1956 Ford Pickup Motor

B

bills1020

Senior Member
OK guys, I need some opinions. I have a '56 pickup that came with a 1970 351 Cleveland 4bbl motor. It needs rebuilt and looks like it may need one sleeve due to rust pits. Should I stick with rebuilding the Cleveland or find a Windsor ? My buddy says you can do more for your $$ on the Windsor. Until now, I have only dealt with flatheads. I know next to nothing on anything later Ford.
 
A lot of folks may disagree with me but I think the Windsor is a better motor. The Cleveland may make more power but the Windsor will hold up better under pressure.
It really all depends on what you plan to do with the truck when its done.
 
The Windsor is cheaper on parts. Also it is a small block. It is lighter.

The Cleveland is heavy, and a big block.

It's just a matter of preference.
 
i hope its not later than 1971, both engine lost about 100 h/p in 72, before that the h/p was 240 for the w engine and 250 for the c engine, the windor is justa tall block 302 and is a lot easier to work on
 
The frame has already been set up for the small block Ford and an AOD. I do lots of body and paint work but no chassis fabrication.
 
The 351 Windsor engine would be a much better choice, compared to the Cleveland which is a big block antique...
Of course there are people that think the Cleveland and/or FE series engines are the ultimate power plants. These are the same people that think that non-detergent oil, water for coolant, and no thermostats is the way to run engines. The Cleveland and/or FE style of engines are very heavy and expensive to work on.
The newer engines, 305/351 W have much better engineering and therefore better steel to meet the demands of modern engines.
 
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