1979 351 Windsor: Worth Keeping??

[mherwick]

Hello I'm new to these forums.I have a question about 351 Windsor motors.

I have a 351 Windsor motor in my 1979 Mercury Cougar XR-7 and I'm wondering if it is worth my time to pull the motor before sending the car to the scrap yard (the car is too far gone to restore or do anything with). The car also has a FMX transmission. I'm trying to figure out whether it is worth pulling the motor and trans out of the car to either sell or for me to put in a future project.

Can someone give me a little history of these blocks? Is this a descent block? I've heard that earlier Windsor blocks are better but what years classify as earlier?

Also how does the transmission compare to C4/C6's for street/strip cars?

Does anyone know what rear ends came in these cars? 8.8 or 9 inch?

[jonmark1985]

69-73 351w's are more desirable. As easy as it is, I would yank the motor. You'll always find someone wanting a 351w that runs, they like to replace 302's with them.

The FMX is heavy, and not very desirable. I like to keep the bellhousing though.

Hop under the car and look, if the carrier pulls out the front of the rear end its an 8.8. If the rear cover is removable, then its not a 9.

[GalaxieJeff]

Hopefully it's not too late, pull the spindles too. They are a bolt on for '65 and up Galaxies wanting to swap to disc brakes.

[doug 351]

Originally Posted by mherwick

Hello I'm new to these forums.I have a question about 351 Windsor motors.

I have a 351 Windsor motor I'm trying to figure out whether it is worth pulling the motor and trans out of the car to either sell or for me to put in a future project.

Can someone give me a little history of these blocks? Is this a descent block? I've heard that earlier Windsor blocks are better but what years classify as earlier?

To me any 351W is worth keeping and /or building. The most sought after early blocks are the 69-71 for most purists, but they are decent blocks all the way to '74. 75-84 were the worst cast blocks, and then 85 and up are decent blocks again. But even the 75-84 blocks are strong enough to build serious HP, more than you'd probably use on the street and more than any 302.

[t5stang91]

i may be interested in the windsor engine if you pulled it and still have it. i know this post is old