Ford Engine choice 351 Cleveland VS. 4.6 2V

[DLinson]

Any pros/cons of the 351 Cleveland and 4.6 2V engines? Need to decide for my father/son project 68 Cougar.

I purchased a 4.6 2V engine out of a 2001 Mustang GT. It has a about 80,000 miles. Came with the entire wiring harness, computer, BBK cold air intake, rusty headers, and Diablo engine tuner. The engine was running in the car before it was sent to the police impound yard from where I purchased the car for $300 and removed everything I wanted.

A friend is willing to give me the 351 Cleveland out of a 70 Tarino. It is a cast iron head engine that needs a complete rebuild.

The reliability of the factory EFI 4.6 engine is reason I got it in the first place. This is going to be my son's car so 260 HP for him is okay. If he wants more horsepower later, the engine would require a rebuild and most likely better crank, rods, and pistons. From what I heard the 4.6 can handle about 400 hp on the stock lower end.

The Cleveland engine would most likely be a carburated set-up unless I decide to make a custom sheetmetal intake for fuel injection. I've heard that the 351 is a good high reving engine that was developed for NASCAR back in the day. I would guess that the stock low end of the Cleveland could withstand way more HP than the 4.6 so we could build a lower HP engine and then add power later when my son gains experiance with top end modifications. The nostalgia factor is up there too.

Any opinions?

Thanks,
Dennis

[ehummelman]

You will have trouble fitting the 4.6 in that Cougar without hacking out the shock towers and putting in some kind of front end kit. It's too wide. Also, if the Cleveland is a 2V you'd be in good shape for a street motor. The 4V was the high revving engine. Of course with a rebuild you could put whatever cam, heads, etc you want on there. I had a Cleveland and Australian 2v heads which are sort of a hybrid between the American 2V and 4V.

[DLinson]

I'm going to remove the shock towers either way I go and put in a custom front suspension or a DSE Mustang front suspension.

[shizzy]

you will be money ahead by using the 4.6 if the cleveland is in need of a rebuild. All said and done, even though the Cleveland is a great engine, its never going to have the reliability and MPG the 4.6 will.