is it a 5.0 or 5.8

[1985CrownVicLTD]

ok so im wondering if my 1985 cv is ad 305 5.0 or 351 5.8...

it is carbed.

it have single exhaust (new was on when i bought but its new)

only 85mph max on dash

no push buttion gas door opener.....

[87gtVIC]

Are you sure it is carbureted? model year 85 has CFI which looks very similar to a carburetor to anyone not knowing that CFI existed. Also push button gas door has nothing to do with anything. Give us an engine bay shot and we will tell you what you have.

[mrltd]

it's on the emissions sticker...if you can find it.

But I can garundamtee you it's NOT a 305.

[1990LTD]

If it's a carb then probably a 351...but if it's the CFI then maybe not. Can't tell you for sure unless you post an engine bay shot, or you posted your door jamb sticker/VIN number. Google 'ford fleet vin decoder' and it'll tell you every bit of info pertinent to your boat.

[Nathan in MI]

Give us an engine bay shot and we will tell you what you have.

Preferably one with the air cleaner removed. Dave is likely right that what you have is Ford's infamous CFI, or Central Fuel Injection. It looked and operated similarly to a carburetor, but rather than having jets and boosters, it had a pair of fuel injectors mounted inside the barrels.

Assuming that's the case, it's a 302, or 5.0. There are only two ways it could be a 351, or 5.8. One is if it were originally a police car, which given the picture you have in your signature and the fact that the speedometer only goes to 85 seems unlikely. The other is if it were manufactured in Canada where CFI was never used (carburetors were used on 302s through 1985) and 351s were available to the civilian market.

[1990LTD]

That explains why I've never seen a CFI car. I've wondered about that..

[Nathan in MI]

Yep, you guys were never cursed with that atrocity known as CFI.

[1990LTD]

Just driving on the saltiest roads this side of Bonneville

[Smokestacklightnin]

Yep, you guys were never cursed with that atrocity known as CFI.

It may be the bastard child of Ford induction, but it's good when it's good!

[andymac0035]

There is also the possibilty that it's not the original engine. My 81' CV had a 255 when I got it..........it had a 351w in it when I sold it.

[1987cp]

There is also the possibilty that it's not the original engine. My 81' CV had a 255 when I got it..........it had a 351w in it when I sold it.

Yay for 255 hotrods!

Two visual cues to check: one, a 302's intake manifold is about 9" wide; a 351's is more like 11" (too lazy to walk out and measure mine at the moment ). Another is that a 351's water neck clears the water pump much more nicely. If you have to struggle with an open-end wrench when changing the thermostat, it's a 302.

Don't we have a sticky on this somewhere?

[DuceAnAHalf]

also with a 302 the head gasket almost touch the drivers side timing cover, where 351 sits over an inch above it

[87gtVIC]

Is this correct......."The 351 has a computer mounted on the drivers side inner fender"

If so that will be a very easy cue.

[Nathan in MI]

Yes.

[gadget73]

yeah, the MCU in the middle of the fender on the 351 cars is kind of obvious.