What is the bore stroke of a 351?
The standard bore is 4.000 inches and the stroke is 3.500 inches for the typical Ford 351 V8, producing 351 cubic inches of displacement. Some variants and special editions can differ, so verify the exact spec for a given engine.
The designation 351 refers to the engine’s displacement, not a single block design. In Ford’s lineup, two main 351 families are the Windsor and the Cleveland, both commonly built around a 4.000-inch bore and a 3.500-inch stroke in the standard configurations. Below is a concise breakdown of these popular variants and what they mean for bore and stroke.
Ford 351 Windsor (351W)
The Windsor family’s standard configuration for the 351W uses a 4.000-inch bore and a 3.500-inch stroke, yielding about 351 cubic inches of displacement. These engines were widely used in Mustangs, Broncos, and other Ford applications from the late 1960s onward. While performance variants exist, the basic bore/stroke remains 4.000 x 3.500 inches in the common 351W builds.
Ford 351 Cleveland (351C)
The Cleveland family also centers on a near-identical bore/stroke pairing in its primary 351C form: 4.000-inch bore and 3.500-inch stroke for the common 351 cu in configuration. The 351C was introduced alongside the Windsor and served in a range of Ford cars and trucks, with the 4.000 x 3.500-inch setup remaining the standard for most production versions.
Note: There are variations across different model years and special editions (and some rare factory configurations used slightly different bores), which can alter displacement by a small amount. For any given engine you should confirm by measuring the bore and stroke or checking the engine’s stamping/documentation.
Common variants at a glance:
- Ford 351 Windsor (bore 4.000 in, stroke 3.500 in)
- Ford 351 Cleveland (bore 4.000 in, stroke 3.500 in)
These two variants constitute the typical 351 size in the Ford lineup. While the standard bore and stroke are 4.000 x 3.500 inches, some atypical builds or market-specific editions may differ slightly, affecting exact displacement. Always verify the specific engine when precision is required for rebuilding or performance planning.
In summary, for the widely referenced 351 Ford V8s, expect a bore of 4.000 inches and a stroke of 3.500 inches, which together yield 351 cubic inches of displacement. When dealing with a particular engine, though, confirm the measurements to account for any variant or revision.
Summary: The conventional bore and stroke for the common Ford 351 engines are 4.000 inches and 3.500 inches, respectively. Variations exist in non-standard builds, so check the exact engine for precise specs.
Is a 351 stronger than a 302?
Just by looking at its crankshaft. Its main caps its webbing. And how much thicker and stronger the blocks are the 351 Windsor is stronger. It lacks the RPM that a 302 can produce. And therefore.
What is the stroke of a 351 Windsor?
A 351w "stroker" is a modified Ford 351 Windsor engine where a crankshaft with a longer stroke than the stock 3.500 inches is installed to increase the engine's total displacement and torque. Common stroker kits use crankshafts with strokes like 3.750", 3.850", or 4.000", resulting in displacements such as 383, 393, or 408 cubic inches respectively. These kits are popular for building engines that produce more low-end torque and overall power than a stock 351W, with the 4.000" stroke being a very popular and versatile option.
You can watch this video to learn about the 351w engine and its stroker configurations: 1mBullnoseGarageYouTube · Oct 26, 2020
Key aspects of a 351w stroker
- Stock vs. stroker: The stock 351 Windsor has a 3.500-inch stroke and a 4.000-inch bore, giving it a displacement of 351 cubic inches. A stroker engine uses a different crankshaft to increase the stroke, which in turn increases displacement and torque.
- Common stroker combinations:
- 383 ci: Achieved with a 3.750-inch stroke, balancing both top-end and bottom-end power.
- 393 ci: Uses a 3.850-inch stroke and is a very popular and versatile option.
- 408 ci: Created with a 4.000-inch stroke, resulting in a "square" engine configuration that offers a great balance of low-end torque and high-end power.
- Benefits: Stroker kits are designed to improve performance by increasing displacement, which leads to more horsepower and torque. The 408ci stroker, for example, is highly versatile and works well in a wide range of applications, from street to drag racing.
- Considerations: Building a stroker engine involves more than just the crankshaft. A complete rotating assembly, including forged pistons, connecting rods, and a balanced kit, is often required for high-performance applications. Some builds may also require other modifications like a different bore size or cylinder head work to accommodate the increased displacement and performance.
This video explains the key differences between 302 and 351w engines: 27sNeomustangsYouTube · Jan 12, 2025
Is a 5.8 the same as a 351?
Yes, a 5.8-liter engine is a 351 cubic inch engine, a common displacement for Ford's small-block V8s, often called the 351 Windsor. The "5.8L" designation is the metric equivalent of "351 ci" (cubic inches).
- Displacement: The "351" in the engine's name refers to its displacement of 351 cubic inches, while "5.8L" is the same volume converted to liters.
- Common engine: This engine is most famously known as the Ford 351 Windsor, produced from the late 1960s to 1996.
- Variants: It's important to note that Ford also produced other 351 cubic inch engines, such as the 351 Cleveland and 351M, which have different designs from the Windsor, though they share the same displacement.
What is the bore and stroke of a 289 Ford?
The Ford 289 engine has a bore of 4.004.004.00 inches and a stroke of 2.872.872.87 inches. This bore and stroke combination gives the engine a displacement of 289 cubic inches (4.7 liters). The 2.872.872.87-inch stroke is the same as the earlier 260 and is longer than the 2.872.872.87-inch stroke found in the 221 cubic inch engine.
You can watch this video to learn more about Ford 289 engine: 57sBullnoseGarageYouTube · Feb 13, 2025
- Bore: 4.004.004.00 inches
- Stroke: 2.872.872.87 inches
- Displacement: 289 cubic inches (4.7 L)
- Note: The 289's bore was increased from the earlier 260 engine, which had a 3.803.803.80-inch bore. The stroke remained the same as the 260.
