Ford 351 Windsor V8 Engine

The Ford 351 Windsor was first introduced in 1969 and was quite a breakthrough in regards to the ways Ford produced its V8 engines. When Ford introduced the 302 to replace the 289 the engines were very similar and even used the same pistons.

The 351 Windsor was in a league of its own because of its heightened deck block, larger connecting rods and much “beefier” main bearing caps. It also had a very distinct firing order that was nothing similar to the standard Ford V8 firing order of 15426378.

The first years of the 351 Windsor engines were quite impressive with horsepower ratings reaching into the 300 range. The 351 Windsor engines that were produced from 1969 to 1974 are generally considered to be much better than the later 351s. This is due to the fact that there was more metal used in the blocks during this time period and the heads and valves were much larger. But like any engine during the 70s, the 351 Windsor was eventually tuned down to meet emission standards and when the 1973 Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line the maximum horsepower had only a pathetic rating of 156.