The Ford 351 Cleveland (351C) engine was a higher output mid-sized engine offered by Ford in many of its passenger and high-performance autos. It differs from the 351W engine and has higher flow cylinder heads making it a solid performance platform. It was produced in 2V (2 barrel carb), 4V, and 4V Cobra Jet, Boss and HO versions with the latter versions having larger cylinder heads and more aggressive camshafts. The camshaft selection process is highly dependent on the application for which it will be used.
Determine which engine variant of 351 Cleveland it is that is to be modified. 2V versions were most common. 4V versions were the next most plentiful while the 4V CJ, Boss and H.O. models were produced in much lower numbers. 4V models are higher RPM engines that will respond best to a different camshaft than the 2V engine.
Identify the vehicle that the engine will be used in. Note the total vehicle weight, rear gear ratio, transmission type – manual or automatic – and if automatic, note the stall speed of the torque converter (stock or aftermarket high stall converter).
Categorize the type of driving that the car/engine will be used for and the engine speed that it will be operated in most often. Categories include:
Daily city/street driving with stoplights (idle to low engine speed)
Freeway speed driving at a higher engine RPM (RPM at 65 MPH)
High performance street/road driving
Street/strip usage
Strip/track only usage (WOT - wide open throttle)
Locate as many other 351C owners as possible either in person or through online performance car forums to get input and feedback on what camshafts are being used and the application they are being used in. Take notes on the responses and ask questions that may be more oriented toward the usage of the application being planned, if different.
Read and note as much information as possible in periodicals such as performance car magazines or engine building articles or books. Find similarities between documented 351C builds that will transfer to the engine being planned.
Contact camshaft manufacturers to get assistance and recommendations based on the intended usage. Seek advice from engine machinists who are particularly familiar with the Ford 351C engine, as the large 4V cylinder heads make it more particular about camshaft/valve timing events.
Make use of online or downloadable programs which allow the input specific parameters about the vehicle, and which will suggest suitable profiles for camshaft timing events.
