351 Cleveland summary so far:
 

Guys, I just found out my 351 Cleveland has 2V heads. I know the 4V heads have bigger ports and valves, and are capable of higher power levels at higher revs. What I don't know is, what is my 2V engine capable of? Is it just a boat anchor because of it's heads, or is there some real potential? Right now I have no idea what pistons are in it, I would assume they're stock, whatever came on a "normal" 2V engine. What was the usual? It has headers, an Edelbrock F351 2V intake, a Holley 6619 600 CFM vac secondary carb, MSD 6AL ignition. I have no idea what cam is in there, she idles like Dad's old LTD so if it's anything, it 'aint much. I guess the questions I have are:

I need to rebuild the carb. Do I rebuild this one, or is there a better carb choice?

Best guess for compression ratio

Should I bother putting a cam in, or does the 2V head make it a lost cause

Does the low compression ratio make it a lost cause?

If I remove the oil pan while the engine is out, with the underside of the pistons have ID numbers letting me know what the compression is?

If it pays to change cams, what cam should I put in (standard trans., by the way)

Given what I have now, but with the cam and carb you suggest, what estimated power levels am I looking at?

This engine had an automatic transmission behind it when I got the Cobra (hey, don't blame me - I didn't do it). What flywheel should I put on? I've seen zero balance, 28(?) oz, and fifty something oz. What does this engine need? Recommended clutch?

Does anyone out there make an engine mounted radiator fill tank like the FE's use for the Cleveland?

Thanks, guys, I know us new Cleveland owners can be a pain, but it's my first Cleveland, and I know zero about them.

Cleveland
 

From what I understand the 2v C heads are better for the street. The 4v flow to much air unless your rev'ing 7000 plus range. The 600 carb is the right size, the rest I don't know. Go to Comp Cam's site, get their cam spec sheet, file out as much as you can and call them, they will not answer an email. Let them help you pick a cam. You can call Lunati and compair the too. Best of luck. There are a few "C" on this form so there is some real help out there.
Dwight

http://holley.com/ Lunati

http://www.compcams.com/

The 2V heads will probably perform better than the 4Vs in most usage. The big port/valve heads don't really start working until probably 3000 rpm and up. The 2V heads use app. the same size valve as a 460, so I wouldn't worry about it being a boat anchor. The biggest drawback, or was when Sunoco 260 was 19 cents a gallon, is they have open chamber heads which has lower compression. Not such a big deal anymore. I would identify the cam before seeking a new one, it may have a nice one already. When you get it removed there should be identifying #s on it, usually on and end. All sb Fords used a 28 oz weighted flywheel early on and only changed long after the Cleveland left the building.

I think the earlier heads both 2 and 4v were higher compression than the later versions were after the oil imbargo and the low octane fuels they threw at us

The 2v head is the best cleveland head for a driver and even it has a tendency to run better at higher speeds. There was also some changes made to the way the rocker arms fastened down if I remember right

You can take your flywheel to a balance shop and have them put weight on it to nuetral balance and then transfer that to another flywheel to see if it zero balances which will identify what weight it is???? I do it all the time on questionable flywheel/clutch changes, its just hard to explain ---

the 6619 holley is a good choice and all the holley tuning tips work fine--

Let me throw this back at you, what do you hope to accomplish?

Street?
Track?
Drag?

From there, you can then plan your engine adventure.

If you are going high RPM, track, there are options to consider. Street can be any assortment of things from a CAM to full B & B with all new parts.

Just my $0.02

The real problem with the open chamber design is that even though it will give you lower compression it will actual cause more detonation than the closed chamber ones. The Aussie 2v heads are a better choice, they have the smaller ports and valves for low end torque and the more efficient quench chamber. The 4v heads on a cobras motor will make plenty of torque because you don't have to push an extra 1000lbs. around it's more of a factor in a Mustang or larger car. You can always stroke the motor to make better use of the 4v ports