Join Our Ford Truck Forum Today

Document your Ford truck project here and inspire others! Login/Register to view the site with fewer ads.

Register Log in

87 351w rebuild suggestions

Joshrabbitt14

21
0
I am beginning to rebuild my old 87 with the carbureted 351w and it's been sitting for over 10 years and I want to do a complete rebuild. With the rebuild I want to use performance parts and get some good power for fun but keep it reliable for my daily driver. What do you guys recommend to put into my motor? Also I don't want to spend a crazy amount of moneysmilieFordlogo
 
O'Rattlecan

O'Rattlecan

Redneck Prognosticator
26,687
797
Belton, MO
I'm currently in the process of getting a 351w rebuilt. If it's carb'ed, I can't help you much on that choice, but if you want to keep it mild enough for a stock bottom end, you can keep it in a fairly reasonable budget. Go get it machined and put some heads on it. A lot of guys like the AFR 185 heads but they cost around 1200 bucks. Other options are some old genuine Ford GT40 heads off a 5.0 cobra or 5.0 explorer. If you get those reconditioned you might be in about 500-600 bucks. Once you get your parts figured out you can pick a camshaft to match.

Ryan
 

Joshrabbitt14

21
0
What kind of pistons do you recommend? And also what benefit does a header have over a manifold? Also will gt40 heads that come off of a fuel injected motor be the same as a carbureted one? Like will the intake manifold bolt up the same?
 
Last edited:
O'Rattlecan

O'Rattlecan

Redneck Prognosticator
26,687
797
Belton, MO
Yes, the heads are the same and will line up with a carb style intake.

Flat top pistons are only if you want to increase compression. I would just start picking out components and the rest of the engine will fall into place. I ended up finding my heads first, and I began to choose other components to best suit that part.

Ryan
 
primetime

primetime

sawmill slave
1,495
64
Onaway Michigan
Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM, Lunati Voodoo #LUN-61000LK (207/213*@.050, .466/.483 lift, idle-5000 rpm range), the previously mentioned GT40 or GT40p heads, and rebuild the bottom end stock with good quality stuff and you`ll have a strong performing engine that will last a long time for a pretty reasonable amount.

One thing to keep in mind, your stock heads have 70cc combustion chambers, I believe GT40s are 60cc, and GT40ps are 58cc. With 60cc chambers, and flat top pistons you will have about 11:1 compression. That`s way to much for iron heads and pump gas. In his book Ford Performance, Pat Ganahl said every 5.5cc you take out of the combustion chamber nets you one point of compression. I think that may be optimistic, but you get the idea. Be careful with your head/piston choices.
 
DNFXDLI

DNFXDLI

The Token Canadian
Staff member
49,083
1,089
The Great White North
My understanding of ProComp are that they are made in China copies that are going to require work done to them...you might be better off getting a more reputable product that will be bolt on with no additional work.
 

Joshrabbitt14

21
0
If I decide to go aftermarket aluminum heads what sizes should I be looking for? What about a distributor/ignition? I know Ill be needing a new one
 
Last edited:
SuperCab

SuperCab

Moderator
Staff member
10,068
547
Montana
Can't help you much on the heads, but I can say as far a budget builds go, a cam and flattop pistons will wake up an engine for cheap...

Headers are not ever high on my list...

One of the best things you can spend time on is getting the right carburetor... Bigger = not always better.
 

duh66

5
0
another not so expensive option is to make sure everything is exact like equal weight on all pistons and rods equal length on all rods and making sure the crank is well balanced etc. i mean ur not gonna get any large gains but its still helps for sure so tht u avoid haviing the motor work against itself and deteriorating prematurely especialy if ur gonna use it as a daily driver
 

Ford Truck Articles

Recent Forum Posts

Top