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351c vs 352 fe

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22K views 29 replies 17 participants last post by  n2omike  
#1 ·
Hey guys, new to the forum, long time ford lover... I'm starting a 66 f100 build, and I want a diff power plant then every one else is using. The truck has the original 352 that runs and drives. I also have a 351c 2v that came out of an ltd, so its nothing special. I want to use one of these motors but not sure wich is best for may app. I am not planing on taking this truck down the track, I just want it to be a driver. Another thing is that my buddy has a 70 torino with a 429. Is there any way I can make one of these motors run with his?
 
#4 ·
. Another thing is that my buddy has a 70 torino with a 429. Is there any way I can make one of these motors run with his?
Not without some serious work and you will probably lose the "driver" part of the equation that you want if you do...I had a low compression 351C 2V out of a 72 mustang in my 66 F100 and it was quite gutless..The cleveland can be built to make lots of power but normally its geared towards higher rpm because of the big ports in the heads.Not really truck friendly in my opinion....I also had a 352 in that pickup with a 4V intake and heads from a 390 on it....I was very impressed with it and I actually thought it was a 390 until I tore it down for a rebuild...I would stick with the FE but think about bumping it up in size...That way you will gain power but keep it stock or near stock for excellent driveability..You can put all the money you saved by not swapping to a different engine familly into parts for the FE motor..
 
#9 ·
Thanks for all the info guys! I think I'm leaning towards kepping the 352, since it is the original motor, and I should be able to get some desent hp out of it for what I want it for. Maby I will put a 429 in my 70 stang to run with the torino! What about the tranny in the truck? It's got a four speed right now but I think I want to put a auto in it? What you guy's think?
 
#11 ·
I think if you are going to put an auto in it, I would use an AOD. Having an overdrive gear is everything if you are going to drive/cruise it. It allows for more rear end gear and still makes hwy cruise rpm acceptable. They are fairly easy to rebuild and you can find them in any salvage yard.
 
#14 ·
OK, I am an old FE guy, but love them all.

Here's the scoop though, you need to think about what RPM you plan on driving, and how you plan on running the truck

A 352 with headers, a good intake, a recurved distributor, and a 4 barrel will run very strong, especially with a short tire and a 3.50-3.70 gear.

With that setup, a C-6 with a stout shift kit will be fun to drive.

Then, the next step will be a rebuild, bore .050 and add 390 internals and a cam, and it'll be a blast once again.

Now if you want a drag racer, then bite the bullet now and start with a 429 or 460, because if you think you may get real serious later, the 429 is a better base for power, however, its not required for a very solid hot rod truck

I personally would not go with a 351C in any circumstances, they run great if built right, but for the effort involved, if you are going with something that did come originally in the truck, go big.
 
#15 ·
my dad bought a 66 352 country sedan new back in 66. it had plenty of travel trailer pullin power and never gave a problem. the only thing was it got about 8 MPG with the 3.00 rear and a cruise-o-matic. a few friends of his had 390's in wagons,galaxies and stuff that got better mileage and it was said the 390 did better on mpg. i would go with a 390 , its a bullet proof work engine. btw back in the 70's a country boy had a ragged 69/70 mustang that was out running sb/bb chebbys and slowpars. a friend thought it was a factory 428 car (was a fastback) and had to give BIG BUCKS to the guy b 4 he would part with it. he pulled it and tore it down and to his dissmay found it was a ............... "352" ! yep , a reel bad ace 352 that was blowing stuff off the ro-ad ! had some aftermarket cam , headers , aluminum intake , golley dp carb , headers and i think a 4:11 with a toploader. i told the guy to put it back together and go make some money kickin ace and takin names like thhe previuos owner was , but he was just toooooo depressed that he ahd spent big dollars on a 352 ! never under estimate the power of a 352 !
 
#18 ·
Thanks for all the input guy's! I really think i'm gonna stick with the 352.... But i got another idea now?? I have always been a diesel lover. I have a 05 6.0 and have had many 7.3's. I'm thinking of maby going way outside the box and putting a 7.3 innercooled powerstroke in it... I don't know that I have ever seen one, but I'm sure it's prolly been done, but I really like to be different. All of my truck's that I have had, have been a one off, totaly diff than any other, so why not this one?
 
#22 ·
My thought is you are comparing a heavy weight truck engine to a light weight auto engine. Choose the type of driving you do.


The 351 was made years later on as the older engine would not make emissions. I 360 was tried, due to being a truck engine it could then avoid certain regulations, but also had to carry a heavier flywheel.

If asking here, you must then have the dollars for asking about adapting up the non-original engine. Otherwise the (engine only) rebuilding costs are pretty much the same.

If the truck has a trailer hitch, then forget the late model 351 for it has been used for some hauling then. Toss out the ball hitch and use the newer light weight engine then. Otherwise if you intend to re-use what you got, then you can haul a trailer once in awhile. I used to drive a 1974 F-250 truck with a 360 and got 5 MPG as I remember, but it got better if you slowed down.


Wm.
 
#23 ·
I am buiding a stroked 351c for my 56 f100, I have read for days the posts on the clevelands forever website and (I am learning this first hand) my opinion is if you want big power from a Cleveland then you need lots of money to do it correctly. Oiling issues, good street maners but bad detonation from the 2v heads, great power from the 4v quench heads but takes a very well thought out build to have any torque on and on. For a work truck I would pass on the 351C.
When I was farming I had a 76 f250 4x4 with a hurting 360. Had no time so bought a NAPA rebuilt 390 and did the r and r in a long day. What a difference, that truck moved. Later I tore it down and found .080 pistons. Never ran hot, under the worst farm conditions. That truck got beat on. Now, no way am I recomending a .080 390, It was dumb luck or a very eary block that kept me from cracking a cylinder I think. But do some reading, with different off the shelf crank, rod and piston combinations you could make a real strong FE.
While the diesel would be indeed unique, I would really figure up all that will be involved before diving into that one.

Best of luck,

B
 
#24 · (Edited)
Too bad Honus never came back. Because you fella's should be ashamed of yourselves for not telling hum that the 352 makes ONE HELL of a 410! While still looking like a 352!

Not to mention that the 352 Was Fords FIRST Factory 300 HP V8 and THAT is quite the nice reputation!
You all should be ashamed of yourselves for not remembering that! On top of that that 352 with a small +.05 bore and a 428 Crank becomes a 410 Which I am positive can breach the 400 HP level without breaking a sweat, all the while disguised as a 352 with headers!



Let the boy have his 352 dream!


P.S. Oldb.... WHO makes a +.08 Piston for a 390???? I'm fairly sure that the answer would be nobody. I've seen many 390's and several with a .060 piston but never even heard of a .080 390 piston.... That's like a 427 piston minus about .010 and they don't make one of those either that I know of. You sure you had a bored 390?
 
#25 ·
Hey FE,
Yes I am quite sure they were .080. I had a couple of days one winter so I pulled the engine to put a 78 integral steering box on this truck. While the engine was out I took it apart, new timing chain, brgs, valve job, it was running fine. Get this, I had the rings off and stacked on the bench when I started cleaning the top of the pistons and right there was .080. Not sure I was actually seeing that I miked the bores, had the pistons miked. No doubt. No internet then I had all the local parts houses looking. Found out that although not at all common can be done with a very early block. But could not get rings anywhere, at least not in the week or two until I needed the truck again. So deep breath, put it back together new brgs, double roller chain valve job and old .080 rings.
Gets better, romping on it on the way home from work dropped a valve #4 cylinder. Machinest had not got the keeper locked, I had not caught it. No damage to cylinder just some cuts on top of piston. Did not even bend the valve. So new valve, put the head back on and ran it for several years. Although it has not been started for maybe 7 years or so I still have that engine in that old 76 f250, and it was still a runner when I parked it. That was a blessed block in my mind.

B
 
#26 ·
I'm cooling my heels at home recovering from back surgery, that is why I am posting after mostly lurking for years, you got me thinking what displacement would a .080 390 be? Using the formula Bore x Bore x Stroke x 0.7854 x number of cylinders = displacement. I came up with 405.61 cu in. That is assuming 4.05 bore + .080 = 4.13 and a 3.785 stroke.
I spent a few minutes on google and you are correct I could not find a .080 piston for a 390 anywhere, but this was back in the early 1980's.

B
 
#27 ·
Thanks for all the coments. Still have the two motors, plus I have gained a 70 460, and I have a leed on a doner truck with a powerstroke. the truck is rolled in a ball but the power plant is still good. I havnt had time to do anything with the truck yet, just got done with a 65 goat for a customer, and now I am doing a 70 gutlass for a guy and it has to be done by june for the hot rod power tour, and a riteup in carcraft magazine. Im not a gm guy but that seems to be all I'v been working on. Back to the truck, I think my buddy is selling his torino so I really don't need a hot motor like I thought I needed to run with him, so I'm really leaning to the stroke. I can get that motor to make more power than the truck needs or wants. I dont plan on pulling anything with it, that's what my 6.0 is for. I just want something that when people see it they say wow how did you do that and why? haha But i love the looks of the 66 and I want to make it diff than others. I still have a 70 mustang I can put one of these motors in so atleast one of them will not go to waste...
 
#29 ·
I would go with the Cleveland. I know a lot of people love the FE's too and you can do a lot with them. It really depends whether you want the truck to look more original, make it a sleeper or what.

I have a fresh 351C 2v going in a 84 Toyota pickup. It will be an all out drag truck and I'm looking for somewhere in the 10's with it. That is project #3 though. I have 2 others stacked up in front of it.