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Did any Pantera come with 351 Windsor motor? I found an ad from italy with the text and picture as follow:

Ford 351 Windsor engine. It is a brand new engine with all the accessories inc. ac compressor etc, ready to be installed. It was purchased from the DeTomaso factory in Modena, has never been installed. Tuned by DeTomaso for Pantera, not some Mustang engine adaptation. Still has the DeTomaso label on it.



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Yes,

the last year or so of production of the GTS, GT5 & GT5-S models, circa 1989 - 1990, had 351W motors installed. The switch was made for one of two possible reasons: DeTomaso's Australian source of motors apparently ran out of Cleveland motors, or else DeTomaso re-established ties with US Ford while making preparation to produce the Pantera Si, which utilized a US made 5.0 fuel injected motor.

your friend on the DTBB
George is correct. Nobody is exactly sure when they cut in the Windsors (well, let me rephrase that. *I* don't know when they did, nor has anyone been able to tell me, including DeTomaso!)

However, apart from historical value, they aren't a great motor. I personally know someone who bought an '89 GT5-S direct from the factory and paid the supplement for the "sport" engine option. It was supposed to include a different cam, heads, etc. Upon engine tear-down in 2000, the internals revealed that it was a bone-stock truck engine.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm a little skeptical of "Tuned for Pantera". It would be fine as a replacement motor if you are looking for a crate engine, but is nothing special and I would only consider it if I got a really good price on it.

I'd heard that the supply of Aussie Clevelands dried up, which is why they switched, but I would classify that as an unconfirmed rumor.
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