Hey fellas,

I grew up with my father being a real "gear head", he was never able to afford any projects while we were growing up so last Christmas I bought him a 351 Cleveland with a 2 Barrel carb.  After that for Easter I bout him a 1966 Ford, short bead, pick-up to put it in.  After looking around he found a parts truck that had the original 352 in it.  To make a long story short he is going to put the 352 in the pick-up and I am going to take the 351.  Now, though my father is very much in tune with what he needs to do, I on the other hand am not.  Any suggestions on where to start?  I have been interested in doing this for a long time and have now decided I am going to make the time.  

You can put the 351C in about anything 67 up.  It fits in a Mustang, Falcon, Fairlane, Torino.  It'll fit later model Mustangs 79 up too, with big $$$ spent on special oil pans and headers.  A 351C bolts to a C4 trans (use 70 up) for an automatic.  Any trans that was bolted to a 289 or 302 will bolt to a 351C.  351C uses the same motor mounts as a 289, 302 and 351W.  

So what happens, in the case where I want to put it in a '66 Fairlane?  Is it a huge problem or just a matter of fabricating new notor mounts?  

Not familiar with a 66, but they came with 289s, so whatever mounts a 289 in the car should host a 351C.  From Googling on pictures, looks like a 66 Fairlane is the same as a 67, so same deal.  

I think you will have a difficult time finding headers to that engine in that car. Especially if it is a column shift car. However, where there is a will, there is a way. Good luck.  

If a 66 has the same engine compartment as a 67, then 70 Torino 351C headers will fit - same car, basically.  Falcon and Mustang headers will fit too.  The Mustang items might need a tweak to fit, but it's nearly the same thing.  Headers and column shift don't usually get along in any car.  

I had problems finding a set of small block headers for my fairlane. More than one company said thiers would fit, but none of them-not a single one-would directly bolt on without modifing headers and or car. Again it is a small block car, so i have plent of room. I eventually sttled on the set that took the least modification. So, I figured a slightly bigger engine would have more issues....guess not. I must just be lucky...not.  

From what I understand and as 67 Falcon says, you should be able to install that 351 Cleveland of yours in a number of Fords from 1966 onwards, 1966 and up Fairlanes/Torinos, full-size Fords and 1967 and up Mustangs. You can even try the 1966 and up Falcons. Ford Australia actually put Clevelands in their localized versions of these cars from 1970-72 (which they dubbed XYs). Your biggest issue installing the 351C will likely be the K-member, motor mounts and clearance. Fords of that era have very prominent shock towers and especially with the larger engines (the Cleveland has massive heads), you'll probably face clearance issues. In terms of exhaust - I would probably suggest having a set of custom headers made. It will work out more expensive up front, but down the road you'll save money not to mention time and headache. If you know a good exhaust fabricator, start there, or you can try companies like Kooks Kustom Headers. That sounds like an interesting project.

Just my two cents - good luck and have fun with it!  

Tublar Automotive sells headers that fit Falcon and Mustang chassis.  The Falcon front 67-70 is the same as a Fairlane, for reference.  

As an aside to header installs, I much have less trouble getting the headers on a 351C in my Falcon or the Mustang than I do with a 302 in there.  Clearance to the middle two plugs is a bit tight, but the Cleveland exhaust port is 90 degrees to the deck, so it points down in the chassis, as opposed to a "W" type head which points nearly straight out to the shock towers.  Also, the deck on a 351C is shorter than a 351W, so you pick up a little space with that too.  

I have no experience with the cleavland. This Fairlane is my second small block. I have been running Fords for my entire driving career and I have always ran 400, 429, 460. The 65 fastback Mustang I am finishing up now is the first small block. It too has a 289 and I had absolutely no problems with its headers. That is why I was surprised that I had all that trouble with my Fairlane  

If it is a column shift 'Lane good luck!

You should look into the column shift cable conversion from Ididit. They have a trick kit that makes the column shift linkage into a cable, making more room for headers...



HTH...
Mark  

I actually made my own cable conversion. It works great, but that is not where I had my issues. All my issues were higher on teh car. They are taken care of now, but I was just surprised. As soon as I figure out how(not a computer guy) I will post some fastback pics.  

So ultimately, for the Cleveland that I have to fit in the 66 Fairlane convertible I just bought, I am going to have a problem with the heads.  I am capable of making the headers myself, and I appreciate the heads up.  I am defiantely not opposed to modifying the bracing and motor mounts to get it in the car.  I guess the big thing is, is that motor right for that car?  

Fits mine pretty well.  The only modification I have done to the motor mounts is to drill them through and weld in a 3/8 bolt to hold the pieces together.  I also have an engine limiter since I race the car.  

Here is a page I never finished that shows head clearance - click here

Need to re-shoot all these images, all old scans.