351 Cleveland Rebuild

Looking @ rebuilding my 70' 351C. I currently have a 74' 2V in my 70 GT fastback. It was actually the engine in the car when I bought it last year. The guy I bought it from gave me the original 70' 4V less 4V heads. I was looking @ going with a Sealed Power rebuild kit from Fel-Pro. The kit has a compression of 10:22:1 and was planning on using the 2V heads from the 74 after I get them ported and polished. Plan on running an Weiand X-CELerator intake with a Holly 670 Street Avenger and Flowtech full length headers. I plan to go .30 over based on the application. I also was entertaining stroking it, but looking for ideas to do it on a limited budget. I know they have kits out there from CHP, Ford Racing, etc... but they're starting around $1800.00 and up.

I'm basically looking to start with 350 to 400 hp, but was looking for other ideas to get from you guys that may have already done it.

Thanks in advance

How much does the Sealed Power kit cost compared to the stroker kit?? if the difference is only a couple hundred bucks, I'd go with the stroker!
However, for 350-400 HP, you can achieve it with just a stock stroke combo. I'd probably use the Edelbrock Performer RPM intake instead of the X-cellerator though.

They have 2 kits from summit. The 9:5:1 ratio sell for $500 and the 10:22:1 ratio for a bit over $700.

Hell.... If those prices for the stroker kits for the Cleveland start at $1800 you could easily get your hands on a 351W block for $100-200 and then get a stroker kit for only around $1200.... The Windsor block has a helluva lot more aftermarket stuff than the Cleveland.

But nevermind, I guess after you add in the price for everything you need to convert to a Windsor block that will put you well over your budget.

And TorinoStyle is correct. You can easily make 350-400hp on a stock Cleveland with a quality rebuild with quality parts. And although the stroker kit could easily make well over 400hp, itll cost a tad bit more.

After mulling some things over, I finally started addressing my '74 2V Cleveland. Here's what I have so far:

600 CFM Holley 4 barrel - to start
Wieand X-celerator single plane intake
Comp Cams Dual Energy Cam and Lifter kit with timing set - 484"/510" (510"/536" gross)
Hi perf Valves - Exhaust- 21-4N Stainless Material / Intake- Specially Alloyed Intake Steel
Hi perf Valve Springs - 110 Lbs@ 1.825 / 340 @ .600" Lift
Comp Cams Hi Energy Push Rods
Crane Points Eliminator Kit
NOS Sniper 100 - 150 shot

Summit was happy with me last Saturday

I know this is a start, but I want to take care of the top end first. Now I do plan to get the heads ported and match the intake, as well as other head upgrades like rockers. However, I wanted to touch base with the ford guys to get your opinion on the spray. I'm not looking to go nuts with it, I just wanted a little extra ummph, before I get the block freshed this fall (0.030 over rebuild as I mentioned in my earlier posts).

Any opinons on what I have so far. There are so many things we can do to get up in the ponies, but considering this engine is mostly stock, I hope to notice some power gains with this top end set-up.

Please give me your .30 cents!

If you still can, cancel the 600 CFM holley and bump up to a 650 DP Holley and pick up a jetting kit while your at it.

yeah I dont know about the NOS kit only because will a 650 cfm even cover the extra fuel needed when you press that little button?

I would suggest looking over at the 335 forum...
Ford 335 "Cleveland" Series Engine Forum

As far as the rebuild goes on the block...I would suggest having the lifter bores bushed with restrictor inserts to solve to top end oiling problems.
The things I have found by reading and talking with the gentleman from MME {one of the top guys in the Engine Masters challenge}.

I am no expert but using the stock crank and good rods and pistons 350-400 hp is more than do-able.
The oil pump thing has been debated alot, but the moroso spring kit on a melling standard volume pump, and call it a day.
I need to honestly read up more on the cylinder heads, I have a '70 2 barrel engine in my 72 torino right now, and I want to rebuilt the 72 CJ engine original to the car but get new heads, like from CHI, some of their 4V heads would seem to fit the bill.

that's my 2 cents, IMHO.
Have a good one.

Well I dont have the original block in the car. The guy I bought it from blew a rod and pulled the '70 4V and drop the '74, which is what I'm working with now. I'm looking at stroker the '70 some time in the future.

Anyways, I have already contacted summet and will exchange the carb for a 4160 750 CFM Holley, DP. The difference will be a few bucks. But considering what I've heard after mentioning 600 CFM single I already have, the upgrade is definitely in the works.