351 cleveland in 88 ranger 4x4

dekka04 · 06-13-2012, 10:36 PM

hi, i have an 88 ranger 2.9 manual and i want to do a v8 conversion but id like to use a 351 cleveland engine, i didnt start the project yet and all i want accomplished in the next few months is to buy an engine but i was wandering if anyone else has ever done a conversion using cleveland and what trans and rears were used and what fabrication might be needed? any help is greatly appreciated!!

**alwaysFlOoReD** · 06-13-2012, 11:36 PM

Hi dekka04,
Somewhere on this forum is a thread comparing sizes of motors but I can't remember if the cleveland is there. While being classed a small-block it is fairly large, but there are rbv's with 429/460 motors transplanted in so it is possible. Personally I would use an automatic and a 8.8 for ease of transplant. The m5od-r2 from a f-150 with the 4.2L is supposed to fit best and will bolt up but I don't know how strong it is for torque. Do some more searching, maybe something will turn up.
Good luck,

Richard

**dangerranger83** · 06-14-2012, 02:24 AM

If you look on youtube, some people have done a cleveland swap into their ranger. Maybe if you ask them they may give some info on their setup.

85_Ranger4x4 · 06-14-2012, 08:18 AM

I don't think the 351C is much if any larger than a 351W, and 351W's are fairly common for swaps.

--weezl-- · 06-14-2012, 08:23 AM

351c and 351w are very similar, imo, i would go with a w over a c any day, why you might ask? well, yes, the c makes a little more power stock, but the w can handle more power before you start blowing things, 4 bolt mains you see! plus of course, the w is made in windsor ontario, where as the c is made in cleveland ohio, and canada is better...

as for making it fit and stuff, it will work, it will fit, but i think a body lift is required because of the height of the 351... it does make it MUCH easier to do either way though, and gives the truck a more aggressive stance

**dangerranger83** · 06-14-2012, 08:49 AM

I have seen a 2wd with a 351W and no body lift, even a 460 under the hood and no body lift. Im told the Clevelands are the ones to have due to the 4 bolt mains and they have ribbings in the blocks to make them stronger. In the end, a v8 under the hood of a ranger is badass!!!

The only things that come from Canada that are better are the women, man are they hot, but not worth living in the cold for.

85_Ranger4x4 · 06-14-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by --weezl--

351c and 351w are very similar, imo, i would go with a w over a c any day, why you might ask? well, yes, the c makes a little more power stock, but the w can handle more power before you start blowing things, 4 bolt mains you see! plus of course, the w is made in windsor ontario, where as the c is made in cleveland ohio, and canada is better...

as for making it fit and stuff, it will work, it will fit, but i think a body lift is required because of the height of the 351... it does make it MUCH easier to do either way though, and gives the truck a more aggressive stance

W's as a whole are wallowing pigs in stock trim, basically most of the ones to make into cars are the choked down smog special crap ones... the truck ones are set up to be in trucks.

The W has a lot more aftermarket support though, which is good because IMO it will need it to match a C.

The only 351W's with four bolt mains have aftermarket blocks, some 351C's had 4 bolt mains from the factory.

And my 302 "Windsor" was made in Cleveland.

dekka04 · 06-15-2012, 07:14 AM

So im still stuck on finding a 351 c so i was also wandering, what tranny and rear ends would work the best?

Id like to stick with a manual tranny too if possible?

I will be doing a body lift eventually so tht will probablymake it easier to work with.

Any other suggestions? turbos? nitrous oxide?

**dangerranger83** · 06-15-2012, 10:04 AM

Before anything, know what you want to use the truck for. DD street, drag, offroad, show, combo of them, etc...

After that then you can answer most of the questions yourself.

dekka04 · 06-16-2012, 03:43 PM

well, i think kinda a combo of those uses, not to much for drags but for show and driving

fordmike1 · 06-16-2012, 07:08 PM

Most Clevelands were of the 2V type and they by all means were not any better then a 2V windsor. Good luck on finding a 4bolt Cleveland block as most were 2bolt mains. The Windsor engine is a much more modern design and has way more aftermarket support so making power with it is way easier and cheaper. Leave the Clevelands to the guys that are wanting to restore their old Fords to show and sit in their garages. Windsors are the kings of SBF's for making real horsepower in todays world.

91ranger4.0 · 06-21-2012, 08:15 AM

i believe clevlands had bigger heads.

06-13-2012, 10:36 PM	#1
dekka04 New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: 2.9L Ranger XLT Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	351 cleveland in 88 ranger 4x4 hi, i have an 88 ranger 2.9 manual and i want to do a v8 conversion but id like to use a 351 cleveland engine, i didnt start the project yet and all i want accomplished in the next few months is to buy an engine but i was wandering if anyone else has ever done a conversion using cleveland and what trans and rears were used and what fabrication might be needed? any help is greatly appreciated!!
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06-13-2012, 11:36 PM	#2
alwaysFlOoReD Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: red deer canada Year: '91, '85, '97 Make: ford Model: ranger, b-II, f-150 Engine: 4.0,4.0,4.2 Class: 4x4 race, 4x4, 2wd work Used For: 4x4 race, 4x4,2wd work Posts: 3,147 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (0)	Hi dekka04, Somewhere on this forum is a thread comparing sizes of motors but I can't remember if the cleveland is there. While being classed a small-block it is fairly large, but there are rbv's with 429/460 motors transplanted in so it is possible. Personally I would use an automatic and a 8.8 for ease of transplant. The m5od-r2 from a f-150 with the 4.2L is supposed to fit best and will bolt up but I don't know how strong it is for torque. Do some more searching, maybe something will turn up. Good luck, Richard __________________ As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
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06-14-2012, 02:24 AM	#3
dangerranger83 5.0 HO under the hood!!! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lafayette, IN Year: 1983 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 5.0 HO carbed with an np435 and np208 Class: 4x4 Used For: My DD, play toy Posts: 6,366 Rep Power: 32 iTrader: (1)	If you look on youtube, some people have done a cleveland swap into their ranger. Maybe if you ask them they may give some info on their setup. __________________ Build thread, 5.0 swap happening now!!!! Click me 5.0 HO carbed, np435 with an np208 transfercase, 32 inch BFGoodrich M/T's, D30 SAS with 6.5 XJ coils, 63 inch leaves in rear.
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06-14-2012, 08:18 AM	#4
85_Ranger4x4 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Between Omaha & Des Moines Year: 1985 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 5.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: A weapon of massive consumption. Posts: 11,201 Rep Power: 51 iTrader: (0)	I don't think the 351C is much if any larger than a 351W, and 351W's are fairly common for swaps. __________________ 1985 Ford Ranger Custom, 4x4, PA 3" BL, 5.0 HO wannabe, C5 Transmixer, 31 spline T/L 8.8 w/ disc brakes. Build Thread My Ranger is not old; no one would call her old. She has a bluff bow, lovely lines. She's a fine truck: weatherly, stiff and fast... very fast, if she's well handled. No, she's not old; she's in her prime.
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06-14-2012, 08:49 AM	#6
dangerranger83 5.0 HO under the hood!!! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lafayette, IN Year: 1983 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 5.0 HO carbed with an np435 and np208 Class: 4x4 Used For: My DD, play toy Posts: 6,366 Rep Power: 32 iTrader: (1)	I have seen a 2wd with a 351W and no body lift, even a 460 under the hood and no body lift. Im told the Clevelands are the ones to have due to the 4 bolt mains and they have ribbings in the blocks to make them stronger. In the end, a v8 under the hood of a ranger is badass!!! The only things that come from Canada that are better are the women, man are they hot, but not worth living in the cold for. __________________ Build thread, 5.0 swap happening now!!!! Click me 5.0 HO carbed, np435 with an np208 transfercase, 32 inch BFGoodrich M/T's, D30 SAS with 6.5 XJ coils, 63 inch leaves in rear.
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06-15-2012, 07:14 AM	#8
dekka04 New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: 2.9L Ranger XLT Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	So im still stuck on finding a 351 c so i was also wandering, what tranny and rear ends would work the best? Id like to stick with a manual tranny too if possible? I will be doing a body lift eventually so tht will probablymake it easier to work with. Any other suggestions? turbos? nitrous oxide?
	Tweet

06-15-2012, 10:04 AM	#9
dangerranger83 5.0 HO under the hood!!! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lafayette, IN Year: 1983 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 5.0 HO carbed with an np435 and np208 Class: 4x4 Used For: My DD, play toy Posts: 6,366 Rep Power: 32 iTrader: (1)	Before anything, know what you want to use the truck for. DD street, drag, offroad, show, combo of them, etc... After that then you can answer most of the questions yourself. __________________ Build thread, 5.0 swap happening now!!!! Click me 5.0 HO carbed, np435 with an np208 transfercase, 32 inch BFGoodrich M/T's, D30 SAS with 6.5 XJ coils, 63 inch leaves in rear.
	Tweet

06-16-2012, 03:43 PM	#10
dekka04 New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: 2.9L Ranger XLT Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	well, i think kinda a combo of those uses, not to much for drags but for show and driving
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06-16-2012, 07:08 PM	#11
fordmike1 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Back in Queen Creek, AZ Year: 1994 & 1983 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 5.0l Class: 2WD Street Posts: 416 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	Most Clevelands were of the 2V type and they by all means were not any better then a 2V windsor. Good luck on finding a 4bolt Cleveland block as most were 2bolt mains. The Windsor engine is a much more modern design and has way more aftermarket support so making power with it is way easier and cheaper. Leave the Clevelands to the guys that are wanting to restore their old Fords to show and sit in their garages. Windsors are the kings of SBF's for making real horsepower in todays world. __________________ 1/20/13 Change we all can belive in ! !
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06-21-2012, 08:15 AM	#12
91ranger4.0 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: maryland Year: 1991 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: basically stock 4x4 Used For: wheeling slingin much and crawling the mall parking lot Posts: 28 Rep Power: 3 iTrader: (0)	i believe clevlands had bigger heads. __________________ 91 ranger 4.0 5 speed handshaker 3in bl 14/36.5-15 on/offroad rvts. cut fenders. forsale 85 kingpin 60 with dually hubs all steering calipers and rotors 850obo.
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