65 Mustang Coupe and 351 Cleveland

[RioRed]

Hi

ive built up a newer 5.0 and am about to take on a 65 stang with a straight 6 and a three speed manual.

My question is can the 65 coupe fit a 351 windsor/cleveland motor in it without major modification?? I dont mind if i would have to shave the strut towers as Im replacing those anyways.

thanks for the information and ill post some pics when i get it done.

later
rich

 

[Sicarius428]

The Windsor would be easier and cheaper to get good power out of. Just the fact that there are tons of parts out there for the Windsor makes it a better choice. Size wise the Windsor is also smaller and will easier to fit in the 65. The Cleveland is a bit heavier so that will affect your handling.
Kevin

 

[Cantedvalve]

A 351C or a 351W WILL fit in a 1965. There is a guy on these boards named dodgestang that did it. I am sure he will be around to talk to you about it soon. No car modification is needed, but the headers are gonna need 5 lbs. of persuasion.

If you have a W or C build what you have. If you can get your hands on a good 351C core, it IS NOT more expensive to build, and they build a lot of power for the money with the heads they have. 351W is a good motor once you get into $1500 heads.

If you want to do a C, dont let anyone talk you out of it. Most of the crap myths associated with the C gets is either jealousy or ignorance.

 

[dodgestang]

One 65 mustang with one 351c installed

Installation is not that difficult once you know how to do it. Don't be swayed by the nay sayers who say 1. its too big or 2. its too heavy. My car handles very well with a stock style suspension with some upgrades (roller perches, heim joint adjustable strut rods, 5 leaf mid eyes, and the shelby drop) I run 17 inch tires and keep up with my bros new 350z on exit ramps just fine.

The only outward appearance my car gives that it has a supped up motor when it is sitting there is the deep sump oil pan I pan...aside from that it just looks like a decent shape restomodded mustang.

But I have a 408 cube clevelannd stroker under the stock hood, 9 inch rear with 4.11 and 400 RWHP. ITs a blast to drive.


To install a 351c you do not need to sledge this or relief that to fit between the shock towers. YOu do have to spend a little bit more than if you were installing a 351w since the headers you will want to use for the swap are $500.

To put it in you need the 64 falcon 3 peice style motor mounts:

Headers from www.fordpowertrain.com (they fit better than the tubular auto headers I took off)

And a low profile intake (unless you have a cowl hood or scoop...then you can use whatever intake you want. I wanted it all under the hood so I chose an xcelerator, a 1/2 inch carb spacer, a drop base filter and a 3 inch element and have about 1/2 in to the hood. Because of this, I also run a torque strap which you can assemble for about $15 using hardware store parts:

It is a tight fit, don't be confused...and I ended up heating a couple tubes on the headers and bumping them to keep them from resting on the lower part of the shock tower.

Here's a good image of how close it is, I have to releive a small section of the flange right here:

But that was installed a tight...I just didn't want it rubbing

I may seem like a lot of work but the car shows and gas stations are priceless and make it worth it.

"What you got in that thing?"
"351c"
"No way, they don't fit...you pull the towers out?"
"No"
"OMG you sledged em?"
"No"
"I don't beleive you, let me see.......wow its in there....that isn't a cleveland"
"Yes it is"
"no it isn't you dont have any idea what you are talking about" or "holy crap it is...how did you do that"

 

[dodgestang]

And yes, I agree with cantedvalve...I have done the math in a couple other threads and on a couple different forums for people....but it boils down to this when evluating 351c vs 351w......"Build what you have. If you have neither, build what you want."

 

[RioRed]

Cleveland is getting built up over the winter/spring to be dropped into the car next summer with an aod.Friends i know have built them in the past so they can help me along the way.

Dodgestang sweet looking car and thanks for the pics and info. really helped with my decisions.

 

[allcarfan]

Hey man, i have some nice 351C parts I have to get rid of...PM ME if you are intersted....fuel pump, nice valve covers, solenoid, etc.

 

[dodgestang]

Cleveland is getting built up over the winter/spring to be dropped into the car next summer with an aod.Friends i know have built them in the past so they can help me along the way.

Dodgestang sweet looking car and thanks for the pics and info. really helped with my decisions.

If it makes you feel even better....the Ford power train headers will clear the AOD in a 65....becuase I have an AOD. What won't make you feel better is the fact that I have about 5k into my AOD now because my motor keeps breaking it...and I bought a 'brand x' setup called AOD Dominator that was rated for 700HP......1 piece input shaft, 4r70w gearset, all the bells and whisltles...and its a very good boat anchor. I prob should have gone Art Carr or lentech but was cheap and now I have spent so much on it I could have bought a race prepped c4 or c6 and a gear vendors overdrive.

 

[302 coupe]

The right cleveland build will make more power with stock heads than a windsor, so the opportunity is there to build a 400 horse motor for about $1500, most people will agree that its harder to build a 351W with stock heads to get that power for the same money. I'm not particularly biased one way or another, I like the C and the W about the same. But, there is something about those huge ports making the C scream at about 4000rpm--look out. Maintenance on the C will be more difficult(re:sparks plugs), and the windsor will likely make more user friendly power down low. That leans me towards the W for daily driving, and the C for a weekend hot rod

 

[ratio411]

Hey Dodge,
That is the first exterior pic of your car that I have seen.
Man that is beautiful!

I saw the pics of your Tubular headers when you got the car, in all fairness, they were old and hacked up by a PO...
I have had those same headers new, and they were awesome.
The only thing is they don't come painted, much less ceramic coated.
Sorry for the hi-jack!

On the original post:
What ever you do to that car, get V8 or better brakes, suspension, and driveline componets before you put it on the road! It is a death trap for you and those in the next car if you swap the engine and nothing else.
Good luck
Dave