Another fellow and myself have come to a draw, more or less, on a topic.

He says he pulled a 400 Cleveland from a 72 ranchero.

I said no way, there are no 400 clevelands. I did mention that they did put some 400 modifieds in rancheros that had a small block bellhousing but were modifieds.

The response was no it has a big block bellhousing. He mentioned it was a cleveland due to the 4v carb/ intake/ heads, as modifeds only came out with a 2v head/ intake/ carb. I can see that point, but I still think its a 400m with 4v induction.


He is pretty firm that its a cleveland 400, and I am bent that its a modified. I am not trying to prove anyone wrong I would actually like to learn if there were a few "one offs", so to speak motors, put into rancheros under the name 400 cleveland or are they as I suspect 400 modifeds with the 4bbl carb/intake/heads. later

 

JW,

You are right. The "Cleveland" block in its stock form does not have enough deck (9.2"). I think the 351M/400 has a 10.3" deck to handle that 4" stroke. A Cleveland can be that big with a stroker crank and different pistons/rods. As for the 4V heads and such, sounds like someone modified the modified (Bill, don't shoot me) before he got the vehicle.

Some, and very few I might add, 400s came with a small block bell pattern in 1972. I believe '72 was the only year Ford did that. Then after that, only big block bell patterns.

The 351M and the 400 share the exact same block. The Cleveland only shares the heads and other pieces like the cam, timing set, fuel pump, etc.

Keep fighting!

Steve

 

Thanks, appreciate the response. later