Ratio, The W is a 69 or 70 out of a Cougar and the C is a 71 out of a Mustang. They are both H code motors. Both are out of running cars that do not smoke and seem to be fine as is. I can get either engine for $200. My Cleveland CJ motor in my '73 Stang conv has been bored 30 over and has run fine for several years with no problems. It is a '73 motor and is combined with a toploader 4 speed. Someone told me I could use 289 hipo manifolds off a '65 Mustang on the W and it would fit well and hook up to a 4 speed. Anybody know anything about this? Jim
That WIndsor, if it still has the original manifolds, already has the 289 Hi-po units. Or at least the left side is anyway. Same manifold just different casting numbers.
H code is a 2v 351 IIRC. Would have been a W in 69. Personally I like both options. The problem with the K manifolds (besides being extremely expensive) is the passenger side supposedly hits the firewall on our cars. Probably even worse on a W since the engine is taller. The C would be a 2v... They are not a bad option. I just happen to like the 4v heads better myself. You can get an aftermarket aluminum 4v intake for 2v heads though. I like the Weiand X-Cellerator, but have run the Holley Strip Dominator for 2v heads as well. They are both very mild single planes. The other option is a VERY restrictive Edelbrock Performer 2v. The heads on the W are worth roughly 100 bux to most folks looking for good stock heads for their 302. You are good either way. Better yet, offer him 300 to take both! (I would do that anyway.) Then make your mind up after you have checked them both out and priced parts you like. They both use mostly the same parts to mount them, so you can keep gathering those parts if you don't already have them for a 302. Tip: For a Duraspark ignition to fit a 351c (never came with), use a distributor from a 351m/400 or 460. The wiring, coil, and box from a 302 Mav can finish the install. All but the wiring is available at the corner parts store.
Good question. I have never seen a DS (would have been "Solid State" in 74) on a Cleveland, but then I have not studied any 74s very hard. Kind of an oddball year if you ask me. 73 was the banner year for Clevelands. They knew the end was near and put them in just about everything. Sorta like they did with the 9" rears around 79-80. 74 was just some random left overs shoved into Torinos. Probably did have the SS, I just never thought about it.
74 is the year everyone forgets about with Clevelands, they were installed in more than Mustangs. And I think that was the first year for Duraspark or electronic igntion in std production Fords. (I'm not going by the 60's 427's and their solid state ignition)
Hey Jim, I'd personally go with a 302, no cutting of the shock towers, and spark plug changes are doable. Let us know what you decide.
351's in any form are great motors. In the past, I've owned several cars with Windsors, including Mustangs, Cougars, and a '69 Torino GT. I also owned several Mustangs and a '73 Ranchero GT with Clevelands. Currently, I have 3 Windsors in '69 Cougars, and 2 Clevelands in Mustangs. The Windsors seem to have more initial power, but die after 4 grand, while the Clevelands tend to kick in about 4 grand. It's all good. That is why I wanted a 351 in one of the Mavericks. I just completed an install of a 302 in my Sprint Maverick and it went in very easy. However, I like that torque difference with the 351, just don't want to cut my shock towers. Oh well, life is made up of trade offs, so I guess a 302 it is going to be. Even though I can get a 351 cheap, what's the point if it is just going to sit around in the shop. With 8 cars in the shop, it is running out of room. If I buy another one, it would be a Ranchero with a 351C. They are great personal vehicles with a BIG trunk. Jim
Yeah, you're dead on. Stangs didn't even have v8s that year, so 74 is easy to overlook. Concerning electronic ignition, they were called "Solid State" until 76 when the DS name came out. My 75 has the SS system.
I am struggling with the same thoughts. I don't want to cut the Sprint, but have seriously considered it out of love of the 351s. I have come to the point I would do it, but then I think about the manual tranny. I did a 351c/4 speed already and had major issues with the clutch linkage. Doing the swap with a C4 is easy cheezy.
Ratio411, I have also had a special spot in my heart for Sprints, ever since I special ordered a Stang Sportroof in the Spring of 1972. It is the reason I got into Mavericks, too. I had been searching for a Sprint Maverick for a couple of years before I finally found and bought the one I now own. It is a project car with a six cylinder/C4 with no options, so I have no problems doing minor changes such as dropping in a 302 or putting buckets in it. However, if I had a V8/ 3 on the tree Sprint Maverick, I would not change a thing to it. It is probably the rarest of them, and left in it's natural state, perhaps the most valuable one. Alterations, such as cutting the shock towers, in my opinion, would ruin the value of the car. Cutting the floorboard is something that can be hidden under carpet. Cutting the shock towers would be extremely difficult to redo. Keep the 302 in it. Pick another Maverick to cut up. Just my opinion. It is your car. It is your money. You are in control of the decisions concerning it. Think about it a little more before you decide, though. Jim
