the great debate, 351 vs 302

[88SXT]

ok before anyone yells about the search bar and questions already being asked,... i searched it and didnt find anything helpful so im asking again

im buying a 302 and a 351w, guy offered me a deal if i get both of them out of his garage and i figure i can sell which ever one i dont use later,...

88 ranger stx, 4x4 single cab, 6in lift 33in tires (not sure how much of that matters to ya'll but i figured it'd help)
both motors are complete (heads and all) and both ran when pulled from their donor vehicles,... transmission is staying manual bc i refuse to drive an automatic, while more convinenent, i still prefer stick.

so, who can help me decide wich block is more worth it?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

302- Eaiser to swap in, less torque, around the same MPG.
351- Mildly harder to swap in (its wider), tons of torque (compared to 302), and maybe 3 mpg less.

Seems like a no brainer to me.

later,
Dustin

 

[88SXT]

hell the current 2.9 is in suck rough shape i only get 13mpg hwy at best, and it tops out at 65, going downhill, 70-75 if there is a stiff tail wind

from what i understand the 351w close to the same width as a 302, slightly wider but not enough to make it too much of a PITA to drop in

 

[88SXT]

plus the 3in of body lift will help w the height issue

 

[Teddyzee]

The issue is headers.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

What year and application are both engines? That makes a huge difference.

With 3.73's and 31's my '87 roller non-ho 302 scoots along just fine. I do plan to up the power of it more out of curiosity than anything. See just how much of a difference an HO cam and maybe a different set of roller rockers would make.

IMO a 302 fits nice, has enough power for most Rangers and an ample aftermarket to correct any shortcomings.

 

[88SXT]

headers wont be too bad, i have access to a tubing bender, and multiple types of welders, plus have a decent amount of metal-fab experience. i was planning on custom making the headers anyway.

 

[baddad457]

Your drivetrain will have a hard enough time dealing with the 302's torque. No point in doing a 351 unless you upgrade the rest of the drivetrain too. You can also do a 347 with the 302 and have the same output as the 351 in a smaller package. But it's your money and your truck.

 

[RangerSVT]

One question that will make a difference in your choice, and was not asked, is what do you plan to do with the truck??
SVT

 

[purplehaze]

If you was racing, I would say junk the 302 block and go for the windsor. But, since your just 4x4ing and won't be wanting 500hp+, just drop in the 302 and be done with it.

 

[88SXT]

i plan on mostly off-roading, the only racing will be the occasional mud drags, but i still want it to be reliable on the street too.

as for the rest of the rest of the drive train, i pan on completely swapping that too, most likely a T5, not sure what ill be going with for a tranfer case tho.

 

[baddad457]

The T-5 won't be much of an upgrade with either of the motors unless it's been beefed up too.

 

[projectnitemare]

A lot will depend on the years of engines you have but I will vote a 351. As long as you are willing to deal with the extra problems. The engine fitment isn't too much of an issue, it's everything else. Don't get me wrong you can drop one in and find factory manifolds that will work with no fitment issues at all, I've done it. It turns pretty sour once you actually do some good engine work. Headers are guranteed to be custom (or top dollar from a few companies), no 351 had a factory 5 speed other than the ZF, you can use a T18, T19, or an NP435 but you loose overdrive. I'll leave the top loader out on this being it would need adapted or use a divorced t-case. I'm personally going back to a C6 I'm tired of breaking stuff. Still that stuff is minor compared to all the other crap you will eventually break, driveshafts, axle shafts, u-joints, leaf springs, twist the frame will all happen if you are making good power. That's what 500hp will do to these trucks. It's a snowball effect but worth it. All swaps have their issues. The 302 has good aftermarket support for a swap, the 351 not so much. Either way you do it the truck will be fun.

Matt

 

[88SXT]

thanks for all the advice so far, as i said, im getting a steal on these motors ans i already have multiple potential buyers for whichever one i dont use,

 

[88SXT]

ok the 302 is out of a 1990 f-150, the 351 is apparently early 70's but supposedly low mileage,