Not really a 5.0, but have a 351 question.

[Shadrack]

Is $150 for a 351W "Mexican" block a good price? The owner also has the rods and crank if needed.

Thinking this could possibly be a stroker project for my Stang. Would this be a good starting point, or can I find a motor/block cheaper if I look around some more and be patient? The owner is in my hometown, so I can just go pick it up.

Opinions?

 

[jerryD]

are you sure it is a mexican block? or is he just saying it is? i dunno if the 351 was ever made down south. it could be, but i dunno. get the casting #'s off of the block. if it was made in mexico, there will be a casting on there saying "Hecho en Mexico" like the 302 blocks or something like that. otherwise $150 sound high to me for just a bare block that you are gonna have to take to the machine shop anyways. maybe offer like $50 for it.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I've never heard of a Mexican block 351W, ever.

 

[Shadrack]

hmmmm.....

 

[Shadrack]

I asked the owner and he is 100% sure that it is a Mexican block. Also, it comes with the crank and rods. $150..... worth it?
He is getting me the casting numbers this evening.

Here was his reply.
"Im 100% Sure its a Mexican block, has the "Hencho in Mexico" stamped in the lifter valley.......... I dont have the numbers on me right now no, but I will tell you the numbers on it come out to a pre-77 block that was most likely used in the big cars, I.e police crusiers and such. "

 

[Sicarius428]

If it is a true mexican block in good shape that is a great deal. They are able to handle some good HP for a stock block. Here is a writeup on some comparisons for the Mexican block. http://www.turbomustangs.com/smf/index.php?topic=23254.0
Kevin

 

[lwtchlx]

thats a great article ive only read the first 3 pages and now im searching for a mexician block for my turbo fox body project

 

[broncobuddha]

In either case, Mexican block or no, as long as it is for sure a 351w, with or without crank or rods, $150 is a good deal for just a windsor block. Assuming it's in good shape.

 

[soontobefastfox]

In either case, Mexican block or no, as long as it is for sure a 351w, with or without crank or rods, $150 is a good deal for just a windsor block. Assuming it's in good shape.

+1 but it can look like it is in "good shape" but it may have small cracks that only a magnaflux or other test can detect, so I'm just warning you, but for 150 you cant go too wrong, just get it tested before you do anything.

 

[Shadrack]

Is there any way to tell 100% sure that this engine is a 351? I know casting numbers, but I don't have them. What are some obvious differences that the 351 has that the 302 doesn't? (I've never seen two bare blocks side by side) I'm going to look at this block Saturday. Anyone got any suggestions?
If it is a real 351 Mexican Block is that a rare block to get ahold of? Any better than the normal 351 block?

Thanks.

 

[86bluecobra]

strongest 351w blocks are 69 and 70's then till 1974 i believe they were high nickle content blocks which are very strong. the only problem is these are 2 piece rear main seal blocks. tend to leak easier. another problem is they are not roller blocks but there are retro fit roller lifter kits for them. thats about all i know. and i have also never heard of mexician 351w. the windsor stands for where they were originally made in windsor canada.

 

[jerryD]

bout the only way i know to tell the diff is that the deck width it wider than a 302. get some pics and post em up. i wanna see this block.

 

[Shadrack]

I have the block now. Don't have any pics yet. The casting number is.

77AY-6015-AA

Has a 4.000" bore (using mic). Needs to be bored (rusted), hot tanked and magnafluxed. It has "Hencho En Mexico" in the lifter valley, and has the thick main caps. Also the deck width measured much wider than a 302 block, although I forgot the exact measurement.

Could someone decode the casting number? The previous owner says it was a Factory Ford 351 reproduction block that was cast in Mexico (like a factory replacement engine). That was what he found on the engine. I'm baffled to what it really is!!

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Its just a bare block, right? If its a 351W, it will have 3.00" crank mains. An easy way to tell from the front is if the crank bearing is as about a big as the lower timing gear, its a 351W. It would be interesting if you have a true "Mexican block" 351W. As for the casting number, the first two characters should start with a letter followed by a number.

Need pics too.

 

[vristang]

I have never heard of a mexican 351w either.
I am doubtful, but curious.

My Spanish is rusty, but isn't it supposed to be "Hecho En Mexico"
Is the "Hecho..." stamped into the lifter valley, or casted in?

Check the width/stroke of the block.
If this really is a mexican block, I would suspect that it is really a 302.

Still, if this is just some plain Jane 302, the price is reasonable.

The casting number that I am familiar with would start with a C or a D for a 60s or 70s block.

jason

 

[Shadrack]

It says "Hecho in Mexico" in the lifter valley, prolly a typo on my part. I'll take a closer look when I get home to see if it is stamped/casted in.

The casting number definatley DOES NOT start with a letter. That is the correct casting number on the block I doubled and tripled checked. The main cap has 19K7 6329-AM stamped on the bottom. I got it for $50

 

[Shadrack]

With the main caps on the block (with no bearings) the diameter is 3 1/8". With bearings, it will be almost exactly 3". Does that mean it is a 351?

Also the Hecho En Mexico is cast into the block. It looks almost like a plate, but it is cast into the block from the looks of it.

 

[5.0Droptop]

whered you find that casting number?

Is it from the passinger side of block above where the starter would be?

 

[Shadrack]

Got the number from the starter location. I'm going to try my best to get pics up tonight, bare with me. Does anyone know the the dementions should be for a bare 351 block, what about a 302 block?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

With the main caps on the block (with no bearings) the diameter is 3 1/8". With bearings, it will be almost exactly 3". Does that mean it is a 351?

Also the Hecho En Mexico is cast into the block.

Yes, 3.00" mains = 351W. 351M/400s also had 3.00" mains, but the block is easy to tell from from a Windsor.

As for the funky casting number and "hecho en Mexico", all I can think of is maybe a service replacement block, not OEM.

A Mexican 302 has these wierd bosses on the front as well as "hecho en mexico" in the valley.