[wilf]

John - nothing wrong with Fords, and don't believe the Chevy bs about relative costs or parts availability either.

Any reason why you dropped onto a Cleveland? They are not the easiest of egnines to find, and there are not as many aftermarket tuning parts as for the Windsor small block, but they are a great engine all the same. However, few folks in the UK really understand them. They are almost as big as a big block, and not particularly light, since you can't get really heads etc for them. However, find someone with one, and you will find an enthusiast who would not have anything else. They can be made to rev to 8000 if that is what you want!

Most folks going the Ford smallblock route would look to the Windsor series of engines - the 289, 302, and 351.

351 gives you more bang per buck, and can easily be stroked out to 400+cu in and 450BHP. Rev limited to 6000 tho', because of the larger mains dia over the clevelands.

Whatever you choose to do, don't be afraid to ask questions on this forum, there are no stupid questions. (so long as you master the search facility first).

Try to get rides in as many different cars as you can to compare things, and build up your own specification with care. Take your time, ask lots of questions, and all will be fine!

PS - there is also another engine which is externally indistinguishable from a Cleveland, the M400 - avoid like the plague!