Specifications for a 351 Windsor Engine
by Paul NovakProduced from 1969 to 1996, the Ford 251 Windsor was based on the smaller 302 engine design and was originally intended for use in passenger cars. In following years, the 351 was added to trucks, and versions were installed as marine engines as well. Several design changes took place during their production that were meant to improve the engine's efficiency and performance as well as reduce emissions, but the engine's core design remained unchanged.
Basics
The 351 Windsor engine first appeared in 1969 and is based on a 90-degree V8 design that utilizes an overhead valve train. This design uses hydraulic lifters and is operated by a camshaft located in the center of the engine block. As the name implies, the Windsor’s total cylinder volume displaces 351 cubic inches.
Power
The 351 Windsor in stock form creates 380 pound-feet of torque at 3,400 rpm and 300 base horsepower. Torque and horsepower ratings for later versions vary depending upon their intended applications and emissions requirements.
Firing order
The firing order for the 351 Windsor is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 with the No. 1 cylinder located on the right side of the engine at the front. This firing order is different from the rest of Ford Motor Co.'s small-block engines.
Bore/Stroke
The cylinder bore size for the 351 is 4.00 inches. The stroke, which is the length of travel for the piston in its cylinder bore, is 3.50 inches.
Oil
The oil pressure rating for the 351 Windsor ranges from 35 psi at idle to 60 psi under load.
Crankshaft
The crankshaft design of the 351 Windsor uses two bolts to secure each main bearing cap to its saddle. The crankshaft has 3-inch diameter main journals and 2.311-inch rod journals, and is made from cast iron.
Casting Material
The engine block, intake manifold and cylinder heads are made of cast iron, with the block, manifold and heads contributing to a total average engine weight of 510 lbs. The intake manifold on the 1969-76 351 Windsor is held to the cylinder heads with 16 bolts. Later performance versions sometimes used aluminum intake manifolds.
References
Writer Bio
Paul Novak is a freelance writer specializing in Web content creation. He has owned his own business for seven years, and has for 10 years written on a variety of subjects from politics to the paranormal. His articles critical of paranormal claims have appeared in "Xproject" magazine and "Ufoevidence."
