Reply to "1970 Boss 351"

> So, those 1971, and early 1972 stock engines NEVER really made the practical power
> claimed.

While most did not, a few of the engines actually did make the power advertised.
Two examples being the 428CJ and Boss 351. For insurance and drag racing reasons,
those two engines were deliberately under-rated. Ford had three dyno set-ups.
The 'Engineering A-curve' power was the maximum output you could get of an engine
with looser clearances and dynamometer headers. Then there was the B-Curve, which
was the engine with no accessories. The C-curve included backpressure and everything
else as installed in the car. Starting with the 428 Cobra Jet, Ford advertising
the B-Curve power rather than the Engineering A-Curve. The 428CJ was capable of
approximately 400 HP (A-Curve), 325-335 HP (B-Curve), and 310-320 HP (C-Curve).
The NHRA and others immediately factored the engine for match racing. NHRA
re-factored the 428CJ to 400 HP. They also re-factored the Boss 351 though I'm
not sure what the number was back in the day (it's factored to 355 HP now but those
numbers change over time to keep things competitive).

Dan Jones