351C 2v best mods?

carlos351 · Mar 29, 2011

Hello Gents. just got my hands on a 351C 2v, this is a D2AE-Ca motor which according to what it decodes back is from a 1972 Galaxie, but i have read also that this same block was used on the CJ, this one does not have the 4 bolt thingy,

Well i opened it up, and the internals look great, like it was recently went thru, one of the walls in the pinston #3 (i think) is rusted, looks like the engine was left in the weather, any reason why the components are D0AE as opposed to D2AE?

questions: keep in mind i was this engine for a daily draiver (yep eventhough with current gas prices), so i care on streetability and power, not so much on gas prices.

1.-how much power can i get out of this baby with a single cam change? and still keep all other 2V-OEM?
2.-should i change the heads/intake to 4V and if so open or closed chambers
3.-this block seems to be for the small c4/c6 transmission, so i guess i can potentially install an AOD, but there is not flex plate or fly wheel, this engine is internally balanced, correct? on the same as the 5.0 hence the flex plate from a 5.0 will not work?

thanks for your inputs now shoot but be gentle
regards

Hack · Mar 30, 2011

I'll take a shot at some of your questions.

1. I'm not sure, maybe 250-300? I wouldn't really recommend using a high performance cam with the stock valve springs and two-piece valves. I have heard too many horror stories about heads coming off valves. You might want to take the heads to a local shop and have them check the heads over and give you advice. The power is going to depend on compression and your engine probably is a low compression smog motor. The Edelbrock Air Gap is a great 2V intake, by the way. It also works very well on the 4V heads.
2. If you want to make maximum power - 4V closed chamber is the cheaper way, or a modern aluminum head will make great power, weigh less and have better characteristics through the power band. A modern chamber will also give you slightly better fuel economy compared to an older iron head.
3. The Cleveland is a 28 oz balance engine. It's the same as the 351W or the original 302. The 80s-90s 5.0 used a 50 oz balance. You need a special flexplate with the correct number of teeth for the AOD and the 28 oz balance for the Cleveland. Yes you're right, the 5.0 flexplate won't work.

Cleveland Engine Builds
Here's a link to some sample Cleveland builds to give you an idea of the options.

68RCodeConv · Mar 30, 2011

Rusted piston wall? Doesn't take much in the way of pitting to make the block unusable. Better get that checked first.

mustangmutt · Mar 30, 2011

351C's are all external ballanced and require a 28oz Flywheel and Harmonic ballancer. Anything newer than '85 is a 50oz ballance so do not use newer flywheels/flex plates or harmonic ballancers. The 2v heads have 2.05 intake valves so they will breath real good with a good cam. 4v heads have 2.19 intake valves and larger ports. It is said that the smaller ports and valves give better low end torque and are a better head to run on the street.
And yes, if there is rust in the cylinder have it inspected

carlos351 · Apr 3, 2011

Hello All, thanks for your inputs much appreciated,

I got this engine with the intake and heads off for $120 including the engine stand... so i couldn't pass, and i have a 1972 mach one that currently is running with a 5.0L+AOD, fun to drive but miss the sound of the 351C,

Anyways, one more thing i just realized that the intake is actually 4V mustang with huge ports and it was bolted into the 2V heads, akward.. i thounght they wouldn't be compatible.

Finished disassembling the motor and all the internals look pretty good, looks like it had been gone thru recently, it's got the original rockers not sure how to tell if the cam is the original or aftermarket,

Definetely will have the block inspected, but i remember when i was young my dad used to have the cilinder sleves replaced and was not a big deal or expensive, granted diferent geographical location...

in your opinion, if i want to be ~400hp what route should i take?

regards
Carlos

palerider94 · Apr 3, 2011

Good site for cleveland info
The Cleveland Engine Forum Index

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