Ford 351 (5.8L) Windsor V-8

351W, 5.8L V-8 Engine Specs, History, & Info

The Ford Windsor engine (offered in several displacements) is considered one of the most successful Ford small blocks every produced. The Windsor engine family, amply named after the Windsor Engine Plant in Windsor, Ohio where they were originally manufactured, were introduced in 1962. The 351W itself was introduced in 1969, and earned a positive reputation for its strength, reliability, and durability. The engine's cylinder heads were designed to deliver a broad torque curve, compromising high rpm horsepower. Electronic fuel injection replaced carburetion for the 351W in 1988. The 351 Windsor was available in the Ford F-150 up to 1997, when it was replaced by the Ford Modular V-8. The engine has an identical 4.00" cylinder bore as the 302 cid V-8, but with a longer 3.50" stroke.

Ford 351W V-8 Specs

Engine:

Ford 351W V-8 (5.8L)

Engine Family:

Ford Windsor

Production Plant:

Windsor, Ohio until 1969, Cleveland, Ohio from 1969 to 1997

Configuration:

90° V-8

Displacement:

351 cid, 5.8 liters

Firing Order:

1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

Engine Block Material:

Cast iron

Cylinder Head Material:

Cast iron

Deck Height:

9.480" until 1971, 9.503" from 1971 to 1997

Cylinder Bore:

4.00"

Cylinder Stroke:

3.50"

Compression Ratio:

Varied - as high as 11.0 : 1 in 1969, as low as 8.8 : 1 once emissions regulations were introduced in 1971

Aspiration:

Naturally aspirated

Valvetrain:

Hydraulic lifter camshaft, 2v per cylinder, roller lifters were introduced in 1994

Ignition:

Standard distributor

Engine Oil Capacity:

6 qts w/ filter

Peak Horsepower:

• 1969 - 250 hp w/ 2 barrel carburetor, 300 hp @ 5,400 rpm w/ 4 barrel carburetor
• 1972 (net power ratings adopted) - 153 hp w/ 2 barrel, 161 hp w/ 4 barrel
• 1997 - 205 hp (CA version), 210 hp @ 3,600 rpm
• Ford Lightning - 240 hp @ 4,200 rpm

Peak Torque:

• 1969 - 380 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm w/ 4 barrel carburetor
• 1997 - 325 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm, 330 lb-ft @ 2,600 rpm (CA)
• Ford Lightning - 340 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm

• For 1975, Ford switched block castings for the 351W; the 1969-1974 blocks are stronger and more desirable.
• In 1990, the rear main seal was changed from a 2 piece design to a single.
• The 351W has the same bellhousing and motor mounts as the 289/302 Windsor V-8.
• The 351 "Clevor" was made famous by performance enthusiasts, who installed the free flowing heads of a 351 Cleveland on the stronger 351 Windsor block.