The Windsor family is Ford’s small-block V8 line, named after the Windsor, Ontario engine plant where it was manufactured. Displacements include the 289, 302 (later 5.0L), and 351W. These engines appeared as factory options in F-100s from the mid-1960s through the end of production, and they remain the most popular swap engine for earlier trucks.
The 302 is the most common choice for F-100 builds. It is compact enough to fit in any F-100 engine bay, lightweight compared to FE big-blocks, and supported by a massive aftermarket. You can build a 302 from mild daily driver to 400-plus horsepower street machine using readily available parts. The 351W offers more displacement and torque, making it a popular upgrade for trucks that will tow or haul.
Windsor engines share a bellhousing bolt pattern across the family, simplifying transmission choices. They accept C4 and C6 automatics as well as various manual transmissions. For any F-100 owner looking to combine reliability, parts availability, affordability, and respectable performance, a Windsor V8 is the default answer. The aftermarket support is unmatched among Ford engine families.