Reply to "Why modify a Cleveland"

Part Time,

I think one answer I and other owners will give you is that a Cleveland engine "belongs" in the Pantera.

Conversion to any other motor including the Windsor generally involves added expense in replumbing the coolant system, new brackets for the accesories, reworking the exhaust system, modifying the wiring. Most swaps involve an engine that is dimensionally larger than the Cleveland in one way or another, i.e. wider, taller or longer.

Finally, let me point out that the regular production 351W block is a thin wall casting identicle to the Cleveland and has the same limitations. It is not any lighter either.

Having said all that, some owners do indeed choose to purchase a Windsor crate motor, and we all support one another in the decisions each of us makes. One way in which the Pantera community differs from those of other Italian sports cars is that modifications are accepted. It is common at a gathering of Panteras to have a concouse original car sitting next to an extremely modified one, and both are equally accepted.

Oh, by the way, I DO have a garage full of Cleveland parts! lol..................

your friend on the DTBB, George