Gots me a 351 Cleveland

mattbaker302 · Dec 10, 2019

howdy, I just bought myself an early Christmas present! a 351 Cleveland. I believe she's from a 73 cobra but I am not 100% certain. I'm wanting to make some power, what kind of pistons would yall recommend to me? it's already bored .30 over and staying like that. I'm also not sure about what cam to run? its got some kinda mild comp cam in right now but I'm wanting a big mutha thumpa! it is a street application tho so gotta keep it on pump gas.
More specs n stuff: stock heads, stock intake, stock crank, upgraded valves n valve springs, stock rockers, screw in heads studs.
I've never messed with a Cleveland so feel free to give as much advice as you wish, id appreciate it
id like around 400-450 hp... it came stock with 300

Olivethefet · Dec 10, 2019

What is it going in? I dont know much about the Clevelands, but I like them.

mattbaker302 · Dec 10, 2019

Olivethefet said:
What is it going in? I dont know much about the Clevelands, but I like them.

ssshhhhh dont tell anyone, it's going in a 72 ford f100 not a mustang

rbohm · Dec 11, 2019

ok my advice on building the 351c is:

1: first dump the stock heads, even inf they are 4v heads, as there are much better heads on the market now. this big issue i have with the stock heads are the big open chambers, unless you have an early set of 4v heads that are closed chamber, if that is the case then keep them. the edelbrock 3v head will do nicely on the street.

2: since you want a streetable compression ratio, stick with a good flat top piston

3: convert to a roller cam, something like the comp cams xe282 cam, or similar. here is a cam i selected for you that will make power and still be streetable;

High Performance Camshafts for Ford Engines

World’s top manufacturer of performance Ford camshafts and related engine valve train parts for all race and street performance engines

www.compcams.com

if you dont like that cam, feel free to change the parameters selected. they suggested a magnum series cam.

4: since this is going into a truck i would suggest using the performer rpm air gap intake, and top it off with an edelbrock thunder series 750cfm carb.

5: a nice set of big tube 4-1 headers and a inimum 2 1/2" dual exhaust system

i think this combination will make the hp level you are wanting easily.

mattbaker302 · Dec 11, 2019

hey, thanks, for all the advice. I've never even considered switching to a roller cam. if i didn't switch to that and used flat tappet hydraulic, do you think i could achieve the same power or close? also, how can i tell if the heads are closed chambered? they have the upgrade springs and the screw-in studs.

rbohm · Dec 11, 2019

the open chamber head is on the left in the picture;

mattbaker302 · Dec 12, 2019

rbohm said:
ok my advice on building the 351c is:

1: first dump the stock heads, even inf they are 4v heads, as there are much better heads on the market now. this big issue i have with the stock heads are the big open chambers, unless you have an early set of 4v heads that are closed chamber, if that is the case then keep them. the edelbrock 3v head will do nicely on the street.

2: since you want a streetable compression ratio, stick with a good flat top piston

3: convert to a roller cam, something like the comp cams xe282 cam, or similar. here is a cam i selected for you that will make power and still be streetable;

High Performance Camshafts for Ford Engines

World’s top manufacturer of performance Ford camshafts and related engine valve train parts for all race and street performance engines

www.compcams.com

if you dont like that cam, feel free to change the parameters selected. they suggested a magnum series cam.

4: since this is going into a truck i would suggest using the performer rpm air gap intake, and top it off with an edelbrock thunder series 750cfm carb.

5: a nice set of big tube 4-1 headers and a inimum 2 1/2" dual exhaust system

i think this combination will make the hp level you are wanting easily.

i do have the closed chamber heads.

rbohm · Dec 13, 2019

mattbaker302 said:
i do have the closed chamber heads.

ok then you can use those heads.

southcross2631 · Dec 14, 2019

Look on some of the Cleveland websites. The weak point is the oiling. There are some easy D.I.Y. mods to improve the oiling system.
The later Cleveland's retarded the cam timing so make sure you get the timing set from a 69 or 70. It as a standard swap when I worked in Ford dealerships in the 70's.
the advance curve on the later Clevelands were for emissions and not performance

rbohm · Dec 15, 2019

southcross2631 said:
Look on some of the Cleveland websites. The weak point is the oiling. There are some easy D.I.Y. mods to improve the oiling system.
The later Cleveland's retarded the cam timing so make sure you get the timing set from a 69 or 70. It as a standard swap when I worked in Ford dealerships in the 70's.
the advance curve on the later Clevelands were for emissions and not performance

the weak point is the oiling system, but only when the RPMs are turning over 8000 which he wont be doing on the street.

bartl · Dec 16, 2019

One thing to do is make sure you have a Cleveland and not a 351M or 400.....

rbohm · Dec 16, 2019

bartl said:
One thing to do is make sure you have a Cleveland and not a 351M or 400.....

he has heclosed chamber heads, which means that if the heads were original to the motor, then it is a 351c.

mattbaker302 · Dec 16, 2019

bartl said:
One thing to do is make sure you have a Cleveland and not a 351M or 400.....

yes sir, it is a 351 cleveland

Gots me a 351 Cleveland

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