[rdorman]

I have really enjoyed the clevelands since my first one over thirty years ago. My cleveland mustang was faster then my 390 mustang (sure, there is some apples to oranges there). The clevor combo is a great combo if you want big cubes and is basically what the nascar boys run (yes, I know they don't run big cubes!). The canted valve arrangement is a basically supperior arrangement. Look at the 335, 385 and chevy big blocks. The exhaust ports did suffer because of packaging but with all the new heads available (half a dozen different choices including a four valve head... yes, 32 valve 'cleveland') I wouldn't bother with all the vintage heads. By the time you get the HP (650?) you are talking about you would probably have as much in the old heads as a nice new set of aluminum out of the box. Plus you will be able to make more power with less cam (a lot has changed in 40 years!). The cleveland was heavier but that was largely due to the heads since they are so massive (plus some of the block beefing). A FE valve cover is to small to fit on them! Go to aluminum and the weight difference goes away (again apples and oranges). 'Stock' crank, block, and rods properly prepared are good for just about any power output you like and live reliably at 7000 rpms (much more rpm with extensive modifications on the block and crank... above that forget the stock rods). Personally, I think they are the best looking small block pushrod motor to ever come out of detroit.

There are lots of good reasons for a Windsor as well. But unless I was trying to be 'correct' to original, my small block choice is cleveland based.