What killed the Cleveland?

[Viperwolf1]

I don't think it was any one thing that killed it. It was a series of unfortunate events. High performance engines were on there way out due to insurance rates (lack of sales), upcoming CAFE & EPA requirements, and Ford's pullout from racing. CAFE standards were brought about by the Arab oil embargo of 1973. More weight in a car meant it got worse mileage. The Clevelands were heavier than the Windors and more expensive to manufacture. You also had the influx of high quality imported cars that got good gas mileage. Ford had to do something to regain the sales they were losing. Their answer was to streamline engine production and to ramp up production of the car of the future:

 

[mustangtoby]

I don't think it was any one thing that killed it. It was a series of unfortunate events. High performance engines were on there way out due to insurance rates (lack of sales), upcoming CAFE & EPA requirements, and Ford's pullout from racing. CAFE standards were brought about by the Arab oil embargo of 1973. More weight in a car meant it got worse mileage. The Clevelands were heavier than the Windors and more expensive to manufacture. You also had the influx of high quality imported cars that got good gas mileage. Ford had to do something to regain the sales they were losing. Their answer was to streamline engine production and to ramp up production of the car of the future:

Ah... You said it better than anybody else!

 

[Madgyver]

it's not dead..............

 

[bmc69]

it's not dead..............

It's pining for the fjords.

 

[turbotim2]

Lets not forget the Cleveland's reliability problems...

The 351M and 400 were mostly the same block which were designed to fix the C's issues.

Sweet Pinto photo... That brings me back to my first car... and beautiful seafoam green 78 Pinto.

 

[bmc69]

Lets not forget the Cleveland's reliability problems...

The 351M and 400 were mostly the same block which were designed to fix the C's issues.

.

?? Please expand on that sttement. I'm not aware of any known 'C issues' that were designed out when the 400 was designed other than the increased crank journal size to support the higher torque. And the 351m and 400 blocks are not 'mostly the same'..they are identical in every respect..there was only one block produced for both flavors..the 400 block. The only significant design change the 400 block ever received was some beefing up of the #3 main webs when Ford decided the engine would become their standard platform for truck use..meaning there would be a lot more manual tranny applications and thus more axial loads on the #3 bearing. This design chnge resulted in the the "D7T" block casting designation.

 

[ep67bro]

WOW I thought the cut or uncut bronoc topic was bad! Guess it has nothing on this!! I can feel the tension thru the keyboard!!

 

[justinoshea]

WOW I thought the cut or uncut bronoc topic was bad! Guess it has nothing on this!! I can feel the tension thru the keyboard!!

that why it's limited to once a month. funny thing is, most people upgraded with aftermarket parts, and the two could be built to have an idential power curves.

who do the Clevlor guys side with?

 

[bmc69]

WOW I thought the cut or uncut bronoc topic was bad! Guess it has nothing on this!! I can feel the tension thru the keyboard!!

Huh? heck, I thought this thred was probably more like listening to a lecture on the macroeconomics of Australian pygmies in the 18th centry. I think all if the tension and suspense is in the chat section and something to do with wondering when 4x4BG's next photo shoot is going to get posted up.;D

 

[bmc69]

who do the Clevlor guys side with?

LOL..they ares really stuck in the middle aren't they?...they are the 'kids' in a messy divorce.;D

 

[Viperwolf1]

...they are the 'kids' in a messy divorce.;D

Now that's a good analogy!

 

[Madgyver]

who do the Clevor guys side with?

I'll do both, correction, all 3
Got to have at least 1..
I have more 351C4V motors than I do "W"s.
I have more 4V quench heads than I do open chamber heads.