Reply to "Cleveland engine trivia quiz"

DeTom was correct about the aluminum manifold, it is a 1971 Boss 351 Mustang manifold. Bill, I had one number in error, the correct part number of the manifold is D1ZX-9425-CA. This manifold is rather rare as only about 1800 Boss 351s were manufactured.

The iron manifold was cast a very long distance from Cleveland Ohio, it was cast in Geelong Australia. CLEVELAND engines were manufactured in Geelong Australia by Ford from 1972 to 1982, for use in the Australian musclecar, the Falcon!

Falcons were equipped with Cleveland motors from 1970s XW model through 1982s XE model. The entire model range is XW '69 - '70, XY '70 - '72, XA '72 - '73, XB '73 - '76, XC '76 - '79, XD '79 - '82 & XE '82 - '84. The XW & XY were sedans closely related to the American Falcon. The XA represented a fresh design, as the American Falcon was last manufactured in 1970. The XA, XB & XC were available as coupes, Mad Max drove an XB coupe. The muscle car era lasted much longer in Australia than it did in the US.

Cleveland engines manufactured in the US were exported to Australia during the entire US production period, i.e. from 1970 to 1974. Clevelands installed in 1970 and 1971 Falcons were sourced solely from the US. Australian production began in 1972, so the Cleveland engines found in Aussie Falcons from 1972 to 1974 are a mix of both American and Australian manufactured motors. After 1974 the Cleveland motors found in Australian Fords were sourced solely from Australia. The 4 barrel carbureted motors with the large port "4V" heads were only manufactured in the US, therefore after 1974 there were no big port Clevelands installed in the Aussie Falcon.

Clevelands were produced in 2 displacements in Australia, the 351 cubic inch you are familiar with, and 302 cubic inches as well, that's right, a 302C. This engine is the source for the closed chamber 2V Aussie cylinder heads you have possibly read about.

Australia began producing Cleveland motors with 4 barrel carburetors in 1973, the Aussie 4 barrel engines utilized the small port, 2V heads, hence the existance of the manifold in my picture. The 4 barrel motors produced from 1973 to 1975 utilized the "square bore" Motorcraft 4300A carburetor, Cleveland 4 barrel motors manufactured from 1976 to 1982 utilized a "spread bore" Carter Thermoquad carburetor for emissions. This latter manifold is more common, easier to find, and less expensive to purchase. Most, if not all, of the spread bore variety of manifold has provision for exhaust gas recirc, and is not desireable as a performance manifold. The "square bore" manifold in my picture is getting harder and harder to find, a is worth much more money. It is considered a better design than the Edelbrock Performer. Its runner design resembles a shrunken version of the Blue Thunder intake manifold. But, as it is cast in iron, it is a heavy SOB.

A little Cleveland history lesson for you.

Now, for being good sports and playing along, your reward. The full size picture of Nora!

Your friend on the DTBB, George