do i want to look for? and where do i find AFR 165 heads?

[P72Ford]

Explorer block is iron.

AFR 165 heads are available from numerous places. Flatlander Racing is where Larry (Pirate) recommended me to look. The link used to be in his sig...

Those heads will run about 1500; there are cheaper alternatives (could just use regular Explorer heads, and you;d still do well), but those are what I would consider to be the ultimate (AFR stuff).

Do not swap in a 351...

[mrltd]

Motor mounts are the same IIRC on the 5.8, only the AC bracket is different on the 5.8, at least that's what I've heard....

explorer 5.0L has GT40 heads, GT40 style intake, 65mm throttle body, 19lb injectors......and a good cam for our big cars.

If you could find a 93-95 lightning motor... that'd work pretty well if you wanted a 351W


Lincolnmania has done the swap..... On Natehawks 85 vic....

[portdizzal]

I guess i was thinking of the 4.6L that was an aluminum block....and yeah...... 1500 for heads is a bit out of my price range. i know it doesnt look like it but im not made of money i think im going to listen to the wagon racer mrltd and go with an explorer 5.0 with the gt40 goodies and go ahead and get a trick flow upper intake manifold. ill keep you guys posted on what i find.

[mrltd]

nah .... use the stock explorer intake....it's equivalent to a cobra/GT40 and works great with the GT40 heads that are on the explorer motor.

[P72Ford]

I know for a fact the A/C bracket is different. But, I also believe the main bracket on the passenger's side of the engine is also different. Mine has a big 5.8L stamped in it (so does the smaller A/C bracket), and I doubt they would make the distinction if they were the same as a 5L. Some 5.8L cars have an aluminum A/C bracket (my '88 did), and some have a steel A/C bracket (my '90).

[86VickyLX]

Well, I have been active in the forums more than i used to be, but that is because i have been actively working on the car lately. It will seem as though the head gasket went on the drivers side of the motor. im ok with that. I am actually glad it happened. I have been wanting a little more power for a while now. rather than just repair the motor i have now im just going to do a full motor swap. I called a friend of mine and he got ahold of a 351 Windsor for me (long block). So i have compiled a list of things i had researched that i will be needing to do the swap and a couple minor upgrades.

1. Mark VII computer (i understand this is an upgrade for the non HO comp.)
2 19lb injectors (do these come in the mustangs or something else?)
3 possibly a map sensor
4 351W oil pan
5 truck lower intake manifold (what year model truck?)
6 distributor for the windsor (aparently they are different in size)
7 HO throttle body (how much can i bore out the factory throttlebody?)
8 HO upper intake manifold

If there is anything else i would appreciate the info.

If you're goin for an EFI 351W, you're going to need an H.O computer since the H.O 302 and the 351 have the same firing order.

[torquelover]

Do not swap in a 351...

Discouraging words from my 351 Brother from another Mother. And Father.

[gadget73]

If you're goin for an EFI 351W, you're going to need an H.O computer since the H.O 302 and the 351 have the same firing order.

The Mark VII has an HO engine. I'd be more concerned about the fuel map with a 351 vs an HO engine. It would probably run lean without a tune. mass air would get you closer but it probably wouldn't be ideal without a tune.


EFI 351 is entirely do-able but if you want the path of least resistance and cost, a 302 is probably going to be easier. The EFI 351 idea has been tossed around a lot, and really none of it is impractical. The only hurdle for some is the hood clearance. Not a problem in your case obviously. There's a guy on lincolnsonline who did an EFI 351 swap into his 1990 Towncar using a Professional Products 351 EFI intake, the truck fuel rails with their long flexy lines mated to the stock fuel lines on the frame behind the motor, and a Mustang mass air ECM and MAF tuned for a 24# injector. I think the motor also has an E cam in it. He said it runs strong and still makes good fuel economy, mid 20s on the highway. Another guy over there has a 351 in his Mark VII and gets better economy out of it than the stock 5.0 HO motor.


As for the brackets, yes the alt/PS bracket is slightly different on a 351 but the 302 one works. You just end up with one less bolt in it. AC bracket from the 5.0 does not work on a 351. Motor mounts fit right up, trans also bolts up. You need the correct flexplate and oil pan, but they're not hard to come by since the Vic did come optional with a 351.

[P72Ford]

Discouraging words from my 351 Brother from another Mother. And Father.

Well, I said that with the mind of a fuel conscious daily driver of a 351 car...

[DuceAnAHalf]

alternator/ ps pump bracket is the same between the two, motor mounts are the same/

[1987cp]

Want easy? Go carb, install whatever you feel like.

Want trick? Do the SEFI 5.8L. Everyone will hate you, but in a good way.

FYI, the engine in my wagon is basically identical to mrltd's (stock '96 Explorer for the most part) except for the narrower cam and 4V induction system, and I've been very happy with it. I also have taller gears and less converter than he does. Get a '97-'99 5.0L with GT40P heads (F7ZZ casting) and you'll be even better off to start with.

Seems lots of different particular engine combos can work very well if the gears and converter are matched to what you decide to build, and Scottmang has an eBay connection if you need good performance converters for less than retail (pretty sure mrltd has one from the same guy).

Also, don't think I saw it mentioned but pre-'94 351W blocks aren't built for a factory-style rollercam setup. You can still run a roller cam if you pick your 'shaft carefully and spend the $$$ on conversion lifters, or just use a flat-tappet grind, but a lot of us 5.0 guys are so addicted to the practicality of factory-style roller setups that the cam type argument alone seems to put a damper on planned 351 builds from time to time.