How Do You Tell the Difference Between . . .

[TomO]

A 302 and a 351W on the early carburetor-equipped box bodies?

Are there some easy visual differences? I'm not familiar with the earlier engines, but I need to be able to visually differentiate between a 302 and 351 on a car that I'm looking at.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[1990LTD]

easiest way for me is to look where the distributor meets the block. note the differences:

302 block




351 block



you can see the two vertical "ribs" that come up on either side of the distributor, i presume for reinforcement

[TomO]

OK -- Thanks! That is a good way to tell the difference. Thanks for the info.

By the way, did both the early box-body 302's and 351's come with the variable venturi carbs?

[hypostang]

Not all 351s have those ribs , if you look at the distance between the water pump outlets and the head mounting surface there is a big difference, on the 302 they are right at the deck surface , 351 it is about an inch and a half below .

[TomO]

Not all 351s have those ribs , if you look at the distance between the water pump outlets and the head mounting surface there is a big difference on the 302 they are right at the deck surface , 351 it is about an inch and a half below .

OK -- yes, I can see that now from the photos. Thanks for that additional info!

[86VickyLX]

351w the valley is wider. If you're just trying to find a 351w, if the engine is original, look at the VECI decal on the fan shroud, it'll give the year, the engine size, sparkplug gap etc.

[1990LTD]

What car are you looking at? Some cop cars and Canadian cars got 351 motors, I don't know if it was an option on civilian models.

[1990LTD]

You could also check the firing order

[1987cp]

I usually just look at the waterneck; on a 351 it is physically possible to put a socket wrench on the lower water pump bolt without any additional disassembly. Very convenient.

[PushnFords]

A friend had a '78 I think it was with a 351W...I don't remember it being a cop car. My '82 had the variable venturi carb. Another easy way to tell is to measure the width of the intake.

[gadget73]

78 was possibly a 351M. The bigger cars came with bigger motors. The police models in 78 probably had a 460. I know someone who had a 77 LTD II police car with a 460 at any rate.

[1990LTD]

panthers started in 79

[PushnFords]

It was a '79 then...almost identical to my '82 except the engine. Of course that was 14 years ago and I never worked on his car so he could of been full of it and I didn't know any better.