My original plan was a 351C down in the '49. However since then I have come own multiple options. The 351c, a unbored f4te roller windsor, and a unbored 302.
All being small bellhousing engine swapping down the road isnt really an issue. however the 351c is EFI. Which means swapping is just more complicated. The C will be the only EFi engine.

My train of thought is :
1) the C will be sexy in any Ford
2) The W is more of a truck engine versus the C
3) the 65 merc weighs less than the '49, very good application for the C
4) the W is fully equipped with Ps pump,AC , etc the C is not. the '49 has a PS rack from the ranger graft, and AC would be a very good bonus. the merc has power nothing in a much smaller engine compartment.
5) for the purists, the mercs engine code is 289, so a 302 is more correct. As well as a complete original car, minus engine and trans.
6) i can always clevor, to get the look.
7) with a new engine the merc will be on the road, and the C is near done.

Im not totally sure what to do, but I guess in the end its nice to have options.

 

Wow you have a lot to filter through. Me I think I'd do the 351C even though the more complicated. Down road you could make it into a lightning motor. Good luck on what you choose.

 

I've always liked the 351C. It's a small block, but with those heads and big valve covers, they look big in a small engine compartment. And even the 2V heads have plenty of breathing space.

But, it's your truck. You're the one that has to be happy with it.

 

It has to be a decision that makes you happy, but if it were mine I would do the 351c without hesitation.

 

What fuel injection do you have for the Cleveland mill? That would be interesting. I agree there's not a sexier engine than the 351C. The biggest drawback to that engine is the fact pretty much everything for it is old stuff, and the developments made on the Windsor platforms over the last 30 years have kind of kicked it to the curb. But if you have an efi setup for it that would work good, that could be a really cool choice.

The Comet engine compartment is tiny, and anything but the 302 in there, and especially using the Cleveland may require some minor surgery. Just to keep it simple I'd stay with the 302. If you wanted more cubes in there, there's always the 331 or 347 options, which would really make it a sleeper.

So with that said, choose which 351 you'd prefer in the truck and go for it.

 

The efi is the ECC-IV swap. MAF. A9L ecu for manual. Its pretty well chronicled on the web. Trick flow upper and lower, got mine from summit.

 

I have to wonder if EFI will reach its full potential on the Clevo, because it's all about the maps. Are there well-developed spark/fuel maps for the 351C? It's a lot of bucks to dial one in on a dyno to get the maps right.

 

Being that it has 2v cast 400 heads, most 351w after market heads match or flow better. A fuel map for a W with aftermarket heads should suffice. the maf can only correct so much, but in the lower RPM range it should run just fine.