Windsor Verse a Clevland

87BOSS351C · 03-06-2003, 08:52 AM

The C and W are 2 completely different engine designs that only really share displacement,motor mounts and bellhousing patterns. Everything else is different. The C was basically an all out racing design (originally); a "small block" engine with "big block" heads on it. In reallity the C isn't one or the other (small or big block).

The only reason for the letters is because Ford made 3 unique 351 displacement engines within a short time period that needed to be identified in different ways. The 351W (just a tall deck 302 with a longer stroke), the 351C (high performance mid sized engine of the early '70s) and the 351M (destroked 400 to fill in for the high demand for 351 engines after the C was discontinued and the Windsor plant couldn't keep up with the demand).

So you see, it's not just plant designation, but engine identification.

By the way, the 351M was cast at both the Cleveland Foundry (CF) and the Michigan Casting Center (MCC), so plant designation falls apart there.

Hope this helps.

03-06-2003, 08:52 AM	#2
87BOSS351C Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Midland, Michigan Posts: 92	The C and W are 2 completely different engine designs that only really share displacement,motor mounts and bellhousing patterns. Everything else is different. The C was basically an all out racing design (originally); a "small block" engine with "big block" heads on it. In reallity the C isn't one or the other (small or big block). The only reason for the letters is because Ford made 3 unique 351 displacement engines within a short time period that needed to be identified in different ways. The 351W (just a tall deck 302 with a longer stroke), the 351C (high performance mid sized engine of the early '70s) and the 351M (destroked 400 to fill in for the high demand for 351 engines after the C was discontinued and the Windsor plant couldn't keep up with the demand). So you see, it's not just plant designation, but engine identification. By the way, the 351M was cast at both the Cleveland Foundry (CF) and the Michigan Casting Center (MCC), so plant designation falls apart there. Hope this helps. __________________ Black '87 LX 5.0 5 spd T-top with 450hp '71 351 Cleveland 4V, C6 tranny, "and some other stuff" Rice Haters Club Member #124

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