Ford Mustang Forums banner

351 Windsor swap

21K views 20 replies 11 participants last post by  95Blitz  
#1 ·
I just recently came across a '95 351 EFI windsor engine. My car currently has the 5.0L v8 in it. I'm just curious what extra parts I will need to change. Not sure if it will match up with the transmission either, although, the car needs a new one anyways, so if the trans doesn't match nbd.

So my question is, will the heads, headers, etc.... match up with a 351w swap or will I have to rebuy a bunch of stuff. I also have an e303 camshaft for the 5.0L if anyone knows, will that go in the 351? I can look it up later too. Just thought I'd ask you guys.


Thanks,
Dan
 
#3 ·
Bare minimum you'll need an intake manifold for a 351, distributor, oil pan, some "351 swap" headers, and either a taller hood or "drop" engine mounts or a combination of both. For example I run solid 3/4" drop mounts with a cobra hood and just barely clear my edelbrock victor intake.

You'll also need some way to re-tune or replace the computer because the stock fuel tables won't run 50 extra cubes correctly.

Expect to get nickle-and-dimed on things you won't think of as well. I've done this twice and now but even on the 2nd time there were some surprises I didn't see coming. For example my drop mounts dropped my oil pan right on to my steering rack, so I needed to get offset rack bushings to lower the steering rack. The mounting holes between the mounts and the K-members also did not line up and new ones needed to be drilled. Finally on my intake the solid heater lines did not clear the fuel injectors so I had to find a new way to get coolant to and from the heater core.
 
#4 ·
fenderfuel,
I don't mean to come across as unhelpful, but please do a search on this topic. There are many threads on it with lots of useful info such as seijrou just posted.
There might still be some retailers with "swap kits" still around.
 
#5 ·
Don't bother with the swap if your just going to throw 302 parts on it. If you do that then you are not making use of the extra cubes. It will produce a lot of tq but the hp won't be that impressive
 
#6 ·
this is true to a point, However, Even if you build the engine with 302 parts on top of it, you'll still have the 351 in your car, and you can either boost the crap out of it (then the 302 parts won't matter anymore) or you can slowly gather up the bigger heads and induction to install later.

Either way, even with 302 parts on it the engine block will be much stronger and is a much better platform to start with.

And if 302 parts on a 351 is such a bad thing, why did Ford do it for many years on F150's and E150 vans, not to mention the infamous Lightnings with their GT40 heads and GT40 tubular intakes!
 
#7 ·
Bc ford has not put out a ton of impressive factory powered cars over the year, hence the 95R which had a mild build and did not put out much more then a 302. My point is if you want a 351 build it correctly or boost it. Don't throw in a 351 just for the sake of saying you have one. I'm currently trying to make the most out of my 351 NA with the correct parts that should have been put on it ling ago
 
#8 ·
The "correct" parts on a 351 will make it a beast on the street, but it will also be a beast to drive around town in too. Saleen did it right when he put a docile "302 parts" equipped 351 in the S351 and it would blow away anything the big 3 had to offer at the time (hell, even now).

If you never plan to run boost then yes, build a 351 with some mean parts. But most who own these cars do so because they don't have tons of cash to spend on a brand new Mustang or other quick sports car, so they have to do with what they got. If you got a 351 block and some E7's laying around, slap it together and drop her in, won't be a rocket, but it'll definitely leave the line a little faster!
 
#9 ·
Ya I guess i didn't think to look for other threads. I do have a question though... The engine I'm buying is out of an f150. Its complete from flywheel to oilpan. All i need to buy for it is a computer. I'm just wondering if the f150 block is any different that the lightning block etc... and will it fit in my 95 mustang? I do not plan on putting the engine in right away. I plan on stroking it and putting forged internals, heads and intake on with bigger injectors etc... I know i need a new hood as well. I was more or less trying to figure out a parts list of the minor things I'll need to buy such as wiring harnesses etc...
 
#12 ·
Do not convert to fox front accessories. On the 94-95 all the front accessories from your 302 bolt right over. Doesn't matter 302 or 351w. They are all the same.
 
#13 ·
Do not convert to fox front accessories. On the 94-95 all the front accessories from your 302 bolt right over. Doesn't matter 302 or 351w. They are all the same.
you know what,youre right.i switched to a fox front cover so long ago i had forgot why i did it.now that i think about it,i switched because i couldnt find a standard rotation waterpump for the sn timing cover.
 
#14 ·
thats what i thought about the blocks, but a friend of a friend tried to tell me otherwise. I'm not too worried about how involved it is. I already bought the motor and I have all the time in the world to get it done... its not my daily driver. So, my question is what did you mean by a fox front cover or fox accessories. I've read in a few forums that the 5.8l just drops right into a 95 just put on a taller hood and a couple other parts that don't bolt up to the 351 from the 5.0L. anyways, thanks for all your input so far.
 
#15 ·
So, my question is what did you mean by a fox front cover or fox accessories. I've read in a few forums that the 5.8l just drops right into a 95 just put on a taller hood and a couple other parts that don't bolt up to the 351 from the 5.0L. anyways, thanks for all your input so far.
it was a brainfart,disregard.my 94 only has a waterpump and alt for accessories and i couldnt find a standard rotation waterpump to fit the sn cover.so i switched the front cover to older style to get some decent beltwrap on the wp.
 
#16 ·
I dropping a 351 in mine. It won't quite just drop in. You need the timing cover off your 302. Then you can run the stock accessories - you'll just need a longer belt. You will need a swap oil pan and headers as well. A friend of mine fit a 351 under the stock hood by putting spacers between the K-member and the frame. Or you could get the drop mounts. I'm going to use a tubular K-member and 3/4" drop mounts with mine, although I have a Cobra R hood and it should fit anyway.

Oh and the Lightning short block is the same one that came in the van or regular F-series. The only difference is the heads, cam, and intake.
 
#18 ·
I also have a 1999 v6 mustang.I just purchased a carburated high output 351 windsor with an automatic 3 speed transmission.Im reading that it can be done.some say its easy , others say you have to be a master fabricator.While some say it wont work.What I am having trouble finding is someone whos actually done it sucessfully or failed.I am not using FI so I wont need any computer, so that parts easy.I just want to know if the bell housing will fit, will the motor mounts work from a 95 gt w/ out modification?Will it fit?
 
#19 ·
You will need the K member from any 94/95 V6 or 5.0 Mustang. Or you can use an aftermarket K member designed for this swap. Since you're going carb'd that part of it is very simple. The rest of the drivetrain will mount right into place. There may or may not be a need to modify your driveshaft depending on which transmission you use.

I installed a 5.0 into my 99 V6 body and I have a write up link in my sig below. The wiring part of it won't pertain to your swap but you might find other useful info there.