FYI FORD - MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum
The Internet's Most Knowledgeable Classic Mustang Information
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLASSIC FORD MUSTANGS, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!
MustangSteve has over 30 years of Mustang experience, having owned 30 of them and restored several others. With the help of other Mustangers, this site is dedicated to helping anyone wanting to restore or modify their Mustang.... THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS!!!!!
Visit MustangSteve's web site to view some of my work and find details for:
FYIFORD Contributors' PICTURES - Power Brake Retrofit Kits for 65-66 Stangs - Classic Mustang FAQ's by MustangSteve - How to wire in a Duraspark Ignition - Mustang Ride Height Pictures and Descriptions - Steel Bushings to fit Granada Spindles to Mustang Tie Rods - Visit my EBAY store MustangSteve Performance - How to Install Granada Disc Brakes MustangSteve's Disc Brake Swap Page - FYIFORD Acronyms for guide to all the acronyms used on this page - FYIFORD Important information and upcoming events

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Any 351 cleveland owners

    • 1 of 1

       

    5/26/2013 8:19 PM  #1

    Kar
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Lexington, Kentucky
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 238

    Any 351 cleveland owners

    I am in the process of getting the Mach 1 road worthy and safe (want to drive it in September). I am spending most of my budget on things that make it safe, reliable, and comfortable to drive for now. My question is the Mach is a 73 with the Q-code 351 Cleveland 4v, and C-6. The car now has a 3.90 gear set in the 9", I have a 3.00 gear set in the garage that I am considering putting in until i can do a AOD swap of some sort. Do you guys think the cleveland will be a complete slug with the 3.00 gears, I know the cleveland's like to wind, but I don't know about down low. When I pull the motor to strip, clean, and paint the engine compartment, I may change the cam to help it out down low. Do I need to leave the 3.90 and just drive 60 mph instead of 75 mph.

    Any thoughts, also I am taking it back to mostly stock, I just took off the long tubes that set 3" from the ground, and am putting the stock manifolds and factory dual exhaust set-up on it.

     

    5/26/2013 9:15 PM  #2

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,156

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    The first Mustang I ever owned was an M code 70 MACH I with a Cleveland and a 3.0 rear end.  That car was plenty fast, but it had a stock cam.  It had an FMX tranny...  That was in 1974.  I traded my 70 Opel Manta straight up to my pastor's son to obtain that car he no longer wanted to put gas in.  I seem to remember around 9 MPG.

    Later I had a 2V Cleveland in a 70 convertible with 3.0 gears.  I swapped the cam to a Crane 272 and a Holey 600.  It also had an FMX.  Also installed flat top pistons.  That car had a ton of torque and would pull really well at expressway speeds.

    Just my experience...  That FMX tranny did great when there was no such thing as an AOD!

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    5/27/2013 8:36 AM  #3

    Kar
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Lexington, Kentucky
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 238

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    Thanks Steve,
    My goal for my play cars is usally 10 mpg (my F100 w/ CV frontend gets 14 w\351w), maybe a good carb and tune and it will get ten are better. I know this 73 Mach1 is really not worth that much and don't think it ever will be (too bad it's not a 71 351 Boss), but since it's all there and 95% original, it just seems a shame to use anything other than a cleveland based motor. I love the style and lines of the car.

    As always thanks for the input.

       •Thread Starter
     

    5/27/2013 9:05 PM  #4

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,738

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    I'm betting the 3.00:1 rear would work out great.
    If you want to mess with the cam........just degree it and advance it about 4/6 degrees. That will move the torque range down some in the RPM range.
    Bet you get MORE than 10MPG!
    6sal6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    5/27/2013 9:36 PM  #5

    Tubo
    2008 BASH V Host

    Offline

    From: Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,841

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    3.0 to 1 gears???
    Nah, 3.25 to 3.55 and use an OD tranny. If your an automatic kinda Dude like me , the 4R70W can't be beat. I have one in each of my Stangs; Miss May 65 2+2 hot rod, and my brothers 73 Vert. Well yeah, I've added stuff he didn't, though I hope he would like what I've done.

    Tubo

    If it ain't broke, I haven't modified it Yet
     

    5/27/2013 10:15 PM  #6

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,738

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    Tubo wrote:

    3.0 to 1 gears???
    Nah, 3.25 to 3.55 and use an OD tranny. If your an automatic kinda Dude like me , the 4R70W can't be beat. I have one in each of my Stangs; Miss May 65 2+2 hot rod, and my brothers 73 Vert. Well yeah, I've added stuff he didn't, though I hope he would like what I've done.

    Tubo

     Sounded like the OP is going for a strictly street cruiser with the original FMX tranny.. High gears would fill-the-bill.

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    5/28/2013 4:03 AM  #7

    Kar
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Lexington, Kentucky
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 238

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    A overdrive transmission is something I will do in the future, and will most likely stay with the auto (Have T5's in my others), And I will keep the 3.90's that are in it now for when I can change transmissions. I have to 3.00 gears already set up in anothe third member so it's just a gasket and some gear oil. I only drove this car about ten miles before starting the tear down, but the 3.90's were fun, but I was in third gear at about 20 foot, and turning about 4000 rpm's at 70 mph. So I thinking the 3.00's for now, and then swap back when I have overdrive.

       •Thread Starter
     

    5/28/2013 5:25 AM  #8

    jerseyjoe
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 789

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

     I would go with the 3.00...for now....jj

    "Never put a question mark where God put a period "  Richard Petty
     

    5/28/2013 12:05 PM  #9

    71Stang
    Active Member

    Offline

    Registered: 5/28/2013
    Posts: 3

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    Lots of the 71-73 cars came stock with 3:1 gearing, including my 71. They will work fine. 

    Having said that, if your only goal is 10 mpg, you can likely do that with your current gears and I know you can do it with 3.50 gears, which is what I run behind a 351C/FMX setup [YMMV with application of your foot].

     

    5/28/2013 1:27 PM  #10

    Kar
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Lexington, Kentucky
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 238

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    All I meant by the 10 mpg, is that while I would like to get a lot better, but I know I must be realistic, and not expect 20mpg. My main concern with the 73 lower compression 351 clevelanv 4v, is it being a dog around town with the 3.00, I 'll give them a try and see how it feels, I want this car to be a nice cruiser with style, and sound, and lots of reliability.
     

       •Thread Starter
     

    5/28/2013 9:21 PM  #11

    steve s.
    FYI FORD Member

    Offline

    From: Nashville TN
    Registered: 5/10/2013
    Posts: 60

    Re: Any 351 cleveland owners

    i drove a 73 thru high school. 351-4v/c6/3.00:1 rear. it sure wouldnt kill anything off the line but did o.k. once you were moving. i miss that car...




     

     

     

    1 of 1

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  »  Any 351 cleveland owners

    • Board footera


    REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this forum, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.