The easiest way to tell a 351W from a 302 just by looking at it in the engine bay is by looking at the cylinder surface. On a 302 the cylinder head surface is right where the water ports are for the timing chain cover. For the 351W there will be a gap between the water port and cylinder head surface.

My 351W bare block picture (front)
http://www.corral.net/photopost/data..._FRONT-med.jpg

In this picture of a 302 you can see the head deck surface is flush with the water port of the timing chain cover. (warning: picture is huge; don't mind the carnage, either; block couldn't handle the power)
http://www.corral.net/photopost/data...002516-med.jpg

 

nice snapped timing chain

 

Nice pics and descriptions Helmet.

 

This is one of those things that comes to mind when a person is telling another that it is a 351W and you just look at that gap (if any). If it's not there you can call them on their bull**** and if they come back with "well, I had the block shaved" then kill the guy. That's a process nobody can do.

 

DAMN I didnt think it was that much of a diff. Will my accessory brackets that i have work with a 5.8 if I make the mounting holes bigger? If not, what do I do bout that?

 

it depends on what type of mounting brackets you have. the brackets out of the '79-'91 Crown Vic / Grand Marquis will bolt up to either motor.
these accesories brackets have 4 holes 2 are used for the 5.0 the other 2 are for the 5.8

this is looking down the drivers side head


plus these brackets will move your power steering pump and alternator to the drivers side to make lots of room on the passenger side

 

i have a vortech on there too, so i would have to redrill it i guess

 

which side is the vortech on?

 

its on the pass side, the alternator and the smog pump mount to the blower bracket.

 

well i found out its a 5.0 by the VIN, I'm still gonna pull the accessories to check the water pump to see if its a 351. hopefully it is