Now that both the 351 Cleveland and the 4-speed toploader were both rebuilt. We were pretty excited to mate them together and fire it up! All we needed to do was put the flywheel and clutch assembly on along with the transmission and some headers then we were set. We would then be able to start the Cleveland right on the ground just using a few jack stands; one under each engine mount and under the transmission crossmember mount. First thing we did was put the Cleveland on two jack stands and a block of wood to put the clutch and flywheel on.
Now we were just about ready to mate up the transmission with the engine. Nice socks and sandals dad! Lol. That transmission is still tough to lift into place even with the aluminum bellhousing, but it isn't anything we can't handle.
With the help of a stool to hold up the back of the transmission, mating it to the engine was made much easier. Even easier is if you have the help of multiple people. One to lift, one to put in the bolts, and one to take the picture. Thanks Mom!
We then used the engine hoist to move the Cleveland to the center bay of the garage where we would end up starting it. Notice the sweet looking brushed aluminum T-handle on the shifter now.
Here's after putting on the Hooker Competition ceramic coated headers. They look Sweeeeeeet!!! The 351 Cleveland is ready to make some noise.
I just had to take this hero looking shot of the brand new Hooker headers. Don't they just look awesome?
...And to fit the theme of the Boss 302 Clone, the Boss 302 stickers on the boss style valve covers and the sticker on the air filter. The only way somebody would be able to tell this is a Cleveland is by small details such as the thermostat placement now. So sneaky...
Here is one of the first Cleveland starts after we fired it up a few times and got the timing set just right. It sounds great and runs perfect now! One successful rebuild.
The 351 Cleveland!
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