What Is the Difference Between the Ford 351 Windsor and Cleveland?
by Phil Whitmer
Because they share the same displacement, piston spacing and bore and stroke specs, the Ford 351-cubic-inch Windsor and Cleveland V-8s are often mistakenly thought of as being the same engine.
Ford 351s
Two different 351-cubic-inch engines were built by the Ford Motor Company from the 1960s to the 1990s. The Windsor 351s were mostly made at the Windsor, Ontario, Canadian plant, while most Cleveland 351s were produced at the Cleveland, Ohio, plant.
Cleveland
The 351 Cleveland is a member of the 335 series family of Ford small-block engines. Its large ports and oversize canted valves give it more horsepower and allow it to run at a higher rpm than the Windsor. The valve covers have a twisting curve and are attached by eight bolts. It uses small 14 mm spark plugs.
Windsor
The 351 Windsor has small heads and ports with small side-by-side, in-line valves and straight, five-bolt valve covers. It uses regular 5/8 inch spark plugs. The numerals 351 are cast into the lifter valley. Unlike the Cleveland, it uses a block timing chain and the radiator hose connects to the intake manifold.
