What's the difference between a 351W and 351C?

 

351W has valave covers with 6 bolts, and the thermostat housing is different, I believe the 361W is horizontal while the 351C is vertical.

 

The biggest difference between the two is in the cylinder heads. The cleveland has canted oversize valves and flow much more air. Parts to the cleveland are harder to find and more expensive.

 

Cleveland is the better engine.
Most of the parts are not interchangable.
The 351W was made in Windsor Canada.

Check out this link.

http://www.karautogroup.com/identify...or_and_351.htm

 

There are many differences including those already mentioned. The ones mentioned are the easiest to identify. Additionally, the deck height and the angle at which the cylanders oppose eachother is different, I believe the firing order is different. They come from totally different castings, the 351W is based off the 289,302 castings The cleveland is in the same family as the 351M and 400 blocks.

Like rwh129 says the cleveland is actually a better engine, however it was phased out in the states in a cost cutting effort. I t was available longer in Austrailian where those guys were able to make some nice improvements to the heads and other components.

Another big difference is Price. Because the clevelands were not produced in the states very long they are hard to come by and even harder to find untouched. Most of the blocks you fins will be bored .03 - .06.

 

This question comes up alot here. We been workin on an addition to the FAQ on this topic, I really need to get it done. Have 351 W, C, and M sitting here and a 302 for comparison. They are all similar in some respects and completely different in others. Strange group of engines that seem to cause alot of controversy and confusion.

I like Clevelands best... especially 4V types!

 

Bigger heads on the 351C is the first thing you would see just by looking. One popular frankenstien version of the C and the W is a Cleavor. Cleveland heads on the Windsor block. Small block spin with big block flow.

 

Clevelands are RPM engines, the best part about the Clevor is parts availability. You can find a W engine almost anywhere, a set of 2V heads is a 351/400M away. Mix the two with the right pistons and intake manifold, and you have a serious powerhouse. Cleveland blocks and entire engines are getting quite scarce, but the 2V heads are plentiful and cheap. It just makes sense if you want something all Ford, a tad exotic, and relatively cheap that makes ludicrous power easily.