Where is the casting number on a 351 Windsor block?

[1fastfamilyman]

My friend just bought a Jeep to play around with, and it has a 351 in it, and he was wanting to find out more about it. The guy he bought it from said it's a late 70's block, and that's really all he knows about it.

[Tungsten]

Passenger side, rear of the block down near where the starter would be when mated up to a transmission.

[1fastfamilyman]

Excellent....thank you sir. :)

[BenS]

If its an M, use it as a boat anchor.

[Tungsten]

Here's more than you probably wanted to know...

The year will be designated by the first 2 digits of the casting number.
The first digit is the decade and will be a letter. C=1960's, D=1970's, E=1980's, and so on. The second digit will be a number and specifies the year of the decade. Some examples follow:
D1=1971
E9=1989
F4=1994



Getting Into the Nitty-Gritty

The 351w Engine Block -
69-70 - High Nickel content and thicker main webs (These are the only Production Ford 9.480" Deck Height 351w blocks)
71-74 - Reduced Nickel content thinner main webs (71-up had 9.503" Deck Height)
75-91 - Reduced main web thickness
92-On - Lifter Bores were lengthened to accept roller lifters

There were some 351w Mexican blocks as well. These are desirable due to their higher nickel contents. A Mexican block can be identified by the useless looking knobs cast into the block on either side of the timing cover. Mexican blocks were supposedly used on some US vehicles, but they are a very rare find.

Camshaft-
The specs of the cam will depend mostly on what your goals are for the motor. Cam spec selection is way beyond the scope of this FAQ. What you want to watch out for is selecting the correct base circle for the lifter combination and using the stock 302 HO firing order (since you are most likely reusing the stock 302 computer).

69-91 351w blocks -
Option 1) Standard Base Circle Cam / Aftermarket Linked Bar Hydraulic Roller Lifters
Option 2) Small Base Circle Cam / 302 HO Roller Lifters

92 & Later 351w blocks -
The Standard Base Circle Cam can be used with 302 HO Roller Lifters.
A Small Base Circle Cam is not needed in these blocks.
(The 92 and later "roller" blocks will have a F4TE casted into the block near the starter)

[1fastfamilyman]

that's exactly what we wanted to know David.......THANKS!!! :D

[COSWORTH]

Mid 94 and later on the roller blocks.