Ford 351 Cleveland V8 Engines (2024)

The 351 Cleveland was introduced in 1969 as Ford's new performance car engine and was built through the end of the 1974 model year. It incorporated elements learned on the 385 big-block series and the Boss 302, particularly the poly-angle combustion chambers with canted valves and the thin-wall casting technology.

Both a 4V (4-barrel carburetor) performance version and a 2V (2-barrel carburetor) basic version were built, both with 2 valves per cylinder. The latter had a different cylinder head with smaller valves, smaller ports, and open combustion chambers to suit its intended applications.

Only the Q-code 351 "Cobra Jet" (1971-1974), R-code "Boss" 351 (1971), and R-code 351 "HO" (1972) versions have 4-bolt mains although all 335 series engines (351C/351M/400) have space for them even in 2-bolt main form. The main difference between 351C/351M/400 engines is connecting rod length and main bearing size. The 351M/400 engines have the largest bearing size and the tallest deck height while sharing the 429/460 bell housing pattern. The 351C engine has a medium main bearing size and shorter connecting rods than the 351W and the 351M/400 while retaining the SBF engine mount locations and bell housing pattern. The 400 engine has the longest stroke of any SBF or 335 series engine.

All of the 351C and 351M/400 engines differ from the 302/351W by having an integrated timing cover casting in the front of the block to which the radiator hose connects.

The M-code version was produced from 1970 through 1971. Both years offered quench heads but 1970 offered a slightly higher (advertised) 11.0:1 compression ratio whereas in 1971 the chamber was opened up slightly reducing the advertised compression to 10.7:1. The 1970 4V head is identified with the proper date code casting and a "4" cast on the upper corner of the head. The 1971 4V head is identified with a "4*" (four-dot) casting at the same location. Hydraulic lifters were also specified, with the M-code producing about 300 hp (224 kW). 2-bolt main caps were used along with a cheaper cast iron intake manifold.

1971 R-code (Boss 351)

The 1971 R-code "Boss 351" used higher compression (11.7:1) with the quench head 4V heads, solid lifters, an aluminum intake manifold, and 4-bolt main caps. so It produced about 330 hp (246 kW).

1972 R-code

The R-code 351 Cleveland for 1972 was considerably different. It had reduced compression for emissions compliance and used open-chamber heads. It had a solid lifter camshaft, however a four barrel carburetor was retained. It produced 275 hp (205 kW) using the new SAE net system.

Q-code (Cobra-Jet)

The Q-code "351 Cobra Jet" version was produced from May 1971 through the 1974 model year. It was a low-compression design that included open-chamber "4V" heads, a special intake manifold, special hi-lift long duration hydraulic camshaft, special valve springs and dampers, a 750 CFM 4300-D Motorcraft Carburetor, dual-point distributor, and 4-bolt main bearing caps. It was rated at 266 hp (198 kW) (SAE net) for 1972 when installed in the Mustang and 248 hp in the Ford Torino and Mercury Montego. The horsepower rating dropped in 1973 to 246 hp for the 4-barrel for the intermediate Fords, and still retained the higher 266 hp rating in the Mustang. The 351 CJ (now referred to simply as the "351 4V") was rated at 255 hp in 1974 and was only installed in the Ford Torino, Mercury Montego and the Mercury Cougar.