351 cleveland in 88 ranger 4x4

[dekka04]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[--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

 

[dangerranger83]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[fordmike1]

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]

i believe clevlands had bigger heads.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i believe clevlands had bigger heads.

Slightly.

The later Windsors had pretty much the same heads as a 302... and they were for the most part marginal for a 302. Even the "good" 351W heads were not that great on a 351W.

The 351W has much better aftermarket than a Cleveland... which is handy because it will need it to keep up... even the 2bb 351C. They have both bigger ports and valves from the get-go.

It really depends on what you are going to do with it. If you want something fun to drive around either would be a good choice, the later model 351W (which are still pushing 20 years old) will probably be a healthier JY find than a 40 year old 351C but if you find a good one of either it will be a fun ride.

If you are going for a straight up drag truck where you are basically only going to use the block and maybe the crank/rods... 351W is the only way to go.

 

[--weezl--]

ford still produces a 351w crate motor, iirc, and was available in the f-250 until atleast 97...

 

[Jfive]

As far as strong goes, the 351C and 351W are both really good. The 69 351w is probubly the best, but harder to find. The C has better heads from the factory in 2v or 4v. 2v heads have good runners and 2.04 intake and 1.67 exhaust valves. I think the best 351w heads have 1.94 1.60 valves. The 4v had 2.19 1.71 valves and big runners, but they are really best designed for higher rpm racing. Some of the best aftermarket heads out there are for the 351c. Do to the large amount of these engines being used in australia, a few companys down there came up with great aftermarket cylinder heads. They have good cranks and everything you need to build up to a 800+hp engine. The Windsor has alot of options too, but If you want to build a decent 400+hp engine the cleveland can be done with alot of factory parts. Check out CHI if you want to see the best heads out there. 351c is about the same size as the W, its the 351M that has the tall deck and bigger shape. There are alot of guys having good luck with the windsor in high hp applications where they use the stock crank even, and get into the 9s with 600+rwhp. I personally am building a 351w, but I think the bottem end of the 2 bolt windsor is better than the 2 bolt cleveland. Not a whole lot, but enough. Alot of people like the 1994 to 1996/7 truck efi motors. Seen them get to 800rwhp. Hope this helps make a decision.