Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
11 messages Options
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Tim Meyer posted on FB today that Hot Rod has recently published a new article on How To Build A 351 Cleveland.

Thought y’all might like to see it. And note what it says about how the “W” and “C” came about. 😉
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

Blacktop
Interesting read, thanks for posting👍
1984 F150 XLT short bed 4x4 351w 4speed manual
1980 F100 long bed 2wd 300-6 3speed manual project truck
🇬🇧UK based truck enthusiast🇬🇧
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

grumpin
In reply to this post by Gary Lewis
Cool! Thanks!
Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

Gary Lewis
Administrator
One of the many reasons I like that article is that it supports my understanding of how and why the 351 cubic inch engines got alpha suffixes, meaning C, M, and W - because they had to differentiate between the engines.  So in at least two of those they used the first initial of the main casting plant where the engines were made.  And, it reinforces my position that since there was only one 400 cubic inch engine it never needed a suffix, and Ford never referred to it as a 400M.

I'd written all that up on the 351M And 400 page almost two years ago, so was pleased to see that a source like Hot Rod agrees.  Given that, and the recent find of the TSB on Power Valve Vacuum Hose, where Ford again uses the terminology of "351M" and "400", I've edited the page on 351M And 400 engines to include those references.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

grumpin
Gary Lewis wrote
One of the many reasons I like that article is that it supports my understanding of how and why the 351 cubic inch engines got alpha suffixes, meaning C, M, and W - because they had to differentiate between the engines.  So in at least two of those they used the first initial of the main casting plant where the engines were made.  And, it reinforces my position that since there was only one 400 cubic inch engine it never needed a suffix, and Ford never referred to it as a 400M.

I'd written all that up on the 351M And 400 page almost two years ago, so was pleased to see that a source like Hot Rod agrees.  Given that, and the recent find of the TSB on Power Valve Vacuum Hose, where Ford again uses the terminology of "351M" and "400", I've edited the page on 351M And 400 engines to include those references.
Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

Gary Lewis
Administrator
🤪
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

85lebaront2
Administrator
Gary, I knew the W and C backgrounds from the 1970 Muscle Parts catalog. It is interesting to note that even Ford was figuring on the 351W to be a stopgap till the 351C was ready. The logic I always heard on the 351M was parts commonality and the ability to use the same transmission case as the 400 and 385 engines once the FE engines were completely phased out.

I still hold that Ford made a big mistake in not at least certifying a 4V version of the 400 for trucks. I honestly think if they had the 460 might well have vanished after 1979. As you, and anyone else who has seen a Bullnose with a 351M/400 vs one with a 460 can attest to, it is a tight fit, because it wasn't intended to be in the F series after 1979, only the E series. I assume it was brought back after the competition started putting 454s in their pickups. I have wondered if a developed 4V 400 as the original Lightning option instead of trying to make the 351W compete for the same market the SS454 Chevy trucks did would have worked, the weight and emission class of the 460, eliminated it from contention in a "half ton" truck after 1979.
Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes, the 400 is hamstrung with the 2bbl carb.  Even the 351HO got a 4bbl, so why not the 400?

A 400 with the right hardware would have been a really strong engine.  In fact, it still IS a really strong engine.  And, as you said, it fits so much better in a Bullnose than a 460.

Brandon and I have a friend, James, who has built many transmissions, transfer cases, and differentials for me.  He has an '80 F350 w/a 400, and a couple of years ago he put an Edelbrock intake and 600 CFM 4bbl on as well as a straight-up timing set.  He swore that it doubled the power on the engine.  Who knows how much each part played in that, but apparently it really woke the engine up - even though it had stock exhaust.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

Angelo Voltura
I sure do love my 400 ;)

https://youtu.be/NWqQ6rkrpmY
1978 F150 351W
1979 F150 "410M"
1979 F100 302
1979 F250 400
1987 F150 300
1990 F150 302
1991 F150 300
1995 F150 (1985 clip swapped) 300
1997 F250 351W
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Sounds good, Angelo.  

But you can embed it here.  Hit "Share" on Youtube, then "Embed", and copy the embed code.  And on here click "Embed" then "Embed Tags" and paste the code between the ">" and the "<":

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Hot Rod on How To Build A 351 Cleveland

Angelo Voltura
Thanks Gary. Still have some WOT issues with shifting, as your can hear I had to pedal  it a hair and when I hammered down she was popping, but she runs damn well.


Minus the recently flattened cam. Ugh.

Now if I could just get WOT upshifting to happen automatically we would be in good shape. She just wont have it unless I let off a little. New modulator, good vacuum, drives perfectly fine at anything less than wide open. Hmm.
1978 F150 351W
1979 F150 "410M"
1979 F100 302
1979 F250 400
1987 F150 300
1990 F150 302
1991 F150 300
1995 F150 (1985 clip swapped) 300
1997 F250 351W