Hey guys,

I am toying with the idea of doing a swap from the 5.0 on a 95 mustang to a 351 windsor.

I found a pretty good deal on an engine out of a 92 E-350 Econoline, the only issue is it has 290,000 kms. It still runs though.

Is it necessarily bad to have high kms on the block for a higher hp application or would it be a safer route to get a new(er) engine block?

 

If the engine block checks out to be good,it will be fine to use as a base of your build.

 

A 351 swap is a great idea, but you've got to realize that there are certain things that will need to go along with the swap to utilize your accessories and also to clear the engine. You need specific headers and intake manifold, you'll need different mounts for the accessories, depending on what you want to keep, and you'll probably have to get a taller hood to clear the new engine.

Unfortunately, with a higher mileage motor, you will definitely need a rebuild but you will have to crack open the motor to find out exactly what needs to be done. I would definitely at least PLAN for boring the motor .030", get some forged pistons, new rings, plan to cut the crank but that you'll have to find out when you take it apart so you can order the right bearings, stick a new *mild* camshaft in there with new lifters (depending on the rest of your combo), Lightning lower intake with an Explorer upper, 24# injectors and matching maf, and you could have a budget 351 that can be built up later on. The stock heads will definitely need at least a rebuild, so think about that when deciding what kind of heads you want to toss on it, and how much the end result will be.
SS