So I see that a stock 351 is only rated for about 10 more horse than a stock 302, talking back in the 80's at least. So the general question is, is it worth swapping a CFI to a 351?
I have an 85 with a CFI 302 that has low miles(75k) but I'm sure the PO helped take years off its life by running around without coolant in it(at least it had none in it when I picked it up and she said she had driven it short distances after a bunch of smoke came out one of the wheel-wells, I got a really good deal) I have not done a compression test yet to see if its life was just shortened or if I need to address it immediately. If I need to address it immediately then my decision will be made and I'll pick up a running 302 and put it in for now and rebuild my current 302 to have more power. It seems to be running ok though so I don't think that is the case. So if I have some time I'd like to pick up a rebuildable engine and start building it the way I want it.
Once I found out the CFI won't take me far I've decided eventually it will get a 4-barrel carb so then I was thinking if I do that I might as well go to a 351. But then I saw the 351's have barely anymore stock power than a 302. With that in mind and the fact that the 351 is heavier I started to wonder if a 351 was even worth it. I would like to end up with a fun car to drive, it doesn't need to be anything extreme but I also need low end power since I plan to tow my camper with it. I will be changing the engine from stock so I'm more curious if the 351 has enough added potential that it would be worth the swap.
I have an 85 with a CFI 302 that has low miles(75k) but I'm sure the PO helped take years off its life by running around without coolant in it(at least it had none in it when I picked it up and she said she had driven it short distances after a bunch of smoke came out one of the wheel-wells, I got a really good deal) I have not done a compression test yet to see if its life was just shortened or if I need to address it immediately. If I need to address it immediately then my decision will be made and I'll pick up a running 302 and put it in for now and rebuild my current 302 to have more power. It seems to be running ok though so I don't think that is the case. So if I have some time I'd like to pick up a rebuildable engine and start building it the way I want it.
Once I found out the CFI won't take me far I've decided eventually it will get a 4-barrel carb so then I was thinking if I do that I might as well go to a 351. But then I saw the 351's have barely anymore stock power than a 302. With that in mind and the fact that the 351 is heavier I started to wonder if a 351 was even worth it. I would like to end up with a fun car to drive, it doesn't need to be anything extreme but I also need low end power since I plan to tow my camper with it. I will be changing the engine from stock so I'm more curious if the 351 has enough added potential that it would be worth the swap.
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