StangDreamin'
Founding Member
I believe I already addressed/corrected that misconception in the second post of this thread.Yeah, I started reading and I couldn't believe how almost every post contains misconceptions and incorrect answers! Wow! Just a few things:
1. The 2 bolt and 4 bolt main C blocks are identical except the 4 bolt blocks have extra tapped holes. The castings are the same. Many people say the blocks are about the same in strength, but the 2 bolt blocks have more material in the mains area and so are slightly stronger in those locations.
I keep hearing that, but I also keep finding articles (both "on the Web" and in print) that claim otherwise. I'd guess it's because I look upon a "street" motor as just that - an engine that mostly spins on the street. My Gran was a daily driver until I bought the F100; and then it was still driven more than the truck. That was mostly because it was easier on gas and had generally better "street manners"; especially after the pickup got its 406.2. 4V heads are great for the street. You just want to use the right cam, gears and converter - just like any engine build up.
Yup - I must have missed the post where that (the insane core-shift problem) was mentioned; because I would have refuted it. Oh, wait a minute; I do remember Bryan saying something about it; and I told him I must have been incredibly lucky. I'm almost thinking that Cleveland core-shift issues are like the trouble with "before late-2003" 5.4 cammer motors spitting out plugs - it's a bad problem when (which isn't all the often) it happens. If I suddenly hear a big BANG and my F150 starts smelling like a gasoline fire; I'll probably be singing a different tune, but 'til then "it's all good".3. The C blocks are stronger than W blocks of the same era. Both have casting shift. The false rumors of Cs being weaker is because the stock heads can flow enough to rev REALLY high - enough to over power the cylinder walls.
My answer to the original poster's question is that you can't go wrong with either. However, the C was built by Ford to be a high performance engine, but the 351W was designed more for trucks. I think there are more people/shops who understand the W since it's more common and there are more aftermarket options for the W. However, there's a reason why the Ford Nascar cars still run a Cleveland style head! Also, the Cleveland has a strong aftermarket, motors with CHI aluminum Cleveland heads won the Engine Masters Competition several years in a row. You might have fewer aftermarket options, but the options out there are every bit as good as the W options.
A great low buck mild build would be a 351C with 4V closed chamber heads and Torker intake. It's easy to over cam the C, and you want to make sure you pick the right gears/converter as with any build.
Try the Network 54 Cleveland forums for top notch tech.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/119419/
Agreed.