1970 Mustang Engine Information – 351 cubic inch V-8 (5.8 L Windsor V8)
The 351 Windsor Engine
The 351 Windsor engine is an 8 cylinder, 90 degree, overhead valves (OHV) engine. It was introduced in 1969, and got its name from the Windsor Canada location of the Ford assembly plant that built them. There were two versions introduced in 1969, the 250 hp 2 barrel engine and the 290 hp 4 barrel version.
The only 351 engine that was manufactured with a dual point vacuum advance distributor was the Cleveland Boss & HO versions. All Windsor engines received the single point vacuum advance distributors. Accordingly, all Windsor engines had hydraulic lifters 2 bolt mains and all had cast iron intake manifolds.
The 1969 4bbl engine was destined to use premium leaded gasoline while all other 2 and 4 bbl versions only required regular gasoline.
Engine Basics
Year |
1970 |
1970 |
bbl |
2 |
4 |
Cylinders |
8 |
8 |
Displacement |
351 cu / 5.8 liters |
351 cu / 5.8 liters |
Power (hp) |
250 hp @ 4600 RPM |
300 hp @ 5400 RPM |
Torque (lb/ft) |
355 lb/ft @ 2600 RPM |
380 lb/ft @ 3400 RPM |
Compression |
9.5:1 |
11.4:1 |
Bore x Stroke |
4.00 x 3.50 |
4.00 x 3.50 |
Engine Specifications
Spark Plugs |
|
Oil filter |
|
Gas Filter |
|
Air Filter |
|
PCV |
|
Oil |
5 quarts of 10W30 or 10W40 |
Oil Pressure |
35 – 60 PSI |
Timing |
6 Degrees BTDC Manual & 12 Degrees BTDC Automatic |
Valve adjustment |
Cold |
Valve size |
|
Valve arrangement |
Right |
Manifold Vacuum |
17 inches at idle |
Warm Idle Manual Trans |
575-600 RPM |
Warm Idle Auto Trans |
500-525 RPM |
Carburetor CFM |
|
Bore and stroke |
|
Compression |
|
HP and Torque |
|
Taxable HP |
|
Distributor Rotation |
Clockwise |
Firing order |
1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 |
351 Windsor weight |
530 Pounds |
Engine Torque Specifications
All torque specifications provided in this table are those recommended by FORD. If you use special bolts, follow the torque specifications provided by the manufacturer. I recommend that you use the 3 step torque technique where you torque down the bolts in three equal steps. Once you have reached the maximum recommended torque setting, go around one more time. Do not torque in a circular pattern. Always torque cross to cross.
Head bolts |
95-100 (120 on Boss) |
main cap bolts |
95-105 |
Rod end bolts |
4–45 |
Intake bolts |
23-25 |
Exhaust manifold bolts |
18-24 |
Harmonic damper |
70-90 |
|
|
Engine fan |
|
|
|
Bellhousing bolts |
25 |
Trans to Bellhousing |
|
Flywheel to Crankshaft |
75-85 |
Oil pan bolts |
15 |
Valve cover bolts |
10 |
Carburetor mount bolts |
|
Oil pump |
25 |
Spark plugs |
|
Trans. inspection plate |
|
Water pump bolts |
25 |
Upper timing gear bolt |
45 |
Clutch pressure plate |
35 |
Camshaft thrust plate |
10 |
Oil pump pickup |
20 |
Crankshaft Bearing Journal Specifications
Main Bearing Journal (inches)
Journal Diameter |
2.2482 – 2.2490 |
Oil Clearance |
0.0005 – 0.0022 |
Shaft end play |
0.004 – 0.008 |
Thrust on number |
3 |
Connecting Rod Journals
Journal Diameter |
2.1232 – 2.1240 |
Oil Clearance |
0.008 – 0.0024 |
Side clearance |
0.003 – 0.010 |
Piston Ring Specifications
Comp Ring Width
Top |
0.0774 – 0.0781 |
Bottom |
0.0770 – 0.0780 |
Ring side clearance
Top |
0.0019 – 0.0036 |
Bottom |
0.0020 – 0.0040 |
Oil ring |
Snug |
Ring gap width
Top |
0.010 – 0.020 |
Bottom |
0.010 – 0.020 |
Oil Ring |
0.015 – 0.055 |
Piston Specifications
Code Red |
3.4982 – 3.4987 |
Code Blue |
3.4993 – 3.4999 |
0.003 Oversize |
3.5001 – 3.5005 |
Piston to Cyl. Bore clearance |
0.0014 – 0.0020 |
Piston Pin Bore Dia. |
0.9122 – 0.9125 |
Tune Up Specs
Year |
1970 4V |
1970 2V |
Spark Plug |
Autolite ARF-42 |
Autolite ARF-42 |
Plug Gap |
.032″-.036″ |
.035″ |
Dwell |
24-29 (manual), 26-31 (automatic) |
24-29 (manual), 26-31 (automatic) |
Point Gap |
.017″ |
.017″ |
Intake |
2.185″-2.195″ |
1.9025″-1.9175″ |
Exhaust |
1.7045″-1.7145″ |
1.533″-1.548″ |
Carburetor |
Autolite 4300-A (4V ) Squarebore auto choke |
Autolite 2300-A (2V) Automatic choke |
Hello, That is a fine website with a well organized layout with great info & photos!
I’ve rebuilt Ford 302, 351-w, 351-c, 351-m and the 400. Right now I’m redoing my 351-w to go back into my 71 ranchero. I’m getting older and doing the all the work needed for engine/transmission, body and paint, interior, custom dash and wiring, etc. is turning out to be a big job! Anyway I was wondering if you have come across the oil squirt holes on the upper sides of some earlier 351-w rods? I forgot to check their orientation when I disassembled the engine and had new pistons put on the rods. So my squirt holes could be on the wrong side and I was hoping to find a ford manual that shows beyond a question of doubt what their orientation should be? I have found various info on the web that is all over the place on this, but it seems to me that the holes should point towards the crank. (which is opposite of where mine are now)
Thanks for any info, Bob
So much wrong. Dizzy spins counter clockwise, and mains are 3″, not 2.2482 – 2.2490.