I am looking at buying a 95 Ford F150 4x4 with a 351. I am familiar with the 302 but i havent had any experience with the 351. Can anyone help compare the power, reliability, and gas mileage of the two engines. I've heard the 302 is faster, but the 351 has more torque. The factory horsepower and torque ratings would also be helpful. Also could someone who has a 351 tell me the common problems if any. Thanks.

 

Your right about the horsepower/torque comparison. Both engines are great, they are reliable and have a ton of aftermarket parts available for them. The windsor will use slightly more gas simply because it is a larger engine. If i had the choice i would take the windsor. After a few months with the 302 you will want more power anyways. And with the windsor it is very easy to modify it to make over 500 horsepower.

-Jon

 

Bigger is better go with the 351.

 

another vote for the 351. theres no replacement for displacement.

 

Just a little side note: both the 302 and the 351W are "Windsor" engines. They both belong to the same family. The only reason why many people call it the "351 Windsor" is to distinguish it from the 351 Cleveland and the 351M. There is only 1 302, so that's why there is no need to call it the 302 Windsor.

I own a 302 and I wish I had a 351. I don't know about the 302 being "faster", but I do know it has a lot less torque.

302 numbers: Peak hp w/ speed density 185
Peak hp w/ mass air 205
Peak tq w/ speed density 270 ft/lbs
Peak tq w/ mass air 275 ft/lbs

351 numbers: Peak hp 210
Peak tq 315 ft/lbs

As you can see, the 351 has a 25 hp advantage, and a 45 ft/lb torque advantage. If you plan on doing any towing or hauling at all, definitely go with the 351. The 302 engine is fine if you plan on leaving it stock and mainly want to do light hauling and cruising around. The better gas mileage will be appreciated and you can get plenty of aftermarket parts to increase horsepower. They are about equal as far as reliability is concerned, since they are very similar overall. It just depends on what your needs are. Also you mentioned that you want a 4x4. If you plan on lifting it all and putting big tires on, I would also recommend going with the 351. I have 35" muds on my truck now and it bogs some on the freeway. It's fine around town since I have 4.10 gears, but the faster I go, the more I notice the extra weight and wish I had a bigger powerplant.

 

They are both very reliable engines but won't come close to matching the durability of the 300 CID I-6. The 351 has noticably more power than the 5.0L, but the 351 has a reputation as being the worst small block gas pig on record.

 

The truth of the matter is that you're not going to get great gas mileage with either the 302 or the 351. I have a 302 in my truck, after looking long and hard for a 351 I just couldn't find one that wasn't in a truck that was falling apart... So I took a 302 that a widow traded in after her husband died. Clean truck.

Have been pulling about 5500 pounds of horses, equipment, and trailer on flat to rolling terrain. Usually pull in Overdrive unless it's really hilly and just live with the 3-5 mph speed decrease going uphill. Fixing to buy a 3-horse gooseneck that I'll pull with the truck--most of the time the weight will be the same, though--maybe 6000 pounds with 1 horse and all equipment.

Go with the 351 if you live in a hilly area or plan to tow much. I can't complain, though, about my 302, which is getting a chip and an exhaust before the new trailer arrives. It has been reliable (92,000 miles with no problems) and I have no doubt that it will last until I buy a diesel in 2-3 years.

Speaking of which, I've been VERY impressed with the truck overall. I don't think Ford makes 'em like they used to.


-Mike

 

I have a 93 SCwith the 5.8
I put 100,000 on it with a radiator replacement just as it turned.
I loved it. 100,000 and NO PROBLEMS . Then the tranny went ( Actually the torque started stumbling when under load in OD but no trouble on WOT burn out ) Overhaul was $2600 and I am not pleased with the results. This is going to be an unpleasant situation trying to get it resolved

Really liked how shutting the AC off or on could not be felt and how the Cruise Control was so smooth and constant with no problems on hills. Course it was only me and my wife and some luggage in the truck.
Had a Lincoln Town Car on lease once and couldn't believe how the cruise control was so much less smooth than my truck

 

The cruise on my '91 surges. Keeps speed well enough on small hills unless I'm pulling the trailer, though I do like how it will lose 3-5 mph rather than shift in an attempt to maintain speed when loaded on hills (I pull in OD most of the time.)

I figured quirky cruise control was just a standard option with these trucks.

 

I agree with Rick. The 300 was the best engine Ford ever put in an F-150. The 300ci Broncos sell for a grand more than the V8's, and with good reason.

Take care,
-Chris

 

My dad had the 302 in his '86with a 4 speed. It was a good engine but bigger is better. So when I found a '94 F-150 with the 351 inside, I snatched it up. The 351 is bigger, faster, stronger and a lot cooler sounding than the 302. But yes it sucks the gas but, I didn't by the truck for the gas mileage. My dad got 12-14 mpg with lower gearing and I get 12-14 if I am lucky. Both engines are great though. But if you had the chance, GO BIG.

 

What isa Waldoch conversion

 

Waldoch is an after martket company that buys trucks direct from the factory and customises them. My truck came from the factory Green with the XLT off-road package and the 351. Woldach put in Flexsteel seats, wood paneling and consol, towing package, Lund moon visor and full running boards. They top it all off with a tan and green paint scheme on the hood and sides of the truck. This whole deal adds a bit to the price. Expaect to pay 5 or 8K more. If you can find a used at the dealer they most likely won't figure in all the extras that make Woldochs different from all the other trucks on the road.

Waldoch is based in Minnesota, so I see a few hear in the cities but they are rare. 1 of 200 or so trucks I see are Waldachs, Sterling Coach or another type of after market company. Mostly they do vans, but at the State fair 2 years ago they had a lot more SUVs and trucks. Now they come with fiberglass hoods, leather, lift kits, TVs and DVD players!

The seats are the best! Anyone can add these to you truck for a better ride. The feel just like you favorite couch or recliner. I wish the web site could show more, but here it is.
http://www.waldoch.com/
Mohs

 

My dad had a 92 and a 94 F150's both with a 302 in them and they did great but like I said before bigger is better so if you can find a 351 and a good deal don't pass it up.

 

I have a 93 302, 89 300, and an 82 351 that I gave absolute hell in High school and it's sittin up now in need of a flywheel, but that's it, it's got over 200,000 and been in the fam since 85 and has been great, I think as far, the other two have also been great engines, I don't think that you can wrong with any of them, as long as you go Ford, you can't go wrong. Like they say, the best never rest. Yee Haw!