Hey yo, I finally got to visit a local salvage yard today and here's what I found: 5.0 H.O. Cobra Motor out of a Fox Mustang.




I also found this old vehicle that had something very interesting too. A 351 windsor



Here's what it came out of:



And I also found this old school Ranger that most of you will enjoy. It's a 1987 model.



which engine should I choose? Hmm, them choices are tough to choose from.

 

the 351

 

I leaning towards it for many reasons. I know it will fit because that engine is in an econoline van and it was built for tight clearances. It will fit in my ranger no question. it's a carbed motor too. The hard part will be pulling it out of that friggin van which was a 1983 model. looks like I found a gold mine.What did you think of that old ranger I found? It's in better shape than the others he had setting there and it's the oldest he has too.

 

yes get the 351, my moms bronco has one and it is definitely a powerhouse

 

I have driven a Bronco with a 351 and yes it is indeed a monster. That would be great in my truck. The best part is that van you saw has less than twice the engine space I have now. Here's a really good eye opener for some of my theories: How much does that 1983 Econoline Van weigh compared to my little 2004 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 Edge model? that engine wouldn't be pushing no where near the weight it pushed in that van. It would be very stupid to think otherwise. I bet that would be an awesome ride. Now if I can get him to give me a quote on it and the tranny I'd be in good shape. He gave me one on the 302 H.O. and tranny: $650.00 bucks for both which is dirt cheap. They don't want pull out the 351 though and I really can't blame them on that either.

 

It's just an exterior package, nothing differnet motor-wise.

Be aware of the issues when using a 351 as opposed to a 302, if you so choose to use it.

 

i had a windsor in a gen 1 the only issue i had was header clearance i ended up notching the frame slightly

 

wow some awesome finds man, my first vehicle was a '72 LTD it had a 351 in it ( but it was a clevland ) for as big and heavy as the car was it would still scoot pretty good. I vote the 351 also. good luck.

 

Yep. The 351 is a damn good motor. my uncle has an old 78 LTD that has one and getting it off his hands is next to impossible along with getting in a hello and a goodbye in too. Thanks man. I look forward to doing the swap really soon. like around tax refund time which aint far away.

Yep. Don't they make engine swap headers/shorties now? I'm pretty sure they do. He didn't look at the bigger picture. That engine was built for use in "tight spaces" with little or no clearance. Now if it was out of a different vehicle then yeah I can see some clearance problems but not much.

 

Kyle, I'm afraid that you're a little bit off my friend. But not too far off. The photo you picked was the 302 H.O. not the 351 windsor. That van posted in the other photos was the 351 windsor. and if you were to look you'd see that the van I found has way, way less engine bay than what I have now. I have at least twice the space so I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the 351 will indeed fit. In fact the one posted will fit better than the picture you picked.

here's the 351 windsor photo:



here's what we were talking about:



That's what was in the Econoline Van.

 

I should have been more specific, I was referring to the 302 with the "It's just an exterior package, nothing differnet motor-wise. " comment.

When I said "Be aware of the issues when using a 351 as opposed to a 302, if you so choose to use it.", I was meaning the differences when compared to a normal 302 swap, incase you are/were unaware. Regaurding PCM, intake, deck height and motor height & width, transmissions, etc

 

definitely the 351 Windsor will be my choice. I plan on using Factory Five Racing's 1965 427 Cobra replica's side pipes through the fender wells but will have to move the gas tank for safety issues. The exhaust pipes tend to get extremely hot and I wouldn't feel too comfortable at all knowing that they're less than 4 inches away from the gas tank. I will be looking at some block hugger headers/shorty headers for additional clearances. Now the oil pan will have to be either a rear sump oil pan or a double hump oil pan that will clear the frame's crossmember and power rack and pinon steering system. which tranny should I use? I would love to have an automatic cause of my really bad knees.

 

Oh ok. I thought you were reffering to the the first photo which was the 302 H.O. I know all about that my friend. That's one of the versions of the 351 which "The Ranger station" recomends because Ford motor company moved things around a bit because of the tight engine bay it has. I've done S10 Dimer V8 swaps before but this will be my first Ford Ranger V8 swap. I did see a few oil pans on summit racing and jegs that were made specificly for the ford ranger. they have one out now for the S10 that holds 7 quarts and it looks like an "L".

 

What are you going to put the motor in? Whats the ultimate goal for vehicle? The first motor isn't a cobra motor its just a plain 5.0. So you're comparing 2 pretty similar engines they both have terrible heads/intakes for performance, similar blocks except deck height, so about the only difference is cubes and overall physical dimensions. I'd say if you're worried about overall width go with the 5.0 if the width isn't a problem just go with the 351.
I do have to snicker when I read about the "351 is a powerhouse". I guess thats just how things change. Windsors use to not even be worth messing with. I've given a few away because I want nothing to do with them.

 

what do you mean transmission difference any tranny that will bolt to a 302 will bolt right up to the 351 as far as the pcm he said ha was gonna run a carb and the windsor is 21/4 inches wider and 3 inches taller then the 302

 

I would go 351 if you can. I had the 351W in my F250 with a mild cam in it, a edelbrock intake, and a carter carb. Thing had power.

 

Good luck using a stock T-5 behind a 351W . . .
I simply stated there are differences in PCM/ECU systems . . .
The height can be a major issue when used with certain intakes, valve covers, motor mounts, suspension/oil pan clearance and exhaust clearance in respect to the frame and steering.

Anything else?

 

351 WINDSOR SWAP. - Mustang Forums at StangNet
towards the bottom it stats
"Engine Management-
Any stock 302 computer will handle a mild to moderate 351w swap. The EEC-IV will be fine with larger injectors, heads, intake, and cam"
so obviously a 302 computer will work with a 351

 

I had a '67 Mustang Fastback with a '69 351W in it. I added a cam, intake/carb, headers and it ran great with plenty of HP/torque. I know its a different era engine in a different car, etc, but I always like the Windsor Engines for performance and reliability.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Lol, are you trying to start an arguement or wreck this thread? Why is what I said such a big deal? I said nothing about aftermarket/modification compatibility.

I said (for the third time) "I simply stated there are differences in PCM/ECU systems . . .", meaning that not only does that Econoline have a different PCM/ECU than what most use for a 5.0 swap (A9P/A9L), but that both the Mustang engine and Econoline engines posted are Speed Density, not MA, adding two differences from the normal/most common V8 swaps.

If he's going carb, why do you seem to be going nuts over what I'm simply trying to explain?

 

The 69 heads are non emissions, have larger runners and flow better. The heads on the econoline are not good heads at all. It will be torquey, but dont expect a ton of power in stock trim. If you change the heads, cam, intake, and add some headers it could be a mean sumbich!

 

Agreed why not go with a 5.0 out of a explorer? you can find um wrecked cheap i got mine for $500 then took it to the scrap yard after i took the rear axle/motor/trans/t-case out and still got $200 for it then you also have everything you need for the swap to.
And i also agree that the 351 is about as good for nothing as a boat ancor in stock trim at least better off going 5.0 imho.
What is your goal for the truck? drag/street/DD?

 

I mean, if its gonna be a race truck, then I'd go with the 351 and build the snot out of it, you can get a TON of HP out of them with aftermarket parts, basically its like a 347 stoker but with bigger outside dimensions. However, stock for stock, the Explorer 302 makes more power, its fuel injected, and will bolt in sooo much easier (in a ranger). The 351 can fit, but I promise it will be a pain in the ***. Its not the top part that is a pain, the problem lies in getting the exhaust manifolds/headers to clear the steering shaft and the frame too.

 

If using the 351w as is (not upgrading internals or heads), I would really recommend just doing a 302 Explorer swap. Easier overall and equal to or better power with excellent drivability, etc..

This is going in a 2004 truck? Even more reason to use an explorer based swap - why gut out all the electronics to run a carb and aftermarket gages, etc. Or spend the time to figure out how to (if even possible) make the stock gages work. Just seems like alot of work for little benefit.

Finally, if doing a 351W in the 2004, it is a tight fit. I started mine, but have gotten REALLY side tracked with life, so not sure when I will ever get back to it. I am doing a 4x4 swap, so more involved with getting exhaust past the front driveshaft. I looked into fender well headers, but not much room with tire clearnace in there. Even if I made custom, still liked the inside frame better. I ended up making custom 1 3/4" long tubes tucked inside. Nothing off the shelf (including all the ranger swap headers) even came close. Also made custom oil pan (remember 351W pan is unique to 302), custom balanced the assembly to use explorer damper / crank trigger.lots of custom parts for the cam sensor, intake, etc.. ALOT of work!

Also, if planning a 351W and hoping it up, search for a late (95-96) engine to start from. It has taller lifterbore and setup for roller cam.

Good luck!

 

I can't speak for late model Rangers but if I was to do it again on my '86 I would just build a stroker 302 (331 or 347) as the 302 I had was much better fit & less weight than the 351W I have in it now. I'm a diesel mechanic/fabricator by trade and originally I thought "no problem, same bellhousing & motor mounts, how hard can it be?" Ha, the joke was on me. If just to mention 1 thing, I had to cut up & modify the 302 "engine swap headers" to make work. If I had to pay someone else to do all the work I did to properly make the jump from 302 to 351W it would have cost me more than the truck is worth. Now that it's done . . . it's cool but if I had to do it again, no way unless I was making it worth the hassel like a stroker 393W or 408W.