This is most likely a stupid question however, after the sudden demise of the 2.0 in my 72 pinto I have decided to go with a V8 (mostly due to unavailability of parts or just something I always wanted to do)
I wanted to go with a 302 c4 combo which is going to be a big enough pain to put in the pinto but I have just come across a 351w in a whole running car for an unbelievable price. How much more trouble will i have putting that into my 72 than I would have with the 302. I know the 351 is a bit higher and wider but not sure how much.
I have no problem going with a hood scoop but don't want to ruin my car putting in the engine.
any thoughts would be appreciated.
Joe
Well since no one has responded, here's my 2 cents. As far as getting the engine and trans in the car there are not really any different fitment issues between the 302 and 351w. They share the same bellhousing bolt pattern , motor mount locations and overall engine lenght. But since the engine is wider the exhaust is going to be the main difference. I don't know if stock exhoust mainfolds will fit. The 351 pinto's I have seen have all had the hooker headers. They are different than the 302 headers. On the 351, 2 tubes go down along side the engine and the back 2 exit through a hole you have to cut in the fender well, then snake around back under the car and join up with the other 2 tubes at the collector. Of course the only place you will find these headers is e-bay and they ain't going to be cheap. But maybe maifolds will fit, I've just never seen them on a 351. The other thing to consider is you will have traction issues, at least on the street with the torque of a 351.Â
Bob   Â
Great answer Bob. A "one up for you"
Thanks Bob
I dint think I want to get that expensive or involved with this project.
I still wish i could find a decent used 2.0
Joe
i don't think that headers for a 351w will fit in an early chassis. not sure what the difference is but the hooker catalog list 74-80. A set of mustang ii 302 manifolds may work though. or you can run a set of 5.0 mustang headers if you flip them side to side and run them dumping forward. also with the 302 you have to find a mustang ii oil pan and those can be tricky to find cheap. just my two cents.
brad #2
flipped mustang shorties will work on a 351w into an early Pinto
for a mustang II oil pan i called auto zone and they special ordered it it cost around 70$$
Hope your ready to do frame. If you want to go crazy do a 347 Stroker
The 351 is alot heavier. It will be harder to fit, hurt traction (as mentioned before) because #1 the extra torque it will make. #2 It adds MORE weight to the front and (think about this a little) pushes the front down and causes it to "lift" a little on the back, hurting traction even more. You're also going to need subframe. You'd be better off doing what im going to do. a 2.3L EFI Turbo swap. I know of somone who ran a 12.2 with a 2.3 that was almost stock other than a larger turbo and larger injectors (not just a huge turbo upgrade either) and yet another guy with a twin turbo efi 351w pinto only makes a 12.7 and is bound to get much worse gas milage than the 2.3 turbo. Yes it looks nice and sounds mean and stuff, but thats got to be a horrible traction problem. Just my two cents here!
All Great points pintoguy76.......... ;D