302 to 351C upgrade
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
Easy enough, but Clevelands don't have a lot of bottom end for a truck, they will be $$$, and the oiling system isn't that great. Go for a 351W. You'll be a lot happier, and it is almost a direct swap.
Plus, some junkyard will try to trick you into buying a 351M, they kinda look the same.
Plus, some junkyard will try to trick you into buying a 351M, they kinda look the same.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Coutts Canada
The clevo is a direct swap if it has an electronic ignition (easy to do), and an easy way to tell the difference is by looking on the cyclinder head, on the top front cornor right by the valve cover there should be either a 2 or a 4 for the cleveland, and if not thern its not a clevo. (if there's an m then it a modified) The clevland have decent lowend if you keep with 3.50s gears or similar, and although it might cost more, you can get just as much power out of a clevo as you can out of a windsor.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Alberta
The true 351 Cleavland motor works best in light weight cars. I do not recomend this for a truck. It has HUGE ports that kill torque and are best suited for high RPM racing. I know it sounds cool to say yoy have a Cleavland but it is not practical. Put the 351 in a Mustang not a truck. Why dont you use a 351 Winsor they have way more low end torque, are lighter, will swap in easy, and are way less money! The 351M and 400M are great too.
Clayton
Clayton
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From: GANS
I have seen 351C's in trucks. They are really fast; however, the people who have them hardly ever haul with them. You can get some serious ponies out of a Cleveland, however, you'll be turning 3000rpms before you start making power.
The Modified series might be good; however, they aren't a great swap for an 80s truck; you have to find an 80-82 F-250/350, since that is the only years that the modifieds came stock in the 80s. The 70s mounts won't work in an 80s truck.
The Modified series might be good; however, they aren't a great swap for an 80s truck; you have to find an 80-82 F-250/350, since that is the only years that the modifieds came stock in the 80s. The 70s mounts won't work in an 80s truck.
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Freshman User
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I guess maybe you don't understand. I have a 351C that was built for low end torque so thats why it is cheaper for me to do the Cleveland. The heads are 2V so the chambers are smaller.
More low end responce. The truck right now has a high mileage 302 in it and it gets terrible gas mileage (10 to 12). The gears are 355s. Now that you all have all of the facts, whats your opion?
More low end responce. The truck right now has a high mileage 302 in it and it gets terrible gas mileage (10 to 12). The gears are 355s. Now that you all have all of the facts, whats your opion?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
I guess it helps to know you already have one ready to go 
It should drop down in just like the 302. Ypu'll need to play around with headers, I think maybe 351M header fit the big C.
shouldn't be too hard. the worst part will be trying to get headers/exhaust manifolds to fit right.
It should drop down in just like the 302. Ypu'll need to play around with headers, I think maybe 351M header fit the big C.
shouldn't be too hard. the worst part will be trying to get headers/exhaust manifolds to fit right.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Right now I still have exhaust manifolds on it. What do you think I will have to do about all of my brackets for ac, power steering, smog pump and so on? The truck also has some amount of computer controls on it will I just do away with that. Also the torgue converter from the O/D trans will probally have to be aligned on the 351C flex plate and the plate drilled?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
If you have an AOD, that might be a problem. The people over in the Modified/Cleveland forum could probably help better.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...?s=&forumid=54
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...?s=&forumid=54