I need a short block to drop into my 1978 Ford Econoline e150.

I need to know what other Frods came with the 351 Windsor. I need to grab one from the bone yard due to limited founds and can't spring for th $900 - 1400 for a rebuilt short block.

I tried searching other boards for info on this engine, but no other board compares to knowlege in info that can be found here!!!!!! :hail:

Thanks

 

I am definately not a ford man , even though I own a F150 with a 300 6cyl.
But I have done many engine swaps even on fords.
First of all go with a long block unles you are certain your heads are in really good shape. Most of the time it costs more to have the heads PROFFESIONALLY redone and stick them on a short block than it would to get a long block complete .

A bone yard engine is not a bad option as long as you check the engine over real well.

Most of your large Ford and Mercury cars and truck such as earlier LTD, Marquis,up to late 70's thunderbird,Broncos,F-series pickups and vans had the 351 W . So it shouldnt be hard to find.

Good Luck.

 

Cool!!! That will make my life a lot easier! I would hate to have to yank a engine out of a van twice. Once will be enough for me. So I think I will find a truck to get one from.

The heads are only 1 year old so they should be fine. I ran a quick compersion test and nothing wierd came up. Nice even compersion accross all pistons. The current block has a really nasty rod knock. Ithink there has been enough damage done that I won't be able to rebuild it. It's so loud that I am affraid to start it.

I can pick up a short block for $99.00 + $14.95 core at my local pick n' pull about 4 blocks away. Long blocks are $139.00 + core, I belive my heads are fine so need to drop the extra $.

 

Another option is to install a new or remanufactured crank,new rod and main bearings and high volume oil pump in the engine as long as you havent spun a bearing .
If your compression was good on all cylinders , that is the way I would go.
If you do make sure you plastiguage the rods and mains to make sure you have the proper clearances.

That way you know you have a good engine.

 

Yeah but after the cost of all the machine work that would be needed it would be out of my ball park for now. My main goal is to get it back up and running so it can pass emissions testing. I pick the van up for free becuase of this rod knock. I took one look at it and said I would take it off his hands. Once it is back up and running and I get some more money I plan on doing a full rebuild. For now a scrap yard engine seems to be the perfect $150 or so fix.

 

I agree BUT
MOST LATE MODEL BLOCKS IN THE YARDS WILL BE 302's.
351?
IF LUCKY a Wagon.
Even Licolns, same story.
Most 302's

 

Yeah, thats why I'm trying to stay with in the same years '70's early '80's cars and trucks. I finally found a good website that had info on how to identify the 351W from the 351C and 351M. So I took a stroll through the yard and found out that i have manny to chose from. I figure sence I was there I would look for 3.4L block, no luck. The 3 yards near me don't even have 1 fourth gen camaro / fierbird. So when the time comes for me to do the 3.4 swap I will just make the 5 hour trip to L.A. to pick one up. Thanks to my layoff last year my plans to do the swap have been delayed by about 6 - 8 months. Oh well maybe it's for the better, My 3.1 still has plenty of life left in it.

 

I check autozone .com for pricing for under $300 you could do a crank job , it comes with all the components you need.
You shouldnt have any special machine work to do . You dont even have to remove the heads.
I just hate to see you spend $150 on an egine that might have worse problems than yours.
I know what its like to be on a tight budget.

 

You need it machined?
Can you still get it to LA?
Want to call my machinist friend to ask him his costs & such?
Could that help ya?
Give a shout!
I can only offer

 

The reason I want it machined is that you can hear the psiton / rod slaping and then scraping the inside of the block. Not good!! It's about ready to pop out through the bottom or the side of the engine. I accauly had a piston drop out of the bottom of engine on me once. Scared the %&@$#! out of me! I can't get it to L.A. becuase I don't have a truck or van that can make it. I can only drive the van about 4 blocks before she's dies. Then I have to wait for a few minutes and she will fire back up. It would be one funny/fustrating trip!

My wohle plan for this van has been to get it in good running order and use it to give my Camaro a break on the weekends, go to L.A. and pick up a 3.4L for the Camaro, and get a better job if my current prospects fall through (I might get rehiered at my old job ).

The $99 bone yard engine comes with a 30 day exchange. So if it truns out to be a bum engine I can all ways go back and get another. The only thing I will have lost will be my time that I put into putting it in and the price of the gaskets. So for now that seems to be the most cost effective plan for me.


I plan on trying to pull one from a car. Trucks and Vans tend to be beaten into the ground before they make it to the big yard in the sky. If I get rehiered (Iwill know in the next 2 -3 days) I will be able to take the money I have been holding on to and do the swap this weekend, or at lest start. I will definetly keep you guys posted on my progress. This will be my first swap!!

 

Good luck on the swap.
The 30 days thing isnt a bad deal either.

 

BESY THOUGHTS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT!

 

Well Friday I met with my old boss for lunch and got the job!!!!!!! I was rehired at $2 less then what I was making before, but it's still a a lot of money so I'm not complaining!!!! If he would have asked for me to take a $2/hr pay cut in the first place I would have teaken it! Oh well that's the way it goes some times. I won't be at the same account this time, but that's ok. I get one day of training at the new account then I take it over!!! Kinda scary, but I like that sort of presure!

Well wasn't able to get the engine block this weekend, becuase I was busy helping my brother swap a 350 SB into his '79 Camaro. Worked for 12 hours getting it in there, but was worth it for the experience. Plus he will help witht he engine swap in the van and he has a hoist and engine stand to make life a little easier and less expensive.

Depending on what happens in the next week I should be able to pick the engine block up this comming weekend. So far I have removed the seats and striped down the top portion of the engine in order to get it ready to be removed.

On top of the good news about the job I had entered a drawing to 2 NASCAR tickets at Sears Point. Well I got a call yesterday saying that I won!!!!!! :lala: :lala: I gueess after 8 months of bad luck things had to turn around for me!

 

That is sincerely wonderful news for ya.
So excellent!
Splurge on your fourth of July!
Ya earned it!
Lucky, go visit the trees/hillside at the corkscrew for me!
I loved visiting that spot after driving up from LA!
Fondest memory is seeing Richard Petty race one last time, there.
Nicest bunch of people I ever met.
Lived at the food for less on ham & cheese & bread, in back of the 3.4 swap Blazer, all race weekend.
Partied with the greatest group of gearheads you'd ever meet.
HAVE AN EXCELLENT RACE WEEKEND!!!
Is that road to Sears Point Paradise Road?
Sure looks like it.......

 

Congrats on the rehire!

Going to sears point Huh Lucky dog

At least youll get a chance to watch Tony Stewart win Live.

I had a decision to make myself , either go to Richmond Nascar race or CREED concert, I took the CREED , Ill go to Richmond next time.

Oh , let us know how the swap goes.