GM 350 or Ford 351: Which was the better engine? (best, valve, exhaust)

[Mopac1980]

Which engine is better between the GM 350 or the Ford 351?

[Linson]

why are you asking questions to which you already know the answer?

[68vette]

Both are great engines, but the 350 takes it in every way. The motor has been in production for 42 years, it can be modified to make big power for little money, and how can you disagree with - "Greatest motor to ever grace this Earth." - Dale Earnhardt, "The Intimidator"

[Gimme3steps]

Originally Posted by 68vette

Both are great engines, but the 350 takes it in every way. The motor has been in production for 42 years, it can be modified to make big power for little money, and how can you disagree with - "Greatest motor to ever grace this Earth." - Dale Earnhardt, "The Intimidator"

What he said.

[ranger17]

where the 350 remained a standard base to build on, there were different versions of the 351 ( Cleveland, Windsor ) that if i'm not mistaken ( I wasn't a Ford guy ) did not share similar blocks or designs. Apologies if wrong on that front.

My vote-350

[Gimme3steps]

Originally Posted by ranger17

where the 350 remained a standard base to build on, there were different versions of the 351 ( Cleveland, Windsor ) that if i'm not mistaken ( I wasn't a Ford guy ) did not share similar blocks or designs. Apologies if wrong on that front.

My vote-350

There was also a 351 modified.

From another forum: (not my words)

351 Clevelands were great in their time but the Windsor wins hands down nowdays. The Cleveland had the best flowing heads for a SB Ford before aftermarket heads, thats what made them great motors pre 1990s. As for differences the Cleveland amd Windsor had a SB bellhousing bolt pattern while the 351M had a 429-460 pattern. The oiling on a 351 Windsor oils the mains first then the cam bearings, then the top end, on a Cleveland or M the oiling goes to both the cam and main bearings at the same time then to the top end. Windsors had a inline valvetrain while the Cleveland and M had a canted valvetrain. Windsors have a wet intake while Cleveland and M have a dry intakes. The mains caps on a Windsor are 2 bolt non splayed while the Cleveland had 2 or 4 bolt mains with splayed caps, the M had just 2 bolt splayed caps. Timing covers for the Windsor is a cast aluminum piece while the Cleveland and M have a stamped steel piece. Clevelands have smaller diameter mains than a Windsor or M, BTW the M has a 351 Windor crank in it. The motor mounts on a Cleveland and Windsor are the same, the 351M is quit a bit different, 351c amd M have the same valve covers while the Windsor is the same as the 289,302. Clevelands are good if they are built right 351M are good for scrap iron and the Windsor is the best of the bunch.

[GTOlover]

stock a 4V 351 cleveland would beat a stock 350 chevy have you seen the size of the heads on then they are massive.

Let's look at some comparisons. If you have any doubt about the Cleveland heads breathing well, compare the valve diameters to the 390, 427, 428 and even the 460 Police Interceptor. The Cleveland 4V has a bigger intake valve than any of the other engines except the 460 Police Interceptor! The 351C 4V exhaust valve is only 0.020" smaller diameter than the 460 PI, and only 0.010" smaller than the high performance 427. Even the lowly 351C 2V has intake valves larger than the high performance 390's and 428's, and the exhausts are larger than all 390's and some 427's, 428's and 460's.

Looking at the Intake Port of the 351C 2V, you will see that it is larger than the 390, 428 and some 427's and 460's (multiply the two dimensions). So, while the displacement in the 351C is obviously less than the 390, 427, 428 and 460, it is designed to breathe better than the others and it has fewer cubic inches to breathe (fill and empty). This is why the Clevelands Rock!
If you want to compare the 351W to the 351C, you will see that the 351W looks more like a 302 head and the 351C looks more like a standard 427 or 428 head!

[texdav]

If you look at rods the 350 is a satndard almost. As to better it really wins out from being so developed and so much avilable for it including crate engines.

[Tightwad]

While there have been many "good" engines none can aspire to the title of "great" engine that the small block chevy engine has owned since day one.

The design of the small block chevy engine was , and still is, genius incarnate.

[rjl78]

For all the 350 fans. Remember one thing. Sheer volume of engines produced does not equal a better engine.

I would take a 351.