Cleveland 4V Engine

Quite a bit of discussion and research has gone into the 4V Cleveland engine issue. The main issue is that Ford Australia called all it’s GT Cleveland engines 4V’s to represent the 4 venturi carburettor fitted as standard to XW-XB GT’s.

The imported US Cleveland’s were all fitted to GT’s with the large port 4V heads whereas the Australian built Cleveland’s were all built with small port heads known as 2V’s but retained the 4V designation due to the Australian 4 venturi manifold with small port inlets.

To identify the imported engine in the 1970-1972 cars is that they have a D block casting on the top passenger side of the block and a coil tag identifier & tappet cover sticker of CK608 for Manuals and CK609 for Automatics.

The heads have a 4 stamped in the top corner. In late 72 and 1973 cars they have a square block casting on the top passenger side of the block and a coil tag identifier of CK617 Manual only. The heads have a 4. (dot) stamped in the top corner.

Australian engines were fitted to automatics from mid 72 and manual GT’s from late December 1973. These engines are identified by the square block casting mark and small port heads with no coil tags. Ford Australia continued to import the large port 4V heads and many of these made there way onto the Australian engines for racing, press cars, dealer fitment, spare parts counter sales etc.

Australian engines carry the GF (Geelong Foundry) casting mark beside the oil pressure sender but the CF (Cleveland Foundry) casting mark is also found on later engine blocks. The CK617 imported large port square block engine was limited to the XA Manual GT’s and a small number of 1973 XB Manuals (72 coupes and 139 sedans).