I'm assuming from your post that you don't want to tear it down, so you are looking for "other" alternatives. I would suggest the following product, which has been known to work some minor miracles!

Auto-Rx

 

It's usually stuck from gunk building up in the lifter bore. It's a tight fit, so it doesn't take much. Spray PB blaster down there 2-3 times a day for a couple of days. Then pull it out with vice grips.

 

Ops! Instead of reading "remove", I read "free". But, if anybody is looking to clean an engine while in service, try the Auto-Rx.

 

Love to know more about the '69 351W, as they are often amongst the Special 351W's

the 69 and 70 were heavier walled, casting had higher nickel content , and some of the heads often had the VERY LARGE ports that were later fitted to the 351C.

Love to know more about your engine, what it came out of etc.

I have the 1970 , so have all of the above

 

Just as an FYI, and maybe you already know, but the '69-'70 blocks have a 9.480" deck height. '71 and newer blocks have 9.503" deck height. It isn't typically an issue, but something you should be aware of if you will be replacing the rotating assembly. All of the "off-the-shelf" kits out there are made for the 9.503" block.

 

Hey Spydee Man, Thanks for the info, I was aware of the difference in deck heights but I'm a little confused. Ford lists the connecting rod lenghts as the same for both blocks. Am I missing something?

 

Piston compression height difference. Guess.