Ah, we can start our own topic. It is still in the relm of Modular opinions. George, I forgot, why were you going to talk me out of the 400?

Best reguards,
Gary

It is still interesting to see what other people's opinions are. Actually, my dad has an XKE with a V12. I would never do that. I think the V12 goes in the XKE and is a wwork of art. I would never want to work on a V12 unless that was my ONLY car and I never planned on working on another car. That's why I don't have a Jag. I like them, I am just not going to work on them, nor would I put a V8 in it. That being said, it weighs a couple hundred lbs less and is by far more powerful!

Gary

The 351C is not the only engine that came stock in a Pantera. The very last of the GT5-S's came with a 351W in them (I believe they were sourced from a truck).

And of course, we all know that the Si's came with fuel injected 5.0L Mustang motors in them.

Michael

Gary,

the 400 was not a popular "hot rod" engine when I was doing that sort of thing. Even though almost every part from a Cleveland interchanges. Strange huh? But that was my reasoning, you hop up Clevelands, not 400s. It was a mind set I acquired from the 70s & 80s. From my point of view you were thinking "out of the box" to choose the 400 for your Pantera, and I applaud that. Currently, the 393/427 Windsors, the 4.6 mod motors and the occaisional 385 series engine are the popular transplant engines for Panteras. But, like I wrote a moment ago, almost ever part of the Cleveland interchanges with the 400. What an inexpensive way to "stroke" you 351C. Buy a 400 at the wrecking yard, rebuild the short block, bolt on your Cleveland heads, cam, intake (with spacers), oil pan, oil pump, flywheel, balancer, distributor, water pump. And if you want to stroke a 400, 351W cranks drop straight in. Now all you need to contend with are the bell housing, motor mounts & exhaust, which are no more difficult than the 385 conversion. and if a person finds an fmx block, even the bellhousing is the same!

Now, the flip side of the coin, in general, the closer to stock a Pantera is, the more desireable it is to many buyers. And "if" the Pantera ever becomes popular with collectors and starts climbing in value, then the stock cars will climb in value faster. Many people feel like Matt, a Jag engine belongs in a Jag, a Ferrari motor belongs in a Ferrari, and a Cleveland belongs in the Pantera. Its part of the character of the car.

But one of the major differences between a Pantera & other classic Italian sports cars, modifying Panteras is OK within our family of owners. Do so with another marque and you'd be ostracized. With a Pantera, everyone embraces your modifications with comments like "cool", "good job", perhaps even "bitchen". The concourse car & the modified car can sit comfortably next to one another at a show. As long as we continue to accept one another this way, we will continue to have the "best" family of owners among the various marques, my personal opinion, of course.

We also tend to endlessly debate these topics on the PIBB! LOL

Matt, was that enough hot air for you?

your venerable friend on the PIBB, George

quote:

We also tend to endlessly debate these topics on the PIBB! LOL

That's fun though. The nice thing is I will have 2 engines when done. I will always be able to put the Cleveland back in. I will probably get the cleveland set up as a "swap engine" should I have a problem with this one.

George, I have always thought the 400 would have been a more popular "hop up" engine if it had fit between the shock towers in a Mustang!

Gary

Gary,

I look forward to your completed 400 project. I can't wait to see how it looks in the engine bay, and how it performs.

Michael

quote:

Originally posted by george pence:


But one of the major differences between a Pantera & other classic Italian sports cars, modifying Panteras is OK within our family of owners. Do so with another marque and you'd be ostracized. With a Pantera, everyone embraces your modifications with comments like "cool", "good job", perhaps even "bitchen". The concourse car & the modified car can sit comfortably next to one another at a show. As long as we continue to accept one another this way, we will continue to have the "best" family of owners among the various marques, my personal opinion, of course.

your venerable friend on the PIBB, George

Well said. And right on target.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyboman:
Gary,

I look forward to your completed 400 project. I can't wait to see how it looks in the engine bay, and how it performs.

Michael

Thanks Me too. I have a couple projects going on right now. When the engine gets here it will be installed. At a latter date, when I am ahead of some of my other projects, I am going to start a full resto on either this one (#1905) or the other one(#1280). Not sure yet. Before I start the restoration I need to finish the mgb, and do some engine work to the TA.

Gary

can you say "gear head"?

George

quote:

Originally posted by Matt_M:
Hi Kevin:

I wouldn't put a Windsor engine in a Pantera for the same reason I wouldn't do a Chevy V8 conversion on an XKE.

Matt Merritt
#2171

Matt,
That analogy sucks. Sorry

Windsors and Cleves are in the same family. Jaguar and Chebby engines aren't.

Though an argument can be said that Ford and Jag engines are now in the same family since Ford own Jaguar!

So a Ford V8 conversion on an XKE would be "bitchen"!!


Kevin