289 vs 318 ..... Ford vs Mopar
The Cleveland family has got to be some of the best engines Ford ever produced.
Cleveland heads had design issues. The 2V had larger combustion chambers of open chamber design for lower compression. The intake port volume was reduced a bit for more velocity. On a larger displacement engine they breath fairly well if the camshaft is changed.
The Cleveland, 400 and 351M all shared a poor oil system. Main and rod oiling was compromised and bearing life was about 100,000 miles until the oil pressure light would start flashing at stops.
The 289/302 are some of the best around for design. Compact and light. With aluminium heads and intake the weight comes down from about 460 pounds to 400 pounds. The all aluminium Rover 4.2/4.6 is about that weight, and the Ford will spank its *** all over town.
That said and being a Ford guy, the old Mopar engines were good. When a Chevy got to 100,000 miles it was clapped out while the 273, 318 and 383 were going strong still. 150,000 and many were just starting to burn oil again since breakin.
The Chrysler flathead six and the leaning tower of power in NYC taxis would go 300,000 miles and some 500,000. Not drag strip terrors but reliable and fuel efficient drivers.
