As far as I'm aware there is an after market for the 351c? I know it's Craigslist but I looked up 351 Cleveland and found more results than for the 351 windsr

 

I know it's a dumb question but where is the fuel pressure regulator? Narrowed why its running bad down to that, so if this isn't it than I don't know what.
Also, where is it you guys are chopping your exhausts at? I want to put a glasspack I have on It to quiet it down(it's a 24") but I can't find a good spot to cut it.

 

Anywhere you want.

If it wasn't dark out I would go find the FPR on my truck but, have you pulled codes and checked vac. leaks?

There is way more for a Windsor that Cleveland. For something interesting, google Clevor swap.

 

This is probably the truth of the matter, and quite frankly, I can't disagree with any of it. But the last part, that's spot on. To have to build a truck better (or worse) than your buddy's isn't going to be a very good investment. Being on a tight budget is going to lead to shortcuts, cheap parts, and poor quality all around.

Of course there are more clevelands on craigslist. Nobody knows what to do with them. And of course they are cheap, for the same reason. People that have a windsor can so easily rebuild and modify them that it's silly to get rid of them.
You should REALLY look into a 460. Often times, when people build motors, they make stroker motors. When you build a stroker, you increase Cubic inch size. What does a 460 have over the 351(anything)? Oh that's right, 109 more cubic inches. Can you see the potential there? The only reason I could see to not put a 460 in is because you don't have the funding to buy a motor and tranny and all of the other parts to put a 460 in. And if you can't afford it, well then keep dreaming.
Of course you could just build a stroker small block, but if you couldn't afford the 460 and a tranny that will withstand some power, well then I don't think that fits in your budget either.
And, just a shot in the dark here, but I'm going to guess that your current motor puts out better power stock than that cleveland will stock. So if you went through the trouble of buying the cleveland, you'd have to stick money into it at the get go to even reach the power you currently have. Sounds like quite the step back. I also don't believe they ever made an EFI cleveland, so you are going to have a substantially less reliable motor. As much as I like carbs, the EFI on these trucks is so easy to work with, I'll take it over a carb any day.

 

I'm not putting the Cleveland in stock nor am I putting it in soon. Some thing said have gotten me thinking- why not by a second truck a play toy but then I thought tires are cheaper than horsepower. I'm getting the Cleveland, worse comes to worse ill have a back up engine with with how use highschoolers drive you know it's a smart idea.

 

You're obviously not listening to a word I've said. But whatever, if you think you know more than ANY of us, good luck.

 

I don't know where your coming up with that assumption. Cheapest 351w I found was almost 800 in any form prettier than blown up or bare block. If I can find all of these parts for cheap for a Cleveland than why should I try for a Windsor when it would be more expensive to start with?

 

Because in the long run that Windsor will be cheaper and faster.

The Cleveland weighs more, it is harder to find good performance parts for it cheap and is still a smogger motor. It uses smaller plugs too.

You won't listen to us anyway though.

 

It can only be so marginally worse. Once all is done i know I'll be proud of it either way.

 

Great. Have at 'er.

 

Reliable, Cheap, Fast. Pick two, you can't have the third. The Cleveland stopped being produced in 1985, so as mentioned aftermarket support for an undesirable engine will be very small. I'm not sure how you treat your vehicles, but I never blew any engines when I was in highschool, so dumping money into a "back up engine" seems wasteful to me.

FWIW you'd be far better off fixing up what you already have and just enjoy it. The 300 is a great engine for someone in your shoes, it's simple to maintain and repair, and won't suck all your money up in fuel.

 

What he said. --^^^--

 

I've thought about that but I've also heard to many times don't rev it high or it will blow something,you gotta have fun with what you got I guess.

 

EVERY MOTHER BROTHER AND SISTER HAS A BIG BLOCK, build somthing oringinal id give my left arm for your truck i love the 300 6's ive never had the pleasure of owning one saddly. Build that 300 with the 500 you have do maintence on the truck get it right, find you ALL the parts you need to do your swap which i beleive is pointless. i know how it is ive built badass cars and trucks but its pointless man im 21 and have realized it. that 300 is a very reliable motor and itll get up and go with the right set up and have as much torque as as a big block and it gets its peak torque at 1600 rpms where the small blocks and big blocks get theres between 2200 and 3500 rpms just somthing to think about

 

With low gears, they make great red light to red light vehicles...Or 1/8 mile'ers...