Motor build up

Heads? leave the stockers on it. For what aftermarket Cleveland heads cost, you'll end up spending big bucks for not a lot of gain for a streetable engine.

D.Hearne said:

Heads? leave the stockers on it. For what aftermarket Cleveland heads cost, you'll end up spending big bucks for not a lot of gain for a streetable engine.

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+1 on D. Hearne's thoughts on the heads. Cleveland heads breath great already, are they 4bbl or 2bbl heads? The 2bbl provide better low end torque which is good for the street. For headers I use Sanderson shorties and have had no problems with them.

Sanderson Headers - sandersonheaders.com

Sorry about the book!

I agree with D. Hearne and Grabber to a degree. You can make a heck of a good street motor with any set of iron Cleveland heads, 2V or 4V, open chamber or closed chamber. As far as the intake and other parts they depend on the choice of heads, your goals, etc. I do disagree with anyone that believes that 4V heads aren't "streetable". 4V Cleveland heads can have a great low end, it just doesn't seem terrific because the top end is fabulous!

I'm planning a Cleveland build for my '70 vert. but I have a lot of other things to do first. Mine will be a 393 stroker using iron 4V closed chamber heads and a mild cam.

If you have the money and want better low end torque + more than 500 HP up top, there are some awesome aftermarket aluminum heads available. CHI makes a number of really great heads - if you follow the Engine Masters competition put on by Popular Hot Rodding you know that people running CHI heads have DOMINATED for the last .. I think it's 5 or 6 years! There are other people out there making aluminum Cleveland heads, but IMO they aren't proven performers like CHI.

I've heard good things about the headers made by Ford Powertrain. A good flowing exhaust system is important for a Cleveland.

A custom cam from MME or another Cleveland expert is a good idea. The people who really know Clevelands say to stay away from the Comp and other larger manufacturer's off the shelf cams. The Cleveland is not the same as a 351W or a SBC, but some cam manufacturers seem to think they are.

Also, the guys at this forum know a lot more about Clevelands than I. You should check it out!
Ford 335 "Cleveland" Series Engine Forum

understand that the 351c can be a finicky engine when throwing parts at it. as hack stated the 4bbl heads can make good low end power, but the 2bbl heads can also make decent top end power. which ever set of heads you use, select your parts with care, and make sure everything is properly matched for rpm range and flow capability.

combinations that make good power in most engines, fall flat on their face in a 351c by giving you an engine that might make great power, but in a very small rpm range. and like hack i am not an expert on building the 351c, but i can tell you that the 4bbl heads, especially the closed chamber heads, do like roller cams, as you can get a profile that might seem radical to most engine combos, but tame the 351c on the low end, and you have a real screamer at the top end.

IMO for stout but basically stock 351C the Aussie 2v cleveland heads are tough to beat, you get the advantages of both the 2v heads smaler ports for higher port velocity and the closed chamber 4v heads closed chambers for higher compression and less problems with detonation due to the poor chamber desgined for emissions purposes. for street motor or mild street/strip motor the aussie heads are the best of both worlds without resorting to aftermarket aluminum heads. combine those heads with a good exhaust, intake manifold and the right cam you can make an easy 400hp and still be able to drive it every day, even in sub-freezing conditions if need be, without being a royal pain in the butt.