what would happen if...

Ryans5.8ranger · Post by **Ryans5.8ranger** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:38 pm

if i take a 302 block with 351 heads and cam will this combo make a good runner or a paper wieght....just something im pondering...Thanks

cgrey8 · Post by **cgrey8** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:16 pm

I personally wouldn't do that. But maybe someone else knows something I don't...which happens quite frequently.

If the 351w is an 87 or newer, the heads are hopefully the E7TE heads which are the same heads that came on the 87-95 GTs. At one point, the 351w came with E6AE/E6SE heads that were a terrible head design with no performance potential even with porting. Ford quickly redesigned and came out with the E7TE head a year later which wasn't bad for a stock engine and was the standard stock SBF head from 87-95. If they are the E7TEs, you aren't gaining anything over a stock GT.

And the 351w cam is most likely much "weaker" than a 302 GT. I'd expect a truck cam to be focused more on low end torque, not performance.

If you are looking to swap out the 351w for a 302-based engine, I'd go no less than a 331 stroker with an aftermarket cam. A 331, aftermarket cam, stock heads, and headers are not too shabby in a Ranger...or in anything for that matter. And the aftermarket support for a 302-based engine will get you much further if you decide it's not enough.

On the cheap, you can port out stock E7TE heads. If you have the patience to port out a set of E7TE heads, they can be made to flow a pretty good amount. They were evidently quite restrictive and have a fair amount of potential once ported.

The Tri-Y Mustang headers also are reported to fit Rangers really well. And for mild performance, the Tri-Ys are just fine...certainly better than cast iron manifolds and it doesn't hurt that they are affordable too. For more cash, there are other header options that are Ranger-friendly.

The stock GT intake is good for street use if you port the lower, that is assuming you keep it injected. Ported GT intakes are good for ~350hp.

A Cobra or Explorer intake is an upgrade to the stock GT intakes where the Explorer intake stock is good up to about ~330hp and the Cobra good up to ~350hp. Both are good for ~400hp when their GT40 lower is ported.

Hope that helps...

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:30 pm

Ryan,
Lot depends of the years of the block and heads, which cam? The 302's have been around since '68' and the 351's from '69'. If they are still stock, got some casting numbers? Some years really never were performance engines.
Dave

Ryans5.8ranger · Post by **Ryans5.8ranger** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:25 pm

the engine (351) i put in is a 74 im sure of that..i found that out after i put it in cuz im a dumb ass it has the large spark plugs which are only found on 74 and older i was told and its no rocket so im guessing its around 170-200HP not the 300 ish a 69 winsor was...But mabe this engine i have is worth spending a little money on??or i found a dirty 302ho carb for 250$ i dont know what to do....also cash does seem to be a factor i only want to spend about a thousand bux on this years upgrade...

broncobowsher · Post by **broncobowsher** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:11 pm

For all pratical purposes the 351 heads are the same as the 302 heads.

The 351 heads got a reputation decades ago because a limited number ('69 and '70) had slightly larger valves then the normal small blocks. Back when all you had to work with was stock heads, those were the best you could get. After about '71 the castings and valves were commonized and the only difference was what size drill bit was used to drill the head bolt holes, 351 got bigger holes.

Those early heads are outdated by any of the aftermarket heads out today. They are hard to find. Generally in very poor shape. Needing as much spent to bring them up to usable condition as a cheap set of better flowing heads. It may have been the hot thing in the 70's, but it isn't so hot today.

Compression ratio, who knows. Depends on what castings you have and the dish of the head and the height of the block.

Cam, big cams are needed for crappy flowing heads if you want power. Big cams suck

Put it all together, it should run. How good? About like a highschool kid building an engine with junkyard parts. Depending on the cam, as good as a stock 302, maybe less, maybe more. It will not be any powerhouse.

cgrey8 · Post by **cgrey8** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:31 pm

In other words, you'd be ahead of the game to get an Explorer 302 which is most definitely a roller block, with GT40 or GT40p heads. Even if you take the Explorer intake off in favor of a carb setup, it's still a good foundation of an engine. Throw a used cam such as an E303, and you'll have far more than you would have with that old 351w which can't cheaply be converted to a roller block. Depending on what kind of deals you find and how much stuff you already have, I would suspect you could get a modern day 302 working for ~$1000.

Ryans5.8ranger · Post by **Ryans5.8ranger** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:12 pm

Things for me to ponder,i might swap it again to a 302, thats the best thing about what i did,now that i made room for the 5.8 the 302 will fit easy as pie, except for my exaust .......anyone ever tried useing a stock mustang 87-92 ish exaust on a ranger?? keeping in mind my stock gas tank is long gone. cell behind the rear diff.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:22 pm

Yep, you just happened to find one of the crappest years that Ford made the small blocks, I know and learned the hard way. In both the 302 and 351. the deck height was increased about .025 and the compression was dropped to 8.7 for the 351 (72-76). Old machinest told me that they also retarded the timing all for emmissions. The 351 heads were 60cc volume which would work (depending on what 302/5.0) alright with a little freshening up if you are on a buget. Got to be really careful when mixing different years of block and heads. Not everyone needs or can afford all they want anymore.
Dave - keep the questions coming!

Ryans5.8ranger · Post by **Ryans5.8ranger** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:35 pm

so if i took my crappy 74 ,351 and mill the block and heads down alot...install a cam port it alittle then mabe it will work good?

v8ranger · Post by **v8ranger** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:02 am

I personly would ditch that motor and get the 5.0HO. You can rebuild that put a cam in it and some GT-40 heads for the $1000 and I think you will be allot happyer with the performance of that over that old 351. Thats just my opinion.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:33 pm

As far as to the amount of milling required, it's only about 0.030" to get it back up to a good spot. It is just so hard to determine what shape of the parts are that you have and if they have been modified already. Like many have said, by the time you get the heads reconditioned and the block done, you really are better off finding a low mileage 302/5.0. Some shops sell rebuild, non performance motors for cheap. Just way too many options out there.
Dave

Ryans5.8ranger · Post by **Ryans5.8ranger** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:57 pm

ya been thinking this one threw i think im goin to put a 302 in, Take my 351 and build i up and put it back in mabe next year. i like havein the 351 in my truck as only small amount of people have them in their ranger...then again im still holding out for my super charger next year .then il be happy..mabe.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:10 pm

You sound like several people here that are just never happy with having too much power. The sound of a blower coming on does not lead to good gas mileage but damn it's great! Who needs a radio when you crank the window down and the motor up!
Dave

Ryans5.8ranger · Post by **Ryans5.8ranger** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:22 pm

Well dont get me wrong i like just enuff to make it fun to drive..but..i have always stopped and pooped alittle at the guys that can be rollin along at tweenty or thirthy klicks and then ,Bam break the tires loose on dry pavement ,....and i want that.