Howdy all again. The son and I are looking at possibly swapping in a 351 into our '65 coupe. The big question is.....which 351.....Cleveland or Windsor? We presently have a 302 with a T10 tranny installed. Which 351 could we use that will accept the bellhousing and T10 without having to replace them as well?

 

Windsor

 

do the windsor
or get a cleveland and give me the heads, whichever

 

both of the engines will actually bolt up to your bell housing and transmission. where it gets tricky is the exhaust. if go with the windsor there are headers that will fit between the shock towers. cleveland engines on the other hand are wider than the windsor and are tight on the exhaust although, there are headers for that specific application too. well there used to be anyways. i went for a windsor and have a set of the JBA shorty headers because they will fit around the stock Z bar for the clutch. take the time on the headers to clearance the shock towers so the exhaust doesnt constantly rest on them as well, and also check engine mount clearance.

 

the cleaveland is basically a big block, its an FE motor if im not mistaken (might be mixing it up with the 352) and like stated, you will probably need to modify the shock towers if you go that route. I dont reallysee the point more weight and same cubes, sure, canted valve help a bit, but you can basically get the same power out of either, so id personally go for the windsor

plus then you have the option of going to 408 and making some mad power...

 

its a small block, it needs no mods to the shocktowers check out dodgestangs car

 

rmodel65 is right. The 351 is a small block.

 

Either one will bolt into the car using your current trans since they are both small block bells, either one can make good power, either one will cost roughly the same amount of money if you want to do a power build up since it sounds like you don't already own one or the other...so buy/build what you like.

If you are looking to just drop a 351 in and be done with it, the w is easier with regards to putting the bolts in all the holes and tightening it down

 

 

Unless you are putting a 351 in a 70, 71, 72, I would choose the Windsor over the Cleveland for a bunch of reaons. I would only go Cleveland if your were trying for a period correct car. The Windsor is MUCH easier to deal with and get parts for. They are every bit as good if not better performance wise, so I vote Windsor (and I have had both in my car).