Four-Bolt Mains

I have the cash to work on the engine a little (ironically from the engine parts I have sold as a result of having the block cleaned) so I'm pushing ahead to bore the block now. 

Here's the block being machined for four-bolt main caps:

Here's the tapped holes:

Block Updates

When Ford cast the 351 Cleveland, they cast all of the blocks the same.  The Australian XE race blocks intended for drag and road race cars are the only exception.  Even the Austrailian blocks are essentially the same casting, and I was told that when stateside production halted, the molds were shipped to Australia.  All blocks have 4-bolt main provisions, even if they have 2-bolt mains.  This means if you have a set of 4-bolt main caps, you can drill the block and have a 4-bolt main block.  I think it's overkill to seek out a 4-bolt main capped block and many people would agree for a street-driven car, but I want to be able to really get on this engine.

My block has 2-bolt main caps.  I had 4-bolt main caps from the previous owner's engine, so I took them in to have them looked at when the block was being cleaned up.  Roger from the machine shop said that he put the torqued block and caps into his line hone today and confirmed that the 4-bolt main caps are usable with this block.  So, I can use the 4-bolt main caps I have, effectively making my block a 4-bolt main block.  I'm also going for ARP main studs.  I already have ARP head bolts.

After the align hone and rough bore, I'll probably stop everything on the engine and concentrate on body issues, of which I have several.

More Intermission: Amerisport Engine Pictures

Kirk Evans has been very helpful to me as of late.  I bought a set of heads and a Parker Funnel Web intake manifold with port stuffers from him for my 351 Cleveland.  I want to stroke the engine to 393 cubic inches using a Scat stroker kit, use a large hydraulic roller cam, and do something like this:

Notice the effect of the red engine, cast aluminum silver, and polished black engine compartment.  The engine and transaxle are emphasized in the black paint, and it looks stunning to me.  The heads are stock quench 4V heads with port stuffers and a Funnel Web intake manifold.   Kirk topped it off with a custom-made engine screen and offset the air cleaner to work with the stock decklid.

Notice the extensive use of braided stainless lines, the red highlighting paint on the manifold, etc.  I realize that the air cleaner obliterates the rear view through the decklid, but

Photos courtesy of Kirk Evans.