Ford Racing introduces new Boss 351 engine block
Drag racers, circle-track engine builders, street rodders and anybody else looking for an engine block capable of pumping out 600-plus horsepower have a new option: Ford Racing's new Boss 351 engine block. As befitting a powerplant from the Blue Oval, this new block will be able to accommodate a range of classic displacements from 351 to 427 to 460 cubic inches.
Based on the architecture of the popular Windsor 351 but blessed with the more robust 2.75-inch main bearings of the old Cleveland block, Ford designed the new Boss 351 block with strength in mind through 4-bolt main caps, screw-in freeze plugs, splayed main bolts, siamese bores with engineered coolant cross-drilling, front cross-over lifter oiling, and diesel-grade iron with 41,000 psi tensile strength.
Unlike many engine blocks designed solely for racing, the new Boss 351 features a street-capable cooling design and is therefore just as suitable for vehicles intended for cruise night at the local hangout as it is for the drag strip. Its $1,999 suggested retail price isn't going to break the bank, either. Full press release after the jump.
Gallery: Ford Racing Boss 351 block
[Source: Ford Racing]
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD RACING INTRODUCES NEW PERFORMANCE 351 BLOCK
Ford introduces all-new Boss 351 high-performance engine block for Ford enthusiast cars, including hot rods, street rods, race cars, and vintage Mustangs
Race ready and affordably priced, starting at $1999
DEARBORN, Mich., June 12, 2009 – Ford Racing follows the Boss 302 block released in 2006, with the new Boss 351 featuring performance and packaging that will accommodate displacements from 351 to over 460 cubic inches.
"Whether they're racing in a sealed-engine class, building an all-out drag racing engine, or looking for a street performer, the Boss 351 block meets the needs of all Ford 351 enthusiasts, at a price comparable with a performance-prepped stock block," Wolfe added.
The Boss 351 block is based on Windsor 351 architecture with a Cleveland sized 2.75" main bearing journal. Available in two deck heights, 9.2-inch and 9.5-inch, the Boss 351 is designed for performance with 4-bolt main caps, and screw-in freeze plugs. Technological improvements such as splayed main bolts, siamese bores with engineered coolant cross-drilling, front cross-over lifter oiling, and diesel-grade iron with 41,000 psi tensile strength separate the new Boss 351 from both stock and aftermarket blocks.
Max stroke is up to 4.25" depending on crankshaft manufacturer with max bore size topping out at 4.125" with coolant cross drilling. A non cross-drilled block with increased bore capacity will be available by 3rd quarter.
The new Boss 351 is built from all new tooling and incorporates technical developments compiled by Ford Racing engineers and racers. This new block is expected to see wide use in circle-track racing, from NASCAR Late Models to Dirt Modifieds and Late Models.
"Enthusiasts are making big power, 600, even 700 hp, the Boss 351 meets their demand for a reliable, high power foundation." says Wolfe. "Race-specific blocks offer the strength required, but cool poorly for street use and are very expensive for the average enthusiast. The new Boss 351 block features greater strength than most race blocks, a street-capable cooling design, and affordable pricing due to high-volume production. High-volume production also leads to the improved quality and durability you would expect from any Ford block."
Affordably priced to get enthusiasts' hearts pumping, suggested retail price for the Boss 351 block is $1,999. A Boss 351-based crate engine with 427cid is expected to be available by the fourth quarter of 2009. For more information on these engines and other Ford Racing Performance Parts, visit: HYPERLINK "http://www.fordracingparts.com" www.fordracingparts.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
waiownsyou 1:56PM (6/13/2009)
Nice price. Now if only I knew how to make an engine or how an engine works at all...
Reply
AC0 2:03PM (6/13/2009)
Aye, how can you read about cars without wanting to know what makes then go in the first place? This should get you started :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_cycle
Jake B 3:23PM (6/13/2009)
It also really helps having a car to exclusively tool on. Constantly tinkering with a daily driver isn't really a good idea. Don't set your sights too high on your first project car. Let it be something that is cheap to own and cheap to work on, thus providing cheap fun.
ambientFLIER 7:10PM (6/13/2009)
Nice. Now if I only knew what an engine is. It's some kind of cake, right?
Redeemed 12:18PM (6/14/2009)
At least you are honest. Not like some here who claim to know everything and still are living off mommy and daddy.
Christian de Saint Preux 2:31PM (6/13/2009)
Looks like a Chevrolet engine....
Reply
bifs66 3:08PM (6/13/2009)
Chevrolet V8 Ford V8
Block
17 head bolt pattern____________________10 head bolt pattern
Bore spacing 4.40"______________________Bore spacing 4.38"
Thrust bearing #5________________________Thrust bearing #3
Internal balanced________________________External balanced
Camshaft floating________________________Camshaft located by thrust plate
Distributor:
Rear mounted__________________________Front mounted
Spins clockwise_________________________Spins counter clockwise
Mounted on intake manifold_______________Mounted on block
Fuel Pump:
Mounted on right side____________________Mounted on left side
Mounted on block_______________________Mounted on front cover
Activated by in-block push rod_______________Activated by cam eccentric
Lubrication:
Rear mounted oil pump and Sump__________Front mounted oil pump and sump
Tang driven oil pump_______________________Hex shaft driven oil pump
Front Cover:
Stamped steel__________________________Cast aluminum
(no other function)______________________Mounts fuel pump
Water Pump:
Mounts to block_________________________Mounts on front cover
Yaroukh 3:15PM (6/13/2009)
yes, it has cylinders too ;)
Matt 4:12PM (6/13/2009)
"Looks like a Chevrolet engine...."
But won't be near as good!
why not the LS2LS7? 4:17PM (6/13/2009)
To be fair, almost none of those differences is noticeable (or even exists) on a bar block pictured here, much of it isn't even on a short block. The 10 bolt pattern being a notable exception.
Willem B 4:49PM (6/13/2009)
lol. pwned!
Christian de Saint Preux 4:53PM (6/13/2009)
How I said it... "looks like".
With the shape where the heads go I could almost see installing my LTx intake manifold and with the splayed caps and everything... Same thing I have on my LT4.
So again... Looks like... And yes.. i did notice the head bolt pattern right off the bat. I was still remembering that guy who installed LSx heads onto a ford block.
Take care.
Joe 11:13PM (6/13/2009)
Another day, another Ford post, another doucher remark from Matt. Great job, being the biggest asshat on Autoblog.
Matt 12:08PM (6/14/2009)
The truth bothers you that much 'eh Joe?
Tell me, what is the small block engine of choice for the FORD hot Rods built by people...like Tim Allen on Home Improvement?
Oh...right...is a CHEVY small block.
Paul P. 5:14PM (6/14/2009)
Matt, originally the choice engine for hotrods was Ford flathead V8's, usually Mercury flatheads. They ruled from the early 30's to the 50's, as they were the easiest way to make good power on the cheap.
When Chevy came out with their smallblock, it was discovered that it was the right size to fit in between the frame rails of Ford roadsters. At roughly the same time, Ford/Lincoln came out with their Y-blocks, but they were a bit too big to fit between the frame rails without modification. Therefore, most people used the Chevy block as their new choice engine. This was especially true in the 60's when it was easy to get a 327 block, throw corvette fuelie heads on them, and make plenty of power for cheap.
That has carried on to today, where it's easy and cheap to get a junkyard or crate 350, throw it in, and be done with it. It's not quite as cheap and easy with the SBF's, as the 351 is a larger overall engine. However, the 302 will work easily and has also become a very popular choice.
Mike 10:18AM (6/15/2009)
The head bolt pattern and distibutor hole are the obvious signs it's a Ford block and not a GM one. The LSx heads also have the intake and exhaust ports reversed from the Ford ones so if a guy put on LSx heads, he also needed a custom intake and headers made for that conversion. I believe one of the write-ups on the LSx head swap on a Ford motor said something like Ford designed the heads or a Ford engineer designed them and either he went to GM or GM bought them when Ford when OHC. I've never heard that anywhere else but it's a nice urban legend.
jv2k 2:49PM (6/13/2009)
Cubic inches? I thought the english measurement for displacement got phased out in favor of liters...
Reply
Tourian 3:09PM (6/13/2009)
Not for old school muscle, which this engine is destined for. Cubic inches rule.
Farmboy 3:45PM (6/13/2009)
Cubic inches FTW!!!!!
Jesse Thoresen 10:07AM (6/14/2009)
They did, the rednecks are 30 years behind.