351 windsor in a 65

[65cali]

Does anybody know if a 351w will fit in a 65 comet without a lot of major changes? Will it hit the shock towers? Will factory exhaust manifolds work or would I need custom shorty headers? I'm not committed to anything yet ,just tossing around some ideas. I'm thinking about using the gt40p heads if that makes any difference.Anybody have any experience with this?photos? thanks Cecil

[lavron]

I bet it will be tight, but bet it will fit.

Someone can probably tell you what kind of headers you would need and if you would have to massage the shock towers any.

See Ya,
Mike

[supercomet]

run long tubes, the shorties get in the way with the steering column. it will fit, be a bit tight and you will have to adjust accordingly with the clearances but all will fit well.

[65CycloneFTW]

It will fit. There is a lot of discussion on this modification at Comet-List, and you can get headers at Crites, along with other parts to help with this install.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Comet-List/
http://www.critesrestoration.com/comet.htm

[supercomet]

that second site is Awsome, thanks for the post.

[65cali]

Thanks guys. I really don't want to mess with my shock towers right now. Maybe down the road a bit. I was just thinking that if it would fit without any tampering, why not. A healthy 5.0 will have to suffice.
CECIL

[cyclone67]

65 you could save alot of money by running the 69 short deck 351w and not have to dump the coin for the gt 40 heads use that to have a body shop narrow the towers

[65cali]

I didn't know there was such a thing as a short deck 351. Sounds like it might be kinda hard to find one. Tell me more.

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

The 351 fits well.A good friend has been running this combo for 15 years!He had custom headers built,but other than that it bolts in.If you use Gt40 heads on any small block you will have header problems with spark plugs,.I run a 347 stroker,makes plenty of power without the weight penalty of a 351.There are two deck height 351s,9.2"&9.5,289&302 are 8.2".I hope this helps.Roy.

[cyclone67]

the short deck 351w is casting code C9VE as well as c9ve cyl heads had bigger valves and larger ports.

[supercomet]

what if he just shaved the deck? would that change whatever 351 to that short deck or is that too much to shave?

[cyclone67]

i could be shaved that far but the casting deck thickness might not allow it and shaving it that thin would promote bore shift leading to some realy ugly problems

[supercomet]

what about shaving the deck a bit and then the heads a bit. would up the compression quite a bit but might be able to drop that height enough.

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

The only difference is 9.2"verses 9.5",You can hardly tell the difference.Edelbrock lists two different manifolds for each deck height but I have been running an early performer on a late block for over 200,000 miles!You DO NOT have to shave the towers to put a 351 in your Comet,it helps but is not necessary.Roy.

[64COMET]

GT40 heads shouldn't be a problem, as far as the spark plug angle go they are the same as any other stock small block head. The GT40-P heads ( off the explorers ) have a spark plug angle that is different than any other ford head. finding headers for the "P" heads will be a problem.