Carroll Shelby Engines Unveils New Aluminum 351W Block

LOS ANGELES February 11, 2009: Carroll Shelby Engine Company, a company owned by Carroll Shelby, has introduced a new aluminum 351 Windsor engine block for high performance Ford cars. The lightweight, robust block can be bored and stroked to 427 c.i.d. and is available individually or as a new high performance engine. Like the big block aluminum “FE”, the 351 Windsor is another quality part from Carroll Shelby. It is available from the Carroll Shelby Engine Company in Gardena, Calif., and its dealers.

“We have a long history with the small block Ford engine since it was first introduced in 1962,” noted Carroll Shelby, president of the Carroll Shelby Engine Company. “That includes putting my Shelby American team in the Winner’s Circle at the 1965 FIA world championships, as well as drag races and U.S. road racing championships. Our new 351W aluminum small block and engine will give a lot of Ford owners a taste of that level of winning performance.”

Much lighter than the cast iron version, the Shelby 351W block was designed to be the strongest on the market. Each is CNC machined from A356 T6 alloy at Shelby’s own Carroll Shelby Engineering machining facility and comes ready for assembly. Featuring a 9.5” deck height and bore sizes from 4.024” to 4.125”, the combinations are many. The 2.750 steel billet main caps can accept crankshafts up to a 4.250 stroke. It also includes four bolt mains on No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4.

“This new aluminum block is an engine builder’s dream,” added Don McCain, Vice President of the Carroll Shelby Engine Company. “It uses stock cam bearings but can be bored out for roller cam bearings. With its stock oil filter location, expanded water jackets and four bolt mains, our block is a perfect platform for today’s high performance engines.”

The aluminum Shelby 351 Windsor uses standard FMC accessories with the oil filter in its stock location. It can be bored and stroked to be a true big block sized 427 c.i.d. for use in a small block package. The engine company also offers matching aluminum heads that are CNC ported. Optional black powder coated aluminum Carroll Shelby signature valve covers and air cleaners are also available.

“Many Cobra and Mustang drivers in the 1960s wanted an aluminum small block for their cars, but the technology was too expensive,” stated McCain. “From the Mustang to the Bronco, Cougar, F150 and Fairlane, this Shelby block is appropriate for any application that will accept a 351W. It’s ideal for the Cobra and GT40 continuation cars, Sprint Cars, dragsters and high performance boats.”