V8 Conversion Information

If you have a tired 289 or 302 or need more horsepower and torque, the 351 Windsor is the way to go. You may get better mileage with a Windsor than a stock 289/302 due to more torque and lower RPM. A 351 Cleveland doesn’t have enough low range torque for four wheeling. Clevelands require very expensive custom radiator, headers and exhaust. Hard to find 100+ octane gas is also necessary. So, unless you intend to drag race at 5,000 to 8,500 rpm, a Windsor will out perform, out pull, out climb, and get better mileage than a Cleveland.

A 69-70 2V or 4V Windsor is best, a 4V having 10.5:1 compression or a 2V, 9.5:1. Before you swap, see if the 351 has a 3 bolt harmonic bal-ancer. If it has a 4 bolt, you’ll need a 3 bolt harmonic balancer for a 69 Windsor. If you can’t find a 3 bolt, you can use a 302, 3 bolt balancer by re-marking the timing marks. Reuse your 302 water pump, pulleys, belts, etc. using the power steering adapter bracket #3160 & alternator bracket #3161.
The 351W rear main is larger, so the stock 302 pan won’t work. An Oil Pan Kit, #3103, is needed to clear the front differential. Most Windsors have the sump in front which is bad for four wheeling. Your engine could run out of oil as you’re climbing a hill! Our pan has a rear sump. Even with this pan, to avoid damage, your Bronco must be lifted 2- 3 1/2”.

To complete the conversion, our Headers are designed to take into consideration the extra 1 1/2” height of the heads. They don’t rub the firewall and if you need to remove the starter, you can leave our headers in place. CAUTION: Don’t try to use your 6 cyl transmission with the V8. There are several problems and it’s not strong enough to handle the power.

SWAPPING A 6 CYL FOR A 302/5.0L or 351W: You’ll need:

V8 Oil Pans These pans are necessary to clear the differential when converting to a 289/302 or 351W. Both are rear sump pans, and require mods to work with taller-than-stock oil pumps. #3103 contains new pan, pickup tube & screen, dipstick & tube, and main bearing bolt. #3642 doesn’t include dip stick or tube. Shown in blue, comes black. #3103 351W Oil Pan, $219.00 #3642 289/302/5.0L Oil Pan, $199.00

Power Steering, Alternator Adapters These brackets attach the 302 alternator and power steering pump to the 351W heads. They retain stock 302 mounts and use the same belts and pulleys. #3160 Power Steering Adapter, $16.50 #3161 Alternator Adapter, $16.50

Motor Mounts 6 cyl. mounts must be torched off and these (#3115) V8 brackets installed in a new location. New rubber mounts (#3114) with safety pins are needed to prevent radiator damage from engine movement. #3114 Rubber Engine Mounts, $45.00 #3115 Motor Mount Brackets, $79.00

Performance Pulleys Having trouble finding pulleys when converting engines or adding power steering? We’ve solved these problems with these high performance pulleys that are machined from billet aluminium for reduced weight and are underdriven to increase horsepower. Sets include crank, water pump & alternator. Also sold individually, please call. Shown clear powdercoated, finish may vary, please call for info. #3380 3 Bolt Set, pass inlet, (normal), $299.00 SALE: $209.30!

3231 NW Park Dr., Knoxville, TN 37921 Phone: 1-865-938-6696 7am-3pm M-F West Coast 10am-6pm M-F East Coast Fax: 1-865-938-6746 24 Hours