Cleveland motor

[Mercracer]

I was under the impression that a 351w was smaller than a 351c deck height wise... 9.503" or 9.480" (69/70' blocks) is bigger than 9.206"... is wiki is wrong?

The 351W motors have a taller deck height than the 351 Cleveland motors. Your impression is wrong. A 351C intake is more narrow than a 351W intake. What throws you off is that the 351C head is more massive with the larger ports. That is why the 351C motor takes up more width in an engine compartment than the 351W.