Depends, what do you plan to use your car for? and what is your budget? Generaly 302 is best cause it drops right in, with plenty of room. You can make plenty of power and even decent milage with a 5 speed.
I'm hoping I will get a stroked 302 installed maybe next year sometime. The nice thing about the 302 block is its a little smaller than the 351 block and you can stroke it up to 347. I'm sure others have a lot more info on it but I think I'll be happy with a 302 block.
i think i have a question on this that may require a poll, i have worked on many windsor 351 based blocks and 351 firing order 302s.i have owned and worked on several 289 and 302 with the standard firing order as well. I strongly prefer the 302 firing order. seems to have more initial catch and smoother\faster rev up.the 351 firing order seems to be rougher idle and not quite as strong towing wise?.. maybe its just me?
It's funny you mention that... The reason Ford supposedly swapped to the 351 FO is it spreads the shock load on the crank more evenly, adding durability. AND According to Comp Cams, there is a side effect of increasing HP by around 10%. The SBC has the same FO as the 289/302, and Comp experimented with the 351 FO in the SBC. When it showed an increase in power in the Chevy, Comp started making a line of cams just for the SBC with the revised FO! So there must be something to it... Probably frees up some parasitic loss due to the crank being loaded unevenly with the 'old' FO. When you say it doesn't tow well that way, I wonder if the increase in HP is higher in the powerband, thereby losing some low end grunt... ??? I have had 351w trucks though, that pulled amazingly well considering the relatively small cubic inches. (I normally tow with a PSD 444) My EFI 5.0, with the old FO, F150 tows like a gutless turd. Not arguing, just comparing notes. As for the OP, I'd recommend a 302 unless you are dead set on a 351. The 302 just fits so much better. If you do a 351, make it worth the effort and stroke it to 393 or 408... You can do a 393 for literally just a couple hundred more than a bone stock rebuild. Good bang for the buck.
do you think the car could handle that much horsepower or would i have to do some stuff to the frame and etc.
keep in mind that the 302 is lighter than a 351 windsor so your car will have a better balance to it.
True. You can feel it when your car is nose heavy. My 75 did with a 351c, but I wasn't into fast corners or anything, so it doesn't really bother me in that situation.
i agree on the nose weight, the mav i had and the ones i've ridden in with the 6 seem a little more squirly in the corner.....
What kind of suspension, and tires are you going to be using? If drag racing the car is in the future, depending on hp levels you are trying to achieve a 6 pt cage may be wanted too. But like they said above a 351W is about a 100lbs heavier. But a properly tuned 302/ 302 stroker will run just as good, and fit better.
I agree... completely, but I dont know what he wants to do to get the 351/408 too... I'd go for the 408 if the budget allows.
