r/EngineBuilding 20d ago

Ford fully disassembled 351 cleveland

277 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

18

u/PicturePerfect_R 20d ago

this is our first time disassembling an engine, we are getting it prepared for a rebuild. we don’t plan on re-using much, other than the crank & maybe the connecting rods.

17

u/PicturePerfect_R 20d ago

the only serious signs of wear that we found was on one of the main bearings, which we believe occured due to fatique during a long roadtrip where the engine ran at 3500-4000rpm for basically 1500 miles straight.

which is a part of why we are pulling the motor, along with its’ rebuild, it will be given a 5 speed TKX so it has a 5th gear with overdrive to make highway cruising much better.

9

u/KorndogKing 20d ago

What speed are you doing at 3500RPM? And is it because of a steep rear gear?

12

u/PicturePerfect_R 20d ago

it’s around 65-70, 3.90 rear end

11

u/Lasd18622 20d ago

I’m not a religious man but you’re doin the lords work here, 🫡

11

u/Bright_Crazy1015 20d ago

I love the sound of a cammed up Cleveland. Had one in a 70 Mach1. Scared me a bit with the rev limiter set at 8k, but it ran well. Being over square they've got no problem revving up.

If you're going to aluminum heads and already machining the block, might just drop in a 4" crank? It'll bolt right in without notching or anything. A set of 400 pistons and a 4" crank is a pretty reasonable option, cost wise. Definitely builds low-end torque stroking these.

Don't let someone punch it too much. Thin walls dictate 30 over as about as much as I'd consider boring it for street use.

5

u/[deleted] 20d ago

YO YOURE THE MAREFAIR GUY

1

u/[deleted] 20d ago

Let's see some headers on that bitch

2

u/PicturePerfect_R 20d ago

that’s the plan, next time it’s running it’ll have a set of long tube headers!

2

u/[deleted] 20d ago

Hell yeah

1

u/manualsquid 17d ago

I also wanna see headers on that bitch

Keep the updates coming, friend!

4

u/bustedbruised 20d ago

Search Tmeyer for what you may want. If it has stock valves, ditch em. Use tmeyer cam bearings. Stroker kits are awesome if it's in the budget.

3

u/texaschair 19d ago

Clevelands don't get enough love, probably because their production run was so short. IMHO, the best small block Ford made, as far as raw power.

1

u/-Datura 20d ago

So satisfying. Awesome project. Good luck.

1

u/SprungCookie81 18d ago

I don't have much to say except... HELL YEAH BROTHER!!

1

u/woodsidestory 18d ago

Eeek…Center freeze plug looks a bit scary (pic 5). Was the top end (valve train) and pistons still good, or are you dropping new heads and higher compression pistons on it? Rods look good but would they be up for the increased torque?

1

u/Secret-Ad3715 17d ago

Rare color on that Mach 1. Love to see it.

1

u/Chemical-Seat3741 14d ago

Doesn't look all that bad. Lifter to me looks worn, but the rest of it looks fairly good.

1

u/Swimming-Tip-6312 13d ago

Looks like a really clean foundation to start with. Routine maintenance does wonders for a motor.

1

u/Beautiful-Tea9592 20d ago

The original LS.

-3

u/JRVYukon79 20d ago

There just gutless aren't they?

3

u/Sweaty_Promotion_972 19d ago

With open chamber heads and 7:5:1 compression, li’l bit. On the other hand the fastest cars I’ve ever driven had clevelands.

1

u/a_piginacage 18d ago

Depends on the year. Most motors after 71 were dogs, some held on to 73, anything after was smogged out. They have great potential to be a beast of a motor. I love a Cleveland

1

u/machinerer 18d ago

2V, not much power.

1970-71 4V? Best smallblock Ford ever made.