I'm about to replace the engine in my 1987 F-150, and it has given me some ideas. Eventually I want to put Dana axles (most likely Dana 60's) in it, and maybe a 351 Cleveland big block. My question is, what kind of modifications would I have to make to the truck to get these to work. (Will I have to replace the transmission for the new engine?) I already know I'll probably have to beef up the engine mounts to take the bigger/ more powerful motor.

 

The Cleveland is technically a small block, it's also exceptionally rare, expensive to buy even as a total rebuild, and there aren't many options for performance upgrades.

A 351w can be built to far exceed what the Cleveland ever did with a rediculous array of heads, cams, intakes, and stroker kits available for it in the aftermarket, and it'll bolt right in there like factory.

Do some searching around the various sections on this site and you'll see lots of discussions on this stuff, no need to reinvent the wheel, just spend some $$ and get your hands dirty.

 

I agree. Go w a windsor engine. Do you wheel the truck hard? if not a 60 is a waste. do 44 solid axle

 

Thanks, I'm putting another 302 in the truck soon. But I've been told by a few friends that I should go the direction of a big block. But I've also been told I can build the 302 to be a bad *** engine. I've just got a million different ideas of what to do with it, and I'm not sure which direction to go first haha.

 

oh, and I don't wheel the truck hard right now, but I'm building it to be a mainly off-road truck. I am planning on putting 44" tires on it before its all said and done. So I figure the beefier the axles the better.

 

Also, after hydro-locking the current engine, I'm looking for a snorkel for the truck so I don't screw up another engine. Would it be easier to build my own or does someone make a snorkel for this year ford?

 

bah just build a snorkel its not hard and you can do it about any way you want...

the problem with a big block and mudding is the big blocks tend to run really hot compared to small blocks and after 3 mins. of high revs throwin the mud you wont be able to touch the hood or itl burn you...clevelands are pretty rare and the aftermarket isnt as great but they can be one hell of an engine since they were more geared toward performance then the 351 W was in stock forms....theres also the 351M which is usually made into a 351 HO and most of the time found it bigger truck that pull or haul lots...and of course the small block 351W has the best aftermarket (only topped by the 350 chev probably but thats cuz the 350 need all the help it can get LOL) and they can be built up real nice because they are almost a mix of a 302 and a 300 but beefed up...low end torque AND high end performance...and yes a 302 can be built up pretty nice but to run 44's id go with a 351 W for the low end torque

just my very detailed and long .002 LOL

good luck with the build

 

44's! O then the 60 is for you a 44 is only good to about 35's

 

Thanks for the info, any idea what size lift I would need to run 44's?

 

12" or so have to custom make it

 

Unless you drop a lot of cash on after market heads the cleveland will make a ton more power than the windsor. The windsor does have all the cool stroker kits out for, but the cleveland has some kits too I think 408 is the biggest I have seen. Check craigslist and you can find rebuilders for under $500 it might take some time but they are out there, just make sure its not a 351M. The windsor is an easier swap but don't really rule the cleveland out just because its a little harder, the 2V cleveland heads will out perform most after market by a lot and if you want to go all out the 4V heads will out flow just about any thing out there but bottom end will suffer. Did you know you can combine the two and put cleveland heads on a windsor block. Don't rule out the cleveland because some people say oh you can't find those any more or you can't get any performance parts because you can. The cleveland earned the reputation it has to day by blowing the doors off of the windsor for 30 years, it after all was designed as a performance engine unlike the windsor. Nothing wrong with windsors, just felt like I had to step up for the cleveland it seems like every time some one mentions a cleveland swap around here it turns in to a pep rally for the windsor. If you want a cleveland do it, I did.
-Johnboy

 

Thanks, I'll take a second look at the cleveland when I go to upgrade the engine.

 

get out the sawzall to run 44s hahahaha

if you want to run a bigblock don't half *** it, go with a 460 that way you can ALWAYS get more power out of it and let me tell you those kasse p-51 heads are the CHIT on those motors

in my opinion if you want to make a 351w be able to clean mud out of 44in boggers the motor will be so high strung and finicky that you won't want to run it on the street or really want to run it much out of the mud hole

think about it to get 700hp out of a 351w you're going to be pushing it REALLY hard w/ expensive trick/custom parts, but to get 700hp out of a 460 is pretty simple with readily available off the shelf parts.

and at the 700hp level i doubt the 351w will make nearly as much torque as the 460


the only other motor i would consider to run with 44in tires would be an FE, i have a 700hp FE in my t-bird and LOVE those motors get a 390 if your on a tight budget a 428 if your on a budget a 427 center oiler if you have some change a 427 side oiler if you've got some money in your wallet and a 427 SOHC if you've got a big bank account

the FE will make awesome low end torque and rev up to 6500-7k with minimal mods such as rocker shaft stands and roller rockers and a solid cam with a hardened rocker shaft

 

Alright, I'm gonna use this thread as my own personal well of info. One of my friends found a 351 modified w/ a C6 trans that both supposedly work for $300 from a '79 pick up. Is this a good deal? keep in mind I'm just looking for an engine to put in my truck while I rebuild my 302

 

u can always build a 408 stroker (351w) that'll make around 300hp at 4000rpm with stock heads and 470tq. Add a set of free flowing heads, cam, intake, exhaust and pull around 375-400hp and 500tq.