Reply to "Need Recommendations on 351C Rebuild"

There are a few paths to follow when it comes to modifying the 351C 4V. Keep in mind this motor was designed as a race motor and then detuned for passenger car use. The 4V heads are 500 BHP endurance racing heads, and their potential goes way beyond 500 BHP. When it comes to camshafts with about 0.600" lift the 40 year old Cleveland head can still hold its own against modern rivals. A very solid street motor can be built around the iron 4V heads.

However, the "detuned race motor" power characteristic of the 351C 4V is not everybody's cup of tea. If that's the case with you a good recommendation for drivability, throttle response, and about 400 BHP at the same time is a set of alloy 2V heads, the Edelbrock Air Gap intake, a Holley #0-82751 750 cfm HP carburetor, and a flat tappet hydraulic camshaft with 224 to 230 degrees intake duration (at 0.050" lift) and about 0.550" to 0.600 inch lift. If your motor still has the factory exhaust a replacement exhaust will be called for as well. The GTS exhaust is a cost effective, quiet, easy to install bolt-on option, but there are other ways to go as well. Dan Jones has found the GTS mufflers rob about 50 BHP from the motor, but the advantage is they are quieter than any other option.

I would recommend the Trick Flow, AFD or CHI heads over the Edelbrock heads simply because they flow better out of the box. Trick Flow is supposed to begin shipping their heads very soon. The pricing of the Australian heads has been creeping upward because the value of the US dollar has weakened against foreign currency. Lunati is always a good recommendation for Ford camshafts, the Lunati company understands Fords and upgrades their Ford camshafts more frequently than any other camshaft company. They also produce a quality product. One good recommendation would be Lunati's Street Master #07111 hydraulic flat tappet camshaft. The cam specs are 225/225 degrees duration at 0.050”, 275/275 degrees advertised duration, 0.550”/0.550” lift and 108 degrees LCSA. The cam idle characteristic is advertised as "good" but you can expect that to mean a little lopey, but the Cobra Jet cam idles a little lopey too. Its power band is advertised at 1800 to 5800 RPM. This cam has both muscle and manners. You can fry tires all day long with this camshaft.

Other items:
Remove & inspect the fuel tank while the motor is pulled. Replace all fuel hoses. Replace or rebuild the harmonic dampener. Good time to at least inspect the cooling system tubes & hoses. If the car hasn't been upgraded with an electronic ignition, this is the time to do it. Now is also the time to install an Armando #404, Kevko #F602-400M or Aviaid #155-55365 oil pan.