How do I tell if the engine I am looking at is a 351 Cleveland? Thanks.

 

Firstly, does the water outlet from the motor connect to the block or the intake manifold? if it exits the block, the motor is either a 351C, a 351M or a 400. Next, is there a 1" high ridge of metal cast into the block next to the distributor, parallel to the crank on the fuel pump side of the distributor? if there is, you have a 351M/400. if not, you have a 351C

 

>Firstly, does the water outlet from the motor connect to the
>block or the intake manifold? if it exits the block, the
>motor is either a 351C, a 351M or a 400. Next, is there a
>1" high ridge of metal cast into the block next to the
>distributor, parallel to the crank on the fuel pump side of
>the distributor? if there is, you have a 351M/400. if not,
>you have a 351C

The part about the 1" high ridge along side the distributor is not entirely true. I have a 1978 F-250 with the 351M and it does not have this ridge along side the distributor. The engine is the original in this truck. I have been mystified by this ridge because I have seen other 351M's & 400's with this ridge but mine does not have that. I am confident that mine is a 351M by the tag on the valve cover and I have a 351C-2V that I have been comparing it to. The thing that stands out is the width of the intake. Look at Edelbrock's site they give the width of the Performer manifolds for both the 351M/400 & 351C.
www.edelbrock.com

Fordy
1978 F-250 Custom, 351M/4 speed

 

I was just at the edelbrock site. the performer intake for the 351M/400 states that the valley width is 8-17/32". the performer intake for the 351C states that the valley width is 6-31/32". As long as you have one engine or the other you could set a tape measure across the intake and eye it up with the valley.

Fordy

 

Alright, thanks guys. Anyone else with any other tips, Thanks.

 

 

the 351c has the same bellhousing pattern as a 351w. they are twice the engine compared to the 351m & 400. Mark

 

so a C6 from a 351w will fit a 351c

 

Yes it is the same as is the drive plate , same balance

 

>the 351c has the same bellhousing pattern as a 351w. they
>are twice the engine compared to the 351m & 400. Mark
>


Say what you want about the lame 351M and most will agree, but don't diss the 400. By my calculations, the 351C is not twice the 400, actually only 87% of the 400 ;-)

Sure - the 351 revs higher due to lower reciprocating weight, but the low-end grunt of a 400 is suited well for street. The 400 has gotten a bad reputation since it was a truck motor, there are fewer performance parts available, and it shipped in low perfomance configurations - but it has a lot of potential once modified.

 

>the 351c has the same bellhousing pattern as a 351w. they
>are twice the engine compared to the 351m & 400. Mark

yea, when pigs fly, the 351m/400 are way better engines. why is this, the 351m can be stroked to a 400 with stock parts. the 400 makes so much torque that the 351c never will. the 400 also can make the same power as a 351c, its only down side is rpms, but if you can spend it, that can be over come as well.
i am currently building a 500tq, 500hp 408c.