Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Think a 302 and a Boss 302 are basically the same engine? They're not — and the fastest way to tell them apart at a car show takes about five seconds and zero tools. In this one we walk the whole Ford small block family: the plain 302, the Boss 302, the 351 Windsor, the 351 Cleveland, and where the 400 fits in.
You'll learn the valve-cover-bolt trick for spotting a Boss, why a 351 Windsor won't share heads with a 302, and the part that surprises most folks: how a 351 Cleveland will bolt right into a Torino, Mustang, or Fairlane on the same engine mounts, bell housing, and 28-oz imbalance. We also get into the future plan for the Lizard — a 351 Cleveland and a small-block four-speed.
Did we get something wrong? Good. Light us up in the comments — we read every one. Thanks to Modern Driveline for coming aboard on the Ford small-block work.
It's Not Madness, It's FORD!
Follow the full build of The Lizard and the rest of the shop projects right here on Manic Mechanic.
Episode 336 Manic Mechanic
Merch:
👕 Shop the crew shirts, the ADHD shirt, and "Needs More Classic Cars"
autorestomod-shop.fourthwall.com
Support:
🔧 Patreon ($10/mo): monthly Zoom meetings + trivia night
patreon.com/c/gasolinemedia
Sponsors:
autokrafters.com
moderndriveline.com
Contact: Jford@autorestomod.com
Insta: @autorestomod
patreon.com/gasolinemedia
#ford #FordSmallBlock #Boss302 #351Cleveland #ManicMechanic
Think a 302 and a Boss 302 are basically the same engine? They're not — and the fastest way to tell them apart at a car show takes about five seconds and zero tools. In this one we walk the whole Ford small block family: the plain 302, the Boss 302, the 351 Windsor, the 351 Cleveland, and where the 400 fits in.
You'll learn the valve-cover-bolt trick for spotting a Boss, why a 351 Windsor won't share heads with a 302, and the part that surprises most folks: how a 351 Cleveland will bolt right into a Torino, Mustang, or Fairlane on the same engine mounts, bell housing, and 28-oz imbalance. We also get into the future plan for the Lizard — a 351 Cleveland and a small-block four-speed.
Did we get something wrong? Good. Light us up in the comments — we read every one. Thanks to Modern Driveline for coming aboard on the Ford small-block work.
It's Not Madness, It's FORD!
Follow the full build of The Lizard and the rest of the shop projects right here on Manic Mechanic.
Episode 336 Manic Mechanic
Merch:
👕 Shop the crew shirts, the ADHD shirt, and "Needs More Classic Cars"
autorestomod-shop.fourthwall.com
Support:
🔧 Patreon ($10/mo): monthly Zoom meetings + trivia night
patreon.com/c/gasolinemedia
Sponsors:
autokrafters.com
moderndriveline.com
Contact: Jford@autorestomod.com
Insta: @autorestomod
patreon.com/gasolinemedia
#ford #FordSmallBlock #Boss302 #351Cleveland #ManicMechanic
