Topic: 351C small block or big block

[MarksMustang]

I am confused as to whether the 351C is a small block or a big block. I have a 69 Mach One clone that has a 351C. It needs all the power steering stuff, and I think there is a difference between those components for the big block cars.. Thanks for any help with this!

[TheJ]

Simply stated it's neither. Here is some dimensions on a 351C among other motors.

http://home.comcast.net/~jelerath/mustang/engine/engine-fr.html#Weight%20and%20Width

hope this helps

[jethat]

Ford never used big block/small block terminology thats a chevy thing really. The 351c has the same bell pattern as the 351w so that would make it the same. The heads also will fit on a Windsor block with a special intake so that means it has more in common with the Windsors than any other Ford engine.

[428CJ70]

Without heads and intake, the 351C is not much different in size than the 351W.  But the heads on the 351C makes it look like a smaller "big block" or maybe a fat small block.  I carried a 351C bare block (with mains) to my neighbors house 2 houses away when I was 16 so the block is not all that heavy.

[Joe AZ 2 PA]

U-da-man. . . . 

[Rat Fink]

in 1969 ford made 302, 351 (2)  390 428, and 429. 390 and428 are what ford calls the FE block.  302 and 351 Windsor are Windsor blocks. 302 Boss and 351 C are Cleveland blocks.  429 Boss is 429 boss. The "big blocks" would be 390, 428 and 429.

[Joe AZ 2 PA]

There also was a 351 Boss at some point in time. . . . . It was a good all around choice. . . . . 

[Rat Fink]

Boss 351 was in 1971

[thundertc64]

if you want to get technical it is a small block. A Ford big block would consist of the FE/FT and MEL series engines 332/352/360/361/390/406/410/427/428/429/460/Boss 429/460

[428CJ70]

in 1969 ford made 302, 351 (2)  390 428, and 429. 390 and428 are what ford calls the FE block.  302 and 351 Windsor are Windsor blocks. 302 Boss and 351 C are Cleveland blocks.  429 Boss is 429 boss. The "big blocks" would be 390, 428 and 429.

I have never heard a 302 BOSS block refered to as a "Cleveland" block, Cleveland style heads - yes, but not the block.  The 302 BOSS is not part of the 335 motors Cleveland series.  The block used in the 302 BOSS was a revised version of the 1968 302 TP (tunnel port) racing block with crossed 4-bolt mains (more like the 427FE motors).  I have always seen the 302 tunnel port motors more closely associated with the other 90 degree, Windsor family of motors.