351c vs 351w
- Thread starter vdubsta
- Start date
restomodracing
New Member
The windsor is cheaper, but if your only going to change the cam, manifold and carb, then a cleveland should make more power. If your willing to invest in a set of heads, then a windsor is a good choice.
I Don't know much about the Windsor but I have a 351c that im putting 4v heads on and have only heard good things about the Cleveland engine and its power. The only down side I heard of is prices for aftermarket parts but that hasn't been too bad for me anyway, lots of good deals on E-Bay and the classifieds and Summit has a complete rebuild kit for $450. The Cleveland does look good in the engine bay too. The Windsor seems to be a good engine also but I don't know much about them. 
Jim
Jim
the 351W is a good, cheap build that can make good torque too. It's often used in pretty much anything. Also, the Windsor is readily availible for EFI conversion.
The 351C is a good race ready motor. the 2V open heads produce decent power, but the Aussie quenched 2V heads produce monster low end and excellent top end. The 4V quench heads are good top end, but are a dog in the low end. and I don't know about the open 4V heads.
Also, sportsman heads are prepped for Clevland blocks. they take no mods to work on clevland blocks.
OT:Tech hijack: Anyone know the cost of a MAF injection set up for a 351? I can modify the Windsor intake to fit the Clevland block.....
~meow
The 351C is a good race ready motor. the 2V open heads produce decent power, but the Aussie quenched 2V heads produce monster low end and excellent top end. The 4V quench heads are good top end, but are a dog in the low end. and I don't know about the open 4V heads.
Also, sportsman heads are prepped for Clevland blocks. they take no mods to work on clevland blocks.
OT:Tech hijack: Anyone know the cost of a MAF injection set up for a 351? I can modify the Windsor intake to fit the Clevland block.....
~meow
302 coupe
Founding Member
D.Hearne said:It's obvious that you've never driven a car with a 4 bbl quench headed 351C, otherwise you'd never make that ASSumption.
true, 4V heads get a bad rap because of their big ports.....I've never had any low end torque problems from either of ours. Seems like all the people who criticize clev's have never driven one.
some say it costs more to build a clev, not so. Lets say your trying to get 400 hp. Cleveland would need a good intake, cam, headers. Windsor would need intake, cam ,headers, plus $1000 worth of heads. Being as how intakes, cams, and headers tend to run about the same price, you save a grand by using the cleve.
2V heads are only raved about because the magazines make money from the aussies selling them. They do have their place on grocery getters though I guess......
pabear89
Active Member
D.Hearne said:It's obvious that you've never driven a car with a 4 bbl quench headed 351C, otherwise you'd never make that ASSumption.
How true, My C motor can pull a 12= grade in 4th gear and has 
Ponys that pull.If your buying any way the C motor is your best bang for the $.
The Hp of a Big block in the lighter motor for handling.
PB
dodgestang
Active Member
vdubsta said:
Love my 408 Clevand. Sit down, scream as loud as you like since I won't hear you over the exhaust and hold on tight.
If you have access to a rebuildable 351C, then by all means use it. If not then the Windsor isn't a bad choice, but as the others have said, they need better heads, where the Cleveland doesn't. The only advantage the Windsor has an edge in prices is on certain machine work on the heads. I bought a useable 351C the other day for $50, it had an Edelbrock F351 intake, a Comp Cams 280H and TRW forged pistons. It needed rebuilding from sitting out in the weather, but after picking up a set of rebuilt 2 bbl heads, and new rings, rod and main bearings and a few other parts, I'll have a close to 400 hp motor, for less than $600.vdubsta said:
SadbutTrue
Founding Member
Just because the field is skewed so far over towards the Cleveland... if you aren't going to do anything drastic to the engine, ported 69-74 351w heads flow decently (thats why everyone uses them with 302s) and with a good cam/intake/carb combo could make an easy 350 horses. Its also lighter, will probably make more torque than a C, has a more durable block, has more potential if you go all-out, is smaller and easier to get at (plug-wise) and will work with some of your existing parts (motor mounts, among many other things). And the 351w will be a lot easier to find and probably be cheaper to buy initially than a C, which are generally rare and always very old and in need of a rebuild, while you can get a W in very good shape and relatively new. That should be enough reasons to make it harder for you to decide...
pabear89
Active Member
Good points but you should have left out the part about the motor mounts, the Cleveland also uses the same mounts and transmission bolt patternSadbutTrue said:
I could also point him toward the Windsor too, I've got two early 70's std bore blocks for sale along with both sets of D0OE heads, and one useable crank. The rods though, leave a lot to be desired, the Clevelands got vastly superior rods.I had a 351c 2v in my 73' mach one, never drove it but it needed a rebuild so I decided to go with 4v quench heads the power increase is just so great like 100HP more by just going to those heads. You loose alot of low end torque from what I hear but I also hear top end power on the 4v is awesome. If your getting a Cleveland you mines well go all out. The 4v heads were the high performance heads of the day. The intake ports are HUGE. With just a few bolt ons they push 3900lb cars into the low 13's or lower.
Jim
Jim
SadbutTrue
Founding Member
D.Hearne said:Good points but you should have left out the part about the motor mounts, the Cleveland also uses the same mounts and transmission bolt pattern
Do they really? ha, thought the motor mounts were different for non-windsors and i coulda sworn they shared the 385 series transmission bolt sequence. Learn something new every day... I also heard the rods, especially truck rods were actually quite beefy relative to the motor size.
Well, yeah. Someone has to stick up for the W
You'll be happy with either.Similar threads
