Can anyone tell me if a 351 SVO Block I am considering purchasing, will accept 351 Cleveland heads off my 1973?
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Original Post
They will bolt up. However, there will be a number of other issues. The SVO block will have a Windsor style coolant circuit which will require plugging the water port in the deck surface of the Cleveland head. The coolant will then need to routed out the front water jacket of the heads (holes drilled and tapped for AN type fittings usually), then routed to a remote thermostat housing and eventually back to the pressure tank. The alternative is to punch the coolant holes in the appropriate location on the intake deck surface, use a Windsor style intake with adapter plates or a hard to find B&A intake made for this application but ported for the 4V heads.
You'll still need to make an abrupt turn at the tstat housing to avoid contact with the fire wall and route back to your pressure tank. Even if you take the coolant out the front of the head's water jacket, you'll still need a different (dif than your 351c lid) intake since the valley rails on the SVO block are also Windsor. BTW, the oil pan rails are also Windsor style on the SVO block so you'll need a new one of those too. I'm assuming that you are looking at a 9.2" deck SVO block, and not a 9.5" deck. If it's the taller deck, you'll also need to modify and/or buy custom exhaust system. By the time you're done with all of this you MAY be able to get an aircleaner under the engine screen, depending upon the combination you end up with.
You're probably starting to get the idea by now, but most people that go this route also throw a pair of high port aluminum heads on top and are building a serious horsepower power plant, thus the desire for the SVO block. It's easy to get 450+ HP from a 351 Cleveland with just a hot hydraulic cam, and decent induct and exhaust system. IMHO less you're planning on big numbers and racing, your Cleveland block is probably all you need. Don't want to discourage you, but it will take some effort. If you're pretty handy, go for it. If not, bring your wallet. If you're still interested, let me know. -Been-there-done-that.
Good luck
You'll still need to make an abrupt turn at the tstat housing to avoid contact with the fire wall and route back to your pressure tank. Even if you take the coolant out the front of the head's water jacket, you'll still need a different (dif than your 351c lid) intake since the valley rails on the SVO block are also Windsor. BTW, the oil pan rails are also Windsor style on the SVO block so you'll need a new one of those too. I'm assuming that you are looking at a 9.2" deck SVO block, and not a 9.5" deck. If it's the taller deck, you'll also need to modify and/or buy custom exhaust system. By the time you're done with all of this you MAY be able to get an aircleaner under the engine screen, depending upon the combination you end up with.
You're probably starting to get the idea by now, but most people that go this route also throw a pair of high port aluminum heads on top and are building a serious horsepower power plant, thus the desire for the SVO block. It's easy to get 450+ HP from a 351 Cleveland with just a hot hydraulic cam, and decent induct and exhaust system. IMHO less you're planning on big numbers and racing, your Cleveland block is probably all you need. Don't want to discourage you, but it will take some effort. If you're pretty handy, go for it. If not, bring your wallet. If you're still interested, let me know. -Been-there-done-that.
Good luck