wawazat said:
The 351M and 400 also used the 385 series (big block Ford) transmission flange on the block not the small block version.
It was a real mutt for tooling, like they sat down and tried to figure out how to make a mid sized V8 with as much pre existing tooling as possible. It didn't just share the 385 bellhousing pattern (except for some very rare 400 blocks), it also had the 385 deck height, so they could ram the blocks through the same decking tooling. But it had the bore spacing of a Cleveland/Windsor so they could use those same gang boring tools (they don't do them one at a time) and the front dress and engine mounts of a Cleveland. The heads were Cleveland-like but different.
The weirdest thing I think is that Ford didn't seem to discriminate between the 351M and 400. They even shared the same underhood emissions sticker.
wawazat
SuperDork
2/10/25 10:25 p.m.
And the distributor was the same in the Cleveland as it is in the 385 series BBF (429 and 460).
Plus canted valves in both!
In reply to wawazat :
I got to work on a 351C-4V Mustang (someone had installed the right side head gasket backwards, so it ran very hot) and the intake ports have to be seen to be believed. They were the same size as the intake ports in my old 429-4V. As tall as a dollar bill and almost as wide. Gigantic.
And Ford used those heads on a 302!
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
WOW! That's a "hole" lot of port!!!
Being funny, but also serious.
Think about those heads on 302ci, Big Block Chevy port size.
wawazat
SuperDork
2/11/25 9:35 a.m.
I've got a 351 Cleveland in my '69 Cougar. Transplanted by the PO. I've got a 393" Cleveland in the garage on deck for that car.
Ive never head a 351M called a "Midland". Thats definitely not a Midwestern term. All called 351M or 351 Modifieds. Offically they are 351 "M" and the M doesnt mean anything. Like Homer J Simpson.
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
I thought Pete was a midwesterner. Not sure.
He obviously heard a few different folks use it, but like you, I did not, or know anyone that had heard it. Still curious as to it's suspected origins.
The M obviously meant something to someone at ford, but it was never reveals what, as far as I know.
Modified is 90% of what I've ever heard said.
