351 cleveland

[red403]

I have a 1967 f100 2wd with a 300 six and a 4 speed trans. I have come into a 351 cleveland with a 4 speed and 4:11 gears currently in a 1986 f150 4X4(NOT the factory engine or gears it has been changed out). I want to install a 5 speed for bettter highway use behind the cleveland and the 4:11. Just wondering if anyone has installed a 351 cleveland in one and can share any info. I have searched and found not much as most are installing 460's(that was the first plan but I got the cleveland for nothing so I want to use it). I know I need new engine perches for a 302(what years not sure) anything else someone can help me with. Thanks

[fordman]

you need engine perches from 69-77. mayeb 78 79. truck or 2wd bronco may work. i am unsure abotu that. as far as highway speeds get a lower geared rear end to do what you think a five speed would do. it wont. the rear end gears do that.

[fomocoguy]

Well, first off you will want to make absolutely sure that the motor in the F150 is in fact a cleveland. 351M's look almost identicle but are much less desireable and are low on power and as bad as an FE on mileage. You can build them to make more power but they never came that way. The only reason I mention it is because a LOT of guys will try to pass off an M as a Cleveland, sometimes dishonestly and sometimes out of pure ignorance.

Second, adding a 5 speed behind a Cleveland shouldn't be tough because (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong) I believe they have a small block bolt pattern for the bellhousing. However, adding one to a 351M will be more difficult because they use a 385 series bell housing bolt pattern (351M, 400, 429, 460). I know 460's came with 5 speeds, but they are a little harder to come by than a small block 5 speed.

I think 4.11's with the od trans will work out nicely, but just know that 1st gear will probably be pretty darn deep, like a granny gear. Either way good luck!

[cdeal28078]

Well, first off you will want to make absolutely sure that the motor in the F150 is in fact a cleveland. 351M's look almost identicle but are much less desireable and are low on power and as bad as an FE on mileage. You can build them to make more power but they never came that way. The only reason I mention it is because a LOT of guys will try to pass off an M as a Cleveland, sometimes dishonestly and sometimes out of pure ignorance.

Second, adding a 5 speed behind a Cleveland shouldn't be tough because (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong) I believe they have a small block bolt pattern for the bellhousing. However, adding one to a 351M will be more difficult because they use a 385 series bell housing bolt pattern (351M, 400, 429, 460). I know 460's came with 5 speeds, but they are a little harder to come by than a small block 5 speed.

I think 4.11's with the od trans will work out nicely, but just know that 1st gear will probably be pretty darn deep, like a granny gear. Either way good luck!

Good info. Probably been as many 351m's sold as Clevelands as 360's sold as 390's
Clevelands are a small block bell housing and 28oz balance unless.
clint

[427]

I had a Cleveland in my 68 once. It ran great. Im not sure what stands I had but i do know when I changed to an fe I used the same stands. If you run headers I used the one for a 76-79 f-100 with a 351m. It worked out for me.Hope this helps some,Brian.

[red403]

Thanks for the info everyone. The cleveland had the water jacket flush with the top of the engine (351m and 400 it was raised up a inch or so) the cleveland had 2 or 4 on the top corner of the head(351m had m, the 400 had nothing) and the bellhousing is smaller for the c than the m or 400. I will run some numbers when I get it out and I will also check the bellhousing. For now the plan is to use the 351c 4 speed with od or 5 speed and the 4:11's. This is going to be my play truck so I don't need it to be great on the highway just to take it to cruises, and it isn't going to the track just as long as I can beat the wife when she is out with our foose truck. I may go with a 460 yet but I think the cleveland done up would give me what I want.

[fordman]

i have seen a cleveland and i have a modified in the garage. the modified does have the number 2 on the corner of the heads. this engine is a 1979 engine. i am guessing it came out of a 79 car of some sort. i think galaxie. if i remember right or it could have been a ltd. anyway. those are the numbers on these heads. i did find internet documentation on the numbers once or twice myself. i think the 400 could have also came with numbers on the heads. both 351m and 400 could also have blank heads. no numbers or letters from what i read also. if you ever see 4 on the corners of the heads it was probably a cleveland. but i have read about aussie heads having maybe 4's and or blank numbered heads. i cant remember if i read anything about the letter m on the heads but i wasnt looking for that at the time i read about them. i hope that helps you.

[427]

To be sure its a Cleveland just pull a valve cover off. Clevelands have staggered valves and modifieds dont. Brian.

[69timemachine]

Since mine is a 240 and the radiator was shot anyway, I went ahead and purchased a '72 F100 302 heavy-duty radiator. It's much larger than the 6 cylinder radiator and the necks are closer to the proper location for the Cleveland necks.

I purchased a pair of 302 engine perches here on the forum.

Someone here on the forum told me about Sanderson Headers. They make a Cleveland/F100 specific header. I plan on ordering a set in the next six weeks or so when I'm close to dropping my Cleveland in. Hope this helps.

[1967AceStroker]

If you have a 2V 351 Cleveland you can use headers for a 351M/400M from a dentside. If you run a 4V 351 Cleveland there is the shorty headers from Sanderson.

Recently somebody told me that his brother runs a 400M in a '78 F150 with 4V Cleveland heads. He uses Hooker Comp, or Super Comp headers for a '71-'73 Mustang 351C 4V. He said they drop right in, no bending, no cutting, no denting. I have yet to try it, but I plan to get a pair and try it. So for now I'm only going by his word.

[crazyhorse]

Red,I put a 351c-4v in a '72 ford pick up & liked it very much. it sounds good too. i think you would be pleased with it.
This might also help you to tell the difference's in these engines.
351M: This engine was produced 1975-1982 as a 2V version only, and looks almost identical to the 351C. In reality, the 351M utilized a taller block shared with the 400 engine, so the engine is both taller and wider, requiring a wider intake manifold in comparison to the 351C. To distinguish a 351M or '75 and later 400 (sometimes termed 400M), look for the telltale vertical rib cast into the top of the block, which extends from the lifter galley over to the base of the distributor. This rib accounts for the taller block deck and exists in the M versions only. Again, "M" is not the VIN tag designator for this engine; a 351M is not the same as the '70-71 "M code" 351C-4V engine.

[69timemachine]

If you have a 2V 351 Cleveland you can use headers for a 351M/400M from a dentside. If you run a 4V 351 Cleveland there is the shorty headers from Sanderson.

That's true. I've heard of people using dentside 351M headers in bumps with Clevelands, but all I could find for the 351M is long-tubes. I would rather have shorties, so I pretty much have to go with Sanderson. I emailed them and the salesman told me to be sure to specify 2V heads when I order. So I assume they make them for 2V and 4V heads.

[papabug71]

I emailed them and the salesman told me to be sure to specify 2V heads when I order. So I assume they make them for 2V and 4V heads.

Thats good aftermarket support right there. Most outfits wont even get back with you on something, let alone give you a straight answer.

[Banjo]

I sure wish I'd have pursued a 351 cleveland in my 68 rather than the 5.0 I poked in it, it already had the small block pattern C-6. A buddy who is supposedly a Ford genius warned me about exhaust problems and scared me away from it. I had a factory Cleveland 4 barrel (71) that was well over 10 to 1 compression and it ran like a raped ape, stock.

[69timemachine]

A buddy who is supposedly a Ford genius warned me about exhaust problems and scared me away from it.

If I hadn't already Ebayed them, I would test fit it with the stock Mustang/Torino manifolds when I drop it in and let everyone know if they could use them in a pinch. But you know how it goes, a project like this requires selling the things you don't need for extra funds. I want to say I have seen some bumps on Ebay or Craigslist with Clevelands and iron manifolds, but I may be wrong. I know I'm using shorty headers for sure, so the manifolds went bye bye.