Reply to "351C Al Head options"

500 bhp is a good goal for a Pantera, considering the capabilities of the transmission and size of the radiator. In this day, it can be reasonably achieved with a stroker motor, without having to resort to high rpm & agressive racing cams (cams that beat the valvetrain to death and require replacement every 5000 to 10,000 miles).

The Yates heads would be a good set of heads for such a motor, IF you are up to having a Weber manifold adapted to the heads, and up to what ever is necessary to fabricate an exhaust system that works. There are alternatives in heads however that will accept more readily available manifolding.

If you are interested in the IDF carbs, you must decide if you want the carbs to stick up above the engine screen or remain nestled below. The readily available Redline manifold will mount the carbs so high they'll protrude above the engine screen. If the answer to that question is below the screen, you should start agressively seeking the Cain manifold from Australia. That is a 2V port size manifold by the way.

Another thing to consider, if you keep the motor looking externally stock, you may have an easier time selling the car at some future date. You can have the 4V heads ported and easily reach 500 bhp, the extra displacement of the stroker motor will wake up the throttle response of those big port heads. It would be very easy to unbolt the Weber carbs and bolt back in the Cobra Jet intake manifold and Autolite carb, and viola, stock motor!

I would not purchase a 0.030" over Cleveland block you think may require boring, unless you can have it sonic checked before you commit to purchasing it. There may not be any room left for boring in the cylinder walls. Any block, 2 bolt or 4 bolt, will work for your application. The Aussie blocks (not the NASCAR blocks, the every day Aussie blocks) seem to be made of a better grade of iron that does not wear in the cylinder walls, you should be able to pick one up that won't require boring, or at the worst case, 0.010" clean up. Phil Newell sells them on e-bay. I have his phone # if you want it. I was lucky enough to find a standard bore, 2 bolt main, US manufactured block for $50 last year. I had to drive to & from San Diego to pick it up (8 hour round trip). The gasoline cost more than the block.

your friend on the DTBB