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