Blown4.6 said:
I've got the stock timing in front of me...0 degrees advance for all years. This only difference was compression.
and more
The advance for the 351C is 10 deg MINIMUM then tune UP from there. The cam (lift, duration), pistons (compression) and combustion chamber(compression again) were different from '71 to '72 4V and HO.
Actually mid '71 saw the creation of the "low-compression" M-code 351CJ (open chamber) to replace the "high-compression" M-code 351 4V (closed chamber). The open chamber CJ only lost 5 HP to the closed chamber 4V AND passed the emission tests of the day. So you had 280 HP at the flywheel instead of 285 HP with all acc. hooked up and running. The '72 351 HO was a De-tuned version of the '71 Boss 351 with open chamber heads and was still one of the quickest production cars on the market for its day.
The 351 Boss was factory rated at 330 HP and the factory rating was on the light side for ins. reasons. The 351 Boss was the fastest "Production" small block for '71 according to 2 or 3 different magazine tests. IMHO this is impressive when you consider how heavy the '71 Mustang is when compared to other cars of the time, especially the 350 'Vette.
Now I would not look forward to running a stock '71 'Vette through serious twisties with a stock '71 Boss but it would be FUN! And who knows, the Boss just might win.
On the dragstrip it would be the Boss hands down. I know because I saw it often enough in the mid '70's.
REMEMBER: We are talking STOCK!!! Even today my friends that own and LOVE 'Vettes (as in that is ALL they own or drive) will tell you that they would rather run against a stock BB than a stock Boss 351. Does that mean the Boss is the be-all, end-all of small blocks? NO! It just shows how much RESPECT they have for it and that the 351 Boss is a solid performer.
I don't wanna start a pissin' contest with you or anyone else but I wish people would get their facts straight before they post dis-information in response the legit question that started this thread.
To answer that question :
The 351W was developed for everyday use on the street in cars and trucks and traces its history to the 289/302 family tho the blocks are different.
The '69 351W 4V was a VERY respectable street performer in that it had the same factory HP rating as the Boss 302 (in street tune), more usable Torque in the lower RPM range and was drop dead dependable.
The 351C was bred from the start to be a high rev'ing, high performance engine for Fords racing program and it turned out to be a great street motor, especially in 2V form.
The designations "W" & "C" come from the engine plants that produced the powerplants.
Windsor, Ontario, Canada and
Cleveland, Ohio respectively.
The 351M was a De-stroked 400M. They are both "roughly" in the Cleveland line of engine development. The "M" comes from Modified as in a different block deck height and other internal changes. At least I think those are the only changes.
The 352 was a MUCH older design from the same '50's era "Y-Block" family as the 312 of Thunderbird fame.
Someone mentioned the "Clevor" and I'll say that the development was never taken far enough. Kinda sad when you think about it since Ford started the whole thing with the Boss 302. Can you imagine the guy at Ford that thought this one up? Hmmm, Lets see... 302 block & crank, 289 rods, special pistons & intake and Cleveland 4V heads with REALLY big valves. Can you say "SCREAMER"?
Thats enough history for one day.
Paul
P.S. I forgot to give my cudos to the competition. 327, the best small block Chevy ever built. 427, the best big block Chevy ever built. 340, the best small block Mopar ever built. 426 Hemi, the best big block Mopar ever built (though the 440 gives it a run for the money). This is just MY OPINION!!!