When I proposed building a 351C for this book, Jim Grubbs of JGM Performance Engineering hauled out a fresh D2AE-CA four-bolt main block and boldly suggested 600 hp at 7,500 rpm. That’s when I contacted Alan Davis at Eagle Specialties for a 4340 steel crank, H-beam rods, and Mahle forged and coated pistons to fill […]
How to Build a 500 Horsepower Ford 351 Cleveland Engine
There are two Cleveland engine builds for you here: one from Trick Flow Specialties and another from Hot Rod magazine contributor Jeff Huneycutt of www.horsepowermonster.com. Each of these builds shows what can be done with both the 351C and 400 given budget and savvy engine-building technique. Trick Flow Specialties Trick Flow recognized the dilemma […]
Building 351 Cleveland Power: 400 Horsepower Build
It isn’t hard to get 400 hp from a 351C. All you need is the right combination of parts, including CNC-ported, factory, iron-head castings from Powerheads and a budget stroker kit, and get ready for great street power. Here are two examples: one from MCE Engines and one from TMeyer, Inc. MCE Engines Marvin […]
How to Break-In Your Ford 351 Cleveland Engine
Begin engine tuning with proper break-in. Regardless of what type of cam you have (roller or fl at-tappet), the rules of proper break-in apply to every type of engine because you want to seat rings and bearings with a proper run-in. When the engine fires, confirm oil pressure and take it immediately to 2,500 rpm […]
Tuning Your Ford 351 Cleveland Engine
When you fi re your Cleveland for the first time, you get a rush of excitement and anticipation because all of your hard work either proves or disproves itself with the roar of combustion. Don’t get so caught up in the experience, however, that you forget what you’re supposed to be doing. Preparation is everything […]
Ford 351 Cleveland Engine Guide: Exhaust Systems
As much as we’ve complained about noise ordinances in the years since “back in the day,” people are finding noise just isn’t cool anymore. Open headers may free up horsepower, but torque and your hearing suffer as a consequence. Racers are learning there’s torque hidden in those silencers. Companies such as Flowmaster, Magnaflow, Hooker, and […]
351 Cleveland Ignition Guide: Distributor Sources
Unfortunately, there’s not much good to say about Ford distributors because they’re just not up to the job of high-RPM use. The Autolite/Motorcraft distributor family consists of distributors with bronze bushings, with some having only one bushing and others having two. Because oil distribution is so poor, bushings and shafts wear out quickly causing side […]
Ford 351 Cleveland Engine Breaker-Point Ignition Tips
Point-triggered (breaker-point) ignition is a simple on/off switch that opens and closes the primary ignition circuit to charge the coil and reduce a brief discharge of high-energy current to fire a spark plug. It can be debated who invented the breaker high-energy discharge ignition system, but who cares? What you’re interested in knowing is how it […]
Ford 351 Cleveland Engine Ignition Guide: Timing
Adjusting ignition timing must be performed with a timing light with an accurate harmonic balancer. Be sure your harmonic balancer has its timing marks properly indexed. You’d be surprised how many times you get it wrong using a worn-out balancer or one improperly indexed from the factory. Even a new harmonic balancer must be checked […]
Ford 351 Engine Induction Guide: Nitrous Oxide
The first thing to remember with nitrous oxide is that it makes fuel burn faster. This means you must be mindful of what it can do, both productively and counterproductively. All that instantaneous power comes for a reason. As a result, extraordinary attention to detail must be paid on the road to power. Using nitrous […]