This weekend I'm going to look at some parts for my truck. Among some 4x4 axles and even a bed from a '55, he has a few Powertrain options.

I was pretty set on a 351w, however that was mainly because I was planning on putting one in my '67 Mustang and that engine uses the same tranny and everything else as my current 302. After researching a bit it seems the Cleveland may offer some benifits over the windsor. It seems they make some heavy duty torque and would work wonders for a 4x4.

He says the 351C was new from the guy he bought it from, who put no more than 14k miles on it, though he did say it has been sitting for about 7 years now.

He also has a 352, an engine thats very new to me but looks like it could be promising. I haven't checked any of this (I litterally just started my search a minute ago) but a few specs between the two:

351 Cleveland

canted-valve cyclinder heads.
bore and stroke of 4.00 X 3.50.
a light weight block to beat.
one of the most desirable V8 engines Ford had to offer.
a two barrel or four barrel setup.
From 1970 to 1971 the 351 boosted between 250 to 240 horsepower.
As time progress, the 351 Cleveland saw lessor horsepower until its' demise in 1975.
the 351 Cleveland four barrel came with dual exhausts, a higher compressions ratio, larger intake/exhaust valves and four bolt mains during the first year of production.
the 351 Windsor, which belongs to the 90 degree V8 family and bears no resemblance or connection to the 351 Cleveland.



352 cubic inch


bore and stroke of 4.00X3.50
engine for the '58 T-bird
four barrell carb @ 300 hp
compression ratio 10.2.:1
cast iron crankshaft
forged steel rods, mechanical-lifter camshaft w/machined combustion chambers or cast chambers by 1959.
By 1960, the 352 HP was available with an aluminum intake manifold producing approximately 360 hp.



The 351C I know has a transmission on it, but I don't know what he wants for either right now. It seems he's mainly trying to clean up everything he has, and from what I've talked to him on he's not being anywhere out of line with pricing.


As of right now thats all I know. I don't know the condtion of the 352, nor fo I know how well that 351C is dispite the low miliage, he mentioned having to do a compression check before knowing what to ask for it.

It seems to me the 352 is a hell of an engine, but I don't know if it has any problems. I thought the 351C has a few problems with oiling, but unresearched at this time.

I figure the 352 maybe harder to come across parts for it. I'm not looking to make it a monster, just a sweet engine for a daily driver. I plan on making my truck a 4x4. I plan on using a divorced 205 transfer case as well, so I can change my power source without having to change the rest (if it should arise that I need to someday)


Thoughts, suggestions?

 

The 352 is one of the FE motor family (360, 390, 427, 428 etc) the 351 Celveland is a seperate family of motors.

I had a 351 C in my 56 and it was the biggest NOTHING I have ever driven. I actually thought I got more performance from the 289 in my 55 than that motor - hated it.

I have a 390 (PI) in the 51. That is part of the FE family. The FE motors are famous for performance, and setting you back in the seat. They respond quickly and move quickly. Powerful and fast - poor mileage (12-15 mpg tops) in the FEs.

FE motors are getting to be hard to find parts for while the 351C is a little better. The 351C evolved into the 351M (Michigan or Modified) and parts for that are a lot easier to find.

The 427 Cobra Jet engine in the Shelby Cobra is an FE. Some Cobra clones have 351 Windsors - a small block engine, totally unrelated to the 351 Cleveland (in the 289 family)

 

The 351W has the edge in, parts availability (replacement and custom speed equipment), lighter weight, and easier on gas, than the 351C, 351M or the 352FE. The 351W also has more potential power than the 351M or the 352FE.

The 351W was in production from 1969 thru around 1999/2000.

Good luck

 

dollar for dollar 351w. its cheaper that the 351c for parts,and a more even power range.IMO.

 

I am partial to the 351c...probably because I am putting one in my 53. Make sure it is really a cleveland. A lot of folks mistake the 351m and 400 for a cleveland and want more money for them. I think even if it is one of the other two they are still not bad motors, you just want to fix a few things that can open them up to their full potential. (strait up timing, better cam, etc) A 400 is a cool engine and are widely used in torquey mud trucks, etc. Check out Tim Meyer's site for info: TMeyer, Inc. Precision Automotive Machining

There are few good sites for info on the 335 series engines:

Ford 335 "Cleveland" Series Engine Forum

Home - Clevelands Forever!

New Page 1

and right here on FTE:

335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums


The oiling problem is not really a problem if you do your research, but there are cheap mods if you feel inclined to do so.

If the engine is a 4 barrel ( you can tell by the number 4 in the corner of the head) I would pass on it for a truck. This motor would be better suited for a higher revving street car. Look for the 2 in the corner, the 2v heads make some better torque for a truck.

 

Since you're wanting a 4X4 set up that would be my first way to decide.

If you had a back end for each motor though I would go with the 352 but then again I also drove an FE for a while. The mechanical lifters will need to be adjusted periodically but will add to the awsome sound and power of the FE motor. I drove a 280zx for a while that needed the valve lash to be adjusted every other month but what a rush when you jump in and get that HP back.

The 351c,351m, and 400 if I remember right had the ability to be drilled for 4-bolts mains in case you're wanting to beef up the bottom end.

That being said, the c&m engines are lacking in the aftermarket selections. It seems easier to find aftermarket heads and intakes for the FE. I got free 400 with cracked heads and looked for the 351 2v heads with no luck but found many FE heads lying around. Thus I think that finding parts for the FE would be a little easier than the c&m motors. Also, the auto parts chains that I've been to have FE stuff on hand; gasket sets ect. and can get the special stuff in a couple days.

Do look out for the heads on the c&m. The 4v head ports are huge. One the other side of the spectrum, 400 heads are puny like the girly 302.

A 351W motor opens up a ton of options and cheaper at that, but did you get into old trucks to be like everyone else? The lack of water passages in the intake manifold on the c&m motors gives me the urge to fabricate a 6 duece intake for the 400 and use that. What could be more perfect for a daily driver?

Clayton

 

I had a built 351C in front of a 4 sp top loader in my 54 Panel that was a bona fide chevy/dodge killer. It came out of a 1970 Mach I and it was a tire burning monster. I can't believe that anyone would call it a nothing, certainly not my experience. On the contrary, I terrorized the local bow tie boys for years with it.

 

Both are good engines with potential for decent power and durability. The 352 was offered in many forms over the years, from 2 bbl versions in pickups to 4 bbl performance models. Had one in an old Galaxie years ago, good power, but it was a gas hog. Friends with 390s got better mileage.

The stock 351C is a bit high strung for a pickup that will see use beyond street cruising in my opinion. Especially if it has the 4V heads. With the 4V heads power is really good once you get above 4000 to 4500 rpm. Make sure that it is a 351C though, the 351M looks similar, but has a taller deck height. If it is a 351M or a 351C with the 2V heads, you can build a nice pickup motor out of it with the right parts. For big low end torque an old Offenhauser dual port intake manifold with a Carter AFB (or a newer Edelbrock carb) and an "RV" cam is hard to beat. I had a 77 351M set up that way and could lug around in 4th gear at about 800 rpm with no bucking or jerking.