So I have purchased a 351W short block from a coworker for my little Maverick and am planning my build. My shock towers have already been clearanced for a 351C by the previous owner (he then kept the 302. Go figure.) I want to do something that would be cool and different and irritate my GM friends, so a 351 "mock" boss seems like an obvious choice. My real worry is about headers. I have heard that 351C swap headers for 64.5-73 Mustangs will work with the clearanced shock towers, but I'm a little worried about how the taller deck of the W will affect crossmember clearance. I'm thinking about a ProMotion T5 swap anyway, so if I make my own crossmember, then should I even be mentally wringing my hands over it at all? Thanks.
I'm familiar with Cleveland heads being installed on the 302, as in Boss 302, but not on a 351W - wouldn't this be different enough that no headers are made to fit?
That's what I'm curious about. The 351 I bought is the later one with the 9.5" and the Cleveland is at 9.2". I'm pretty sure a quarter inch or so won't hurt much. Maybe I can get around the crossmember issue with a good old BFH, but I would like to know about starter clearance. Maybe I'll just build the darn thing and if it doesn't work, I'll put it in my F100.
Your best bet would be to contact Tubular Automotive in regards to the headers. Installing Cleveland type heads on a 351 Windsor block is nothing new. A variation of it was raced in NASCAR up to the point when the FR9 engine took it's place. Still used in ARCA. It is essentially a tall deck Boss 302. If I were to do it, I would stroke it up to a 408, especially if you were going to use 4V iron heads. Otherwise, you are going to a lot of extra work to create a 351 Clevor. At stock stroke, the 351 Cleveland would be a better route since TA already makes headers to fit that combo in a Maverick.
Thanks for the advice! My plan is to just use the Edelbrock Clevor heads and intake, since I don't have any of that stuff anyway. I already have the Windsor short block and would love to make it a stroker, but unless I decide to make a drag car, can't see the benefit for the cost. I think 351 cubes is plenty for a weekend/roadtrip/autocross car. I really do want to stand back and smile while my GM fan friends freak out over how "unfair" it is to be using "big block" (hahaha!) heads on a small block.
Maybe, maybe not. I was making a joke about how Clevelands are often disregarded as a "big block" by GM fans because of...reasons.
This subject also has me interested heres the aussie heads..thry have 2v a d 4v both closed chambers http://www.ausfordparts.com/afd4v.html Heres a good read and losts a place to get stuff ..Busch performance http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/30220-clevor-engine/ Wjat do the trickflow and AFR 351 heads flow? Tje aussie head flows 330cfm
You could also do an lsx head swap but it requires custom cam and intake..or intake spacers..or backwards mounted ls intake with spacers
These are the heads I'm looking at. A few different companies make pistons for it, and so far as I can tell, the cam can be a regular Windsor grind. http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/mc/cylinder-heads/ford/performer-rpm-clevor.shtml
Also, the LS thing is sort of hilarious, now that I looked up a little bit about it. The LS is a Cleveland, sorta. Who knew?
I'm not sure where you want to go with this build? Do you just want to have a different look by building the Clevor? ($1,549 for bare heads plus a unique intake and possibly custom headers) Not an inexpensive proposition! If you are just going for the look and some performance gain go with a set of stock 351C 2 barrel heads and the unique manifold and headers. Building a Maverick or Comet with a 351W with stock or aftermarket SBF heads with tall valve covers is impressive in itself! If you want that Windsor to perform, go with a set of aftermarket SBF heads and associated intake manifold and headers. Those Aussie heads have an intake port size of 235cc, no wonder they flow 330cfm at .700 lift. By contrast AFR 195cc heads flows 315cfm at.650 lift and cost $1600 complete and do not require a special manifold; and headers are readily available. You are not going to be making much low or mid-range torque with those big port Aussie heads! Your Clevor will have to be screaming at high RPM to perform. Just my opinion!
You can get tbe aussie heads in 185, 195 and larger they seem to flow better on intake side vs al windsor heads..but less flow on exhaust side
Another clevor link http://www.strokerengine.com/CHIcleveland.html Ill def agree and say jjust build a 351w with AFR heads will have less money in it..less beadaches from header fitment? Even if tne clevor would be topend monster street you dont really neeed to rev past 5500/6000rpms
