Ford 351W vs chevy 350---how do they compare?

Hey guys,

I am thinking about replacing the 289 in my old 67' Bronco with a 351W. I was wondering if anyone here knows how the famous chevy 350 and it compare in similar applications?

I have worked on both rebuilt both and raced both. What exactly do you want to know?

I'm no wrench but I would simply go with the 351 just to keep the parts in the same family amigo.

Sounds like a cool project...had two broncos back in the 80's. They were great rides. Both had the 351's & the 84 came with the H.O. engine...it made the 81 seem like a snail.

Just general comparison info. I know, for example, the Chevy is cheaper to work on.

I may be completely wrong, but I thought hot-rodders picked the Chevy 350 more often because it was easier to work on and a better motor. The Windsor was, if I remember correctly, less reliable when performance parts were added. Also, you can swing a dead cat and hit parts to "soup up" a Chevy 350.

As an aside, have you considered a crate motor from Roush? That would be pretty easy and it would run on pump gas.

M_P

Yea generally chevy will be cheaper to work on and easier to find parts.
Me personally I like the 351Windsor I have never been a fan of Siamese intake and exhaust ports on the chevy. It really depends on what exactly you want to do. If your are wanting a strict race car I would say chevy just because it is cheap and everybody has parts. If you are wanting more of a everyday driver then I would say 351windsor.

350 Chevy is bulletproof.

It will run 300k miles easy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by modern_pirate

I may be completely wrong, but I thought hot-rodders picked the Chevy 350 more often because it was easier to work on and a better motor. The Windsor was, if I remember correctly, less reliable when performance parts were added. Also, you can swing a dead cat and hit parts to "soup up" a Chevy 350.

As an aside, have you considered a crate motor from Roush? That would be pretty easy and it would run on pump gas.

M_P

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I used to work on a full drag race pinto with a 315w stock crank, stock rods, solid roller lunati camshaft shift point 8200 rpms 2 stage nitrous system that motor ran for more than 4 years in that configuration before the crank finally gave way never seen a chevy handle that.
Chevy is popular because it is plentiful and cheap if you are racing really Racing you are going to go through motors it is a lot cheaper and easier to replace chevy motors than ford motors.

It would appear that I am completely wrong, then.

M_P

The Chevrolet small block has many advantages over the Ford small block:
- Heavy duty, high nickle content block w/ 4 bolt nodular iron main caps vs cast blocks w/ cast 2 bolt mains.
- Forged steel crankshafts vs cast iron crankshafts.
- Forged steel connecting rods w/ 3/8" rod bolts vs 5/16" rod bolts.
- Superior oiling system.
- 17 head bolts vs 10 head bolts.
- Heads featuring larger valve sizes for improved performance.
- Simpler cooling system