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Superformance Engine Choice
Could anyone tell me of the pitfalls of installing a 351 Cleveland in a Superformance? I notice on their website they support Windsors and FE's and 429/460's and Mod. engines, but don't mention Clevelands. I realize these are more popular choices, but anyone that owned a Boss 351 back in the day will understand why this is my engine of choice.
Thanks, Gordon |
I may be wrong on this, but I believe the main issue is availably and price.
There's just not that many of them out there, and that drives up the cost of the parts. I do not remember ever seeing where SPF made headers for the Cleveland either, so you would have that issue to contend with also. And you are correct, they were great motors. |
Correct, the Cleveland will fit but we do not have factory headers for the application. As the volume of Cleveland installs would be low, Superformance does not have jigs for the headers required. It can be done, but you will be on your own to fab or modify a set of headers to mate to the exhausts.
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A Cleveland uses the same mounts/bellhousing/flywheel/etc. as a Windsor, but as mentioned above, the exhaust flange is different.
However, with all the different cylinder heads that are put on small blocks with these cars, I'm sure someone out there makes a set of flanges, or even complete headers for them. Cleveland parts aren't that hard to find. I have access to several Cleveland blocks, with one in my possession right now. If I were going this route, then I would use the CHI or AFD heads. Any particular reason you wanted to go Cleveland? |
Flanges and even headers are available, but the off the shelf headers are not made to hookup/meet the Superformance exhausts. Now, you can buy a set of Cleveland street rod headers and modify them to work, but there will be some cutting/welding/cursing required.
Like most all non-standard operations, your results may vary! |
Since my first new car was a 71 Boss 351 Mustang, (and I've missed it ever since), I am going to combine my passion for this car and my love of the Cobra into one package. Going for old school solid lifter sound. I have also located a bargain 351 Cleveland that has never been apart. Factory stickers, engine tag, original paint etc. Not a Boss, but a Cleveland none the less. Yes, I am planning CHI or Trick Flow heads. Not familiar with AFD. What can you tell me about them?
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Just a guess, but Brent may have wanted to write AFR, which is Air Flow Research.
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Also, a place like Sanderson Headers here in South San Francisco can make a custom set of headers and exhaust for virtually any application, but the downside is cost. I had a custom set of headers for an old Corvette that cost around $1,500-$2,000. I also brought them the car.
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Rod, I indeed meant AFD (AirFlowDynamics)....they are a manufacturer for aluminum Cleveland heads.
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Cleveland motors
I have three Cleveland motors and two blocks for sale. I have one four bolt main block. Cheap. I need the room. I have 21 motors and blocks in my shop and these five are still on the trailer in Coach's shop. We'll need the trailer in June. I need to clean it off ASAP.
Dwight |
I would start with a set of 302 headers and have them modded and recoated.
they would have the distance and extra tubing for such a project. a good capable custom header shop should be able to get you what you need, then get them ceramic coated to match. any 40 year old motor you find should be taken to a shop and have them take it apart and get cleaned and regasketed. in addition new valve springs and guides are in order, as they have been in one position for far too long ( springs ) and the guides would be from before unleaded was a "thing" to take into consideration with gasoline ( aka benzina ) -- Steve |
There is a guy making new Cleveland blocks with some improvements. My machinist does the machine work on the raw blocks and builds them for the Pantera crowd. If you're interested in the new Cleveland blocks, contact Mark McKeown at McKeown Motorsports McKeown Motorsport Engineering, Inc.
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I looked into this ( using Chi Cleveland heads on Dart Block ...light years ahead of a Cleveland block ) . Easy to get the flanges, but its not as easy as just cutting the flanges and rewelding on the primary tubes since the exhaust flange angle is totally different. By the time I mocked it up I decided it wasn't worth the effort just to be different . There is suprisingly little room in the Superformance to rearrange new primary tubes. BTW - I'm set up to notch / cut / weld tubes to build headers but I didn't think it was worth it for the gains with the Cleveland style heads. Might still tackle it some other year !!
I just wanted the looks of the canted valve head in my car. The reality is you can make more than enough power using good aftermarket AFR , Dart , Brodix etc heads on a wedge style motor like the Windsor expecially when you use a 4.125 bore Dart block If you are still wanting to tackle this, go with a Dart block, Chi / AFD heads if you want the Canted valves. No real reason to stuff a Ford Cleveland bottom end in there. By the time you are done all the machine work etc on a Cleveland short block you can buy a new Dart / Scat rotating assembly short block |
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