Posted by Rogue Commet (216.98.199.140) on April 05, 2001 at 02:05:19:
In Reply to: Some questions about a 351W in a Mav posted by Chris on April 04, 2001 at 04:51:59:
Well, I am in the middle of putting a 351W in my 74 Comet. I think that it is a great project. As far as cutting the shock towers, you don't have to cut the shock towers, you can heat them up and pound them in. The diff being that you will have a less smooth surface. The cutting or the beating/heating weakens the towers some either way. The guy that is helping me has done this mod about 10 times. He is mounting the engine about 4-6 inches up from the stock location. This requires more room up top, but your 60ft. times jump up. The heat/beat method also allows you to move it in just where you need it and just as much as you need it. I am going to sand and repaint the eng. compartment after it's ready so, that is no big deal. I found headers just like everyone else said. You will have a diff. time changine plugs, but that is part of the game. The 351W is a torquey little engine.
Mine is almost ready to come back out on the streets after 1 year in the shop. Been doing major porting on the heads and getting them race ready.
What ever you do, don't let other people make up your mind. Judge for yourself as to what you would like. Others tend to get over zelous with what they like about their cars and tell you to do the same with your car. Figure your budget and then look around and get estimates and be sure you know the right questions to ask the guys that will do the work (unless your going to do it). Go with a place that has a good rep and backs their work. If you try to get the best bang for the buck a budget is almost manditory. So get that together 1st and formost. Then look around where you are. I didn't have a 351W when I started, so I had to buy one then rebuild it. I didn't have a strong enough rear end for the amt. of horse power I was going to put out, so I put in a 9" rear end, then the brakes needed to be upgraded to handle the extra power/speed.. Think it all through 1st. You may like the option of a 302 better since it's a bit easier. You may not have enough money to do the 351W blah blah blah....
Get the facts and then decide.
Chris S in Denver
AKA ROGUE COMET