- Joined
- Mar 10, 2011
- Messages
- 5,960
- Reaction score
- 109
- Location
- Oklahoma
- My Car
- 1971 Boss 351
1971 Mustang Sportsroof
1972 Q Code 4-speed conv.
To clarify-
The 351 Cleveland motor was an optional motor available in the following USA production years/models:
'70-73 Mustang, '70-74 Torino, Ranchero, Cougar and Montego's
Non USA built vehicles including some DeTomaso Panteras and Longchamps also used the 351C "Cobra Jet version. And then there was the Aussie production of the 302C and 351C's - some great related performance motors...
Variations of the USA 351C motor were built for the passenger car and light-duty truck lines and were called the 351M and 400's and while both were derived from the same 335 engine family they are only correctly called the "351M" and "400" engines. BTW "335" is the distance between the centerlines of the camshaft bore and the crankshaft bore.
351C, 351M and 400: 3,35 inches.
Neither of these variants were built as passenger car performance engines. And none of these engines in this 335 engine family were ever installed as a regular production option in any Ford Van - although swaps were VERY common. With much modification the 351M'sand 400's can be made to perform well. With everything else being equal a 351 C or 351 W engine make a much better performance choice. Again Ford built these 351M's and 400's to power heavy family sedans, station wagons some Lincolns and Mercury. and pickups - all requiring decent torque at a lower RPM. The 400 was actually designed off the 351M to pass emission standards that began around 1971 as the old FE 390 would have never been able to meet the more stringent requirements.
Most Ford Marine engines were/are indeed 302, 351W or 460 motors as supplied to various boat manufacturers. Of course over the years inline 6's, Y blocks and even some FE Ford (mated to V-drive speed boats) engines were sold by Ford to be used in marine applications. But no 351 C engines were sold for marine applications. Many think the Ski Nautique boat (manufactured by Correct Craft) came originally with 'marine' 351 Cleveland but they actually were sold with Ford marine-based 351 Windsors.
Good luck with your build. Sounds like you want it to pull hard. Enjoy your car for what it is - a classic Mustang.
Remember many of the newer model performance Mustangs with 600+ reliable, usable HP on tap with air conditioning and crazy tight handling might be able to eat your lunch. A new 6 cyl Mustang has about the same HP as a stock Boss 351 did.
And BTW I have been incorrect before and I am always willing to learn. I like to review information and documentation that may be contrary to what I have posted. If anyone has something please PM me with any reference material/information that supports your position. This is how we all learn and make this site as factual as possible.
Respectfully.
Ray
The 351 Cleveland motor was an optional motor available in the following USA production years/models:
'70-73 Mustang, '70-74 Torino, Ranchero, Cougar and Montego's
Non USA built vehicles including some DeTomaso Panteras and Longchamps also used the 351C "Cobra Jet version. And then there was the Aussie production of the 302C and 351C's - some great related performance motors...
Variations of the USA 351C motor were built for the passenger car and light-duty truck lines and were called the 351M and 400's and while both were derived from the same 335 engine family they are only correctly called the "351M" and "400" engines. BTW "335" is the distance between the centerlines of the camshaft bore and the crankshaft bore.
351C, 351M and 400: 3,35 inches.
Neither of these variants were built as passenger car performance engines. And none of these engines in this 335 engine family were ever installed as a regular production option in any Ford Van - although swaps were VERY common. With much modification the 351M'sand 400's can be made to perform well. With everything else being equal a 351 C or 351 W engine make a much better performance choice. Again Ford built these 351M's and 400's to power heavy family sedans, station wagons some Lincolns and Mercury. and pickups - all requiring decent torque at a lower RPM. The 400 was actually designed off the 351M to pass emission standards that began around 1971 as the old FE 390 would have never been able to meet the more stringent requirements.
Most Ford Marine engines were/are indeed 302, 351W or 460 motors as supplied to various boat manufacturers. Of course over the years inline 6's, Y blocks and even some FE Ford (mated to V-drive speed boats) engines were sold by Ford to be used in marine applications. But no 351 C engines were sold for marine applications. Many think the Ski Nautique boat (manufactured by Correct Craft) came originally with 'marine' 351 Cleveland but they actually were sold with Ford marine-based 351 Windsors.
Good luck with your build. Sounds like you want it to pull hard. Enjoy your car for what it is - a classic Mustang.
Remember many of the newer model performance Mustangs with 600+ reliable, usable HP on tap with air conditioning and crazy tight handling might be able to eat your lunch. A new 6 cyl Mustang has about the same HP as a stock Boss 351 did.
And BTW I have been incorrect before and I am always willing to learn. I like to review information and documentation that may be contrary to what I have posted. If anyone has something please PM me with any reference material/information that supports your position. This is how we all learn and make this site as factual as possible.
Respectfully.
Ray