Aussie 302 Cleveland block??

[Andy FIA]

I have chance of a standard bore Aussie 302 Cleveland short block, but have not seen this particular block in any of my books. Does it have water passages the same as a 351 Cleveland / Boss 302? and therefore would I have to do some mods to install Windsor type heads? Does it have a higher spec crank than a Windsor 302? What else should I know about this block? (I have not physically seen it yet)

Andy

[Aussie Mike]

The 302C block is the same as the 351C block. The bore is the same, the difference is shorter stroke crank and 6" rods. 351 rods are 5.778". The Cleveland Crank and rods are good strong items. All factory cranks are Nodular Iron, there wasn't a factory steel crank but the High perf Clevlands had cranks with a higher nodularity. The stock crank is plenty strong, the guys drag racing them are spinning them to 7 grand plus with no problems. All factory rods had 3/8" bolts and I would reccomend polishing the beams, shot peening them and a set of good ARP bolts. They should be good enough for a very healthy street motor.

Don't confuse the 302 and 351 Cleveland engines with the 302 Boss motor. The 302 Boss is basically a 302 Windsor with the higher flowing Cleveland heads on it. The Cleveland block is quite different to the Windsor.

A lot of guys when it comes time to rebuild their 302 Clevelands swap the crank for the 351 item. They are cheap and plentiful down here. You can then pick up some ACL pistons to match the rods and crank (need new pistons anyway). There are forged short compression height pistons available too. The longer 302 rods combined with the shorter comression height pistons make for a stout performing, revy long rod 351.

The 302 generally had closed chamber 2V heads which can result in unreasonably high compression ratios for a street motor. Some head work to open the chambers up a bit and de-shroud the valves helps. 2V heads work well on the street, the ports in the 4V heads are just too big plus they don't flow as well as they could because of the port angles. A set of Aluminium 3V heads from CHI would realy wake the motor up. With the Aussie dollar the way it is they would work out quite afordable to our US brothers. Compare how much you would spend on rebuilding and porting a set of factory heads when these flow 650HP plus out of the box!!

Top it all of with a TFC or a Funnelweb intake manifold and you will be scaring the big block boys.

Cheers

[Andy FIA]

Thanks Mike that is a lot of good info but unfortunately it dosen't look like a good candidate for a Windsor based stroker for my FIA, as you have confirmed my suspicion that the Aussie 302 is from the Cleveland block family.
Although for only £150 for a standard bore short motor its a good buy for someone.

Andy

[Mako]

Aussie mike... I need info on Long blocks for sale in melbourne, got any advice?

[Aussie Mike]

Hi Mako,

Sorry I missed your post. You might be able to pick up a decent second hand Cleveland in Melbourne through The Melbourne Trading Post Just go in and have a bit of a search each week.

The Super Southern Swap Meet happens at the end of February In Ballarat. This is Australias biggest swap meet now and you will very likely find a good second hand Clevo there.

If you want something new try ringing arround some of the more reputable engine reconditioners and see what they can russel up for you. I would definitely bee looking at replacing that 302 with a 351 for a start since it costs the same to rebuild either. Keep your 302 rods and use the 351 pistons with the pin height to suit.

Good Luck

[BMK]

Hi all



Good advice there Mike on the 'Trading Post'. Would also grab a copy of the "Parts Pedlar Magazine" whilst at the news stand. Cost is about $3.50.



A number of Ford pages and suppliers in this magazine.

Published by 'Just Car Magazines' in Donga Road, Geelong Victoria. Ashley Hunter publisher.

Good luck in your search

Cheers

Bernie

Bernie Knight
Mt. Gambier South Australia

Cruising in the sun