Reply to "Firewall Hump Reduction"

More likely that the original thought was that it would be like the Mangusta with the 289/302.

That is about the most compact v8 engine I can think of. Today with a 347 stroker built into it and some better breathing heads then from 1965, it would be my choice over the Cleveland because of the size issue. You can use a Probe kit and wind up with 355.

I think the 351c block configuration with the integral pump housing cast into the block was never expected.

In other words it must have been that the car was already designed waiting for the engine package.

Why exactly the car couldn't have been 2" longer , I don't know but you never fool with the design that was derived at and considered successful.

We could push it further and fit in the 427 Ford which some have done, and then it is different again?

In the 1970 time frame, the Cleveland was a brand new concept. Unexpected in some ways.

Definitely bulkier then the 302 and if a 302 is a small block then the Cleveland is something else. Maybe a medium block?

Don't know really. My guess is as good as yours?