I have a 351 Cleveland with and FMX tranny that I took out of a 73 FGran Torino Sport and I want to put it into my 86 F-150, which had an EFI 302 in it. What I want to know is what kind of problems I can expect. Things like: Will I need to modify the motor mounts or can I buy ones that will fit. Will I need to get a different oil pan? And is there any thing special that i can do to the 351 to get more power and speed out of it without draining my wallet?

Thank for any and all advice.

 

I would sell the cleveland to some mustang guy, use the money to buy a 351wHO. Lighter motor, equal in hp, cheaper to build, and a direct bolt in to your truck. My opinion

Nathan

 

I am putting a 72 Cleveland from a Cougar into a 76 step side. Mine is a bit more difficult as I am switching from a 300-6 to the Cleveland but...

The Clevelands (not the 351M and 400s) use the same motor mounts as the 302/351W/289/260. The motor perches for these motors and the 351M and 400 are the same.

Transmission could be a bit trickier as you may have an overdrive if you have an auto but I know they put C-4s and C-6s in the 80s trucks so you should be able to get a tranny mount for it and crossmember. The parts hunting is a blast! You may have to move the crossmember a bit...I did to match the holes. Your frame may or may not be drilled for the different placements of the tranny crossmember. I was lucky as mine had three sets of holes and the middle ones fit with my C-4 (The cougar originally had an FMX and the swap to the C-4 did not change the location of the crossmember.)

As far as adding power without $$$.....well the above post is right, the 351Ws are cheaper since they have produced them well into the 90s but the Clevelands still make great power and good engines. The weight difference is 50 to 75 pounds depending on equipemnt.

Hope this helps some.

 

If your motor is a 2bbl Cleveland (as from the factory) I think I would go with Nathan's recommendation and look for a 351W to build. If you have a rare 4bbl Cleveland that is a different story. The 4bbl Cleveland has completely different heads than the 2bbl version with much larger valves and exhaust ports. They make gobs of upper end power but can be a little sluggish on the bottom of the rpm range because of the huge valves and ports.

FYI - the 260,289,302,351W,351C,351M and 400 are all considered small blocks. The 351C,351M and 400 are all considered to be "Cleveland designs". The heads on the 351C-2bbl, 351M and 400 are basically identical and the bellhousing pattern on the 351M and 400 are the big block pattern (429/460).

 

My suggestion is to find out whether you have the 4 barrel or 2 barrel version of the 351 Cleveland. If you have the 4 barrel, build the Cleveland, End of Story. If you have the 2 barrel version, go with a different motor or try and find a set of 4 barrel heads. As far as a motor, depends on whether or not you want a fuel injected or a carbureted motor. If you want fuel injection, go with the previous stated 351 Windsor H.O. If you want carbureted, go with a 460. That would be your best bet, especially if you can find a set of heads from the 70 - 72 space for a 460, they make LOTS of power. Good luck.

 

better check on an oil pan for that. must be a rear sump.

 

Clevelands are fine engines but there is no need to put your self through all the grief of finding parts for them. With todays after market parts available for Winsor engines its easy to build a 351W that makes gobs of power. You will be better off stroking a 351W and leaving the Cleveland motor for someone who is into racing mustangs. I just went through all this with my 1984 F-150 in changing from a 302 to a 351W. I'm a late 60s muscle car guy and love the Cleveland but ended up going with a 351W after considering all the factors.

 

Interesting comments above. Us Mustang guys use Windsors too!!!! It's cheaper to build a Windsor and the head selection for Windsors is much better then the late, great Cleveland.

As to the 2bbl VS. 4bbl. head comments believe it or not the 2bbl Cleveland head is a more desireable street and mild performance head. The 4 bbl heads, especially the closed chamber heads, are usually opened up to lower the compression and a product called a power port(?) is used to further choke 'em down. Now if it's a 4 bolt main block it's worth a little. A lot of 4 bbl Clevelands were 4 bolts and a few 2 bbl motors snuck out as 4 bolt motors. Find a builder that knows Clevelands, there is oiling issues to address and the blocks were prone to cracking. But remember the 2 bbl heads will be a more desireable street/mild strip/truck application.