Guys, what are the differences between a 351 Cleveland and a Windsor?, which is better for torque, which for speed, all in considering swapping the old I-6 300 thanks...

 

Someone will correct me if I'm mistaken but.. The 351C was the performance motor of the early 70's and it's life was short lived. The 2-brl version had a lot of nice torque and power, the 351W is a little milder. The 352C is based on the 335 series motor family, which is a "bigger" block platform than the W series motors. Both share the small block bell housing patterns. The 351C parts are rarer and more expensive, but not necessarily better than modded out W parts.

Just my $.02 --Mike

 

The 351c is long out of production and considered a serious performance part. Never offered in trucks. The Winsor on the other hand is in production (for a long time) and can be had from mild to wild.

 

Thanks, yes, I just went to the junkers/used part sales area in my city during my lunch break and I went to some shop that had all the engines we've been discussing in the forum. The guy there seemed pretty honest and claimed that the best engine, all aspects considered would be the 351 Windsor, and told me to stay away from the 351C, M & 400 and instead he offered me a "W" long block complete with carb & all the toys for $500, and he even suggested that I trade in the old 300 I-6.

 

in all honesty the 351w is a better truck motor than the cleveland. The 351c has superior heads for racing and therefore suffer on the bottom end where it would be needed for a truck. The windsor parts are much more plentiful and cheaper. and I don't like the 351m or 400 drom all the stories I have heard. I need one before I can bash one though.

 

I have a F250 1982 400 motor, reg cab 2wd and one F150 1996 351W super cab 4x4. Have read a lot cf bad stories about 400 and moostly good about 351W, so my expectations on the W was pretty high. When it comes to low end torque the 400 is a winner. It's all stock but 9:1 compression. I have seen an article, in a swedish motormagazine, about a fuel-injected 400 and the dyno-results showed 600 hp+ including good drivebilyti and MPG. A company, here in sweden, make superior intakes intended for fuel-inj. for several US V8. The 351w: I'm a little disappointed. Nothing wrong whith 400 but more thirsty.

 

the 400 can be a very good truck or even a performance engine if built right. What years is your truck? I would use the 400 if it were available in that year. You might have to change the tranny though to the big bell housing. The "W" has the small pattern.

 

I've got a 1992 Bronco; the Latin American version, that is carbed I-6 300, C-6 tranny and 1993 body. Gears are like in the mid 3's I believe. The 351W is the most expensive V-8 here (my country), 400 is the cheapest, followed by the 351M and Cleveland. A Cleveland would be nice since I have a street truck and very rarely go off road or tow since it is a 2WD stock. I need a fast rig with sufficient torque for uphill driving. As for the Cleveland I am weary of the pats availability situation. Everything points to the W, although I've seen some conflicting information as for the real potential, torque and mileage for this engine. I have not considered a 302 because it has less low-end torque than my current 300.

 

The 351W block is cheaper to build, will hold just as much power and cost much less. There are far more aftermarket parts available for it also. The aftermarket heads out there for the 351W will flow just as much or a whole lot more than a 351C 4V head and still maintain better port velocity. The 351W is lighter also. The 351C is still a good engine an if I needed to keep a car somewhat original I would run one.

 

351 c has no bottom end stay away from this in a heavy body vehicle clevelands should only be used in light cars I'd use the windsor or the 400 they are both fine engines why not a 460 ???

 

I was considering the Cleveland because somebody brought it up, but I know it is not a truck but rather a Mustang engine, with shorter connecting rods than the 351W, M. They say it's a good engine and since I have a 2WD, faster Bronco I was thinking of making it a "street truck". As for the 400 I know they're really cheap (in fact, the cheapest Bronco engine here) but as I understand, get the worst mileage for my application and a tranny changed would be required. With regards to the 460, it'd be nice if I could afford to visit the gas pump everyday... and of course, the weight makes a big difference so in a few words, I'll go for the 351W, thanks for the input anyhow...

 

My vote goes for the 351 Cleveland. A 2-bolt main bottom end can be built to withstand 7500 rpm (is that strong enough?) and the heads will outflow windsors. Although I would rather opt for a 400 or a 460 in a truck because of better lowend torque. I had heard alot of misconceptions about the 400 and I decided to build one anyway. Realized after I got into it how much potential they have. The 400 is basically a stroked cleveland, that came out after the emissions crunch that never had a chance in a performance vehicle. Their are still alot of performance parts for the Cleveland and 400 still available and alot of Cleveland parts that can interchange with the 400.
The 351M is the engine to stay away from, all due to the fact their is very little support for aftermarket pistons, thus limiting compression and strength of piston.

 

I would stay away from the 351 C period. With the aftermarket parts available for the w, the C is past its time. Today, the W can be built to blow away the C.

 

I swapped the 351M in my '79 Bronco for a rebuilt 400 in '90 when the old engine wore out. All you have to do is change the decals!

I'm not into racing, so IMHO the 351M/400 was the best engine ever for a working Bronco (at least for the models that could hold it).

 

I would have to disagree with the remarks on the 351c bottom end. I have a C in my 67 F100 and the thing is bullet proof. Your main concern however in a truck used for towing and off road use is the cooling in the cleveland. They tend to run a little hot even under normal use, when you go adding weight to the bumper things can really heat up. My truck is for street use and I have managed to find most of the parts I wanted easily and not for to much more $$$ than if I were buying for a W. My C is running about 400 horses with only mild modifications. If power and speed are what you want, you want a cleveland. If you want a work/ tow truck go with the W. Just my opinion. If you have any ? about parts for the cleveland just ask, I've looked into it and already have vendors and part #'s.