[DeTomaso] New Engine Proposal

Daniel C Jones daniel.c.jones2 at gmail.com
Thu Aug 16 13:49:45 EDT 2007


> For awhile Pantera folks in the UK were importing 392-inch (I think?) Ford
> Racing stroker Windsors, and every one of them turned out to be junk.  They
> either had big problems right out of the box, or shortly after they went on
> the road.  All of them were eventually sorted out, by taking them apart,
> replacing substandard parts, repairing substandard work, etc. etc.

and Ford was not standing behind those engines either.  There was a
public flap about some of the Cobra replica guys running both the SBF
and BBF crate motors.  It appears Ford got enough bad press that they
started to warranty at least some of their engine offerings (the ones
with "crate engine warranty" in the catalog).  BTW, I've heard that
Ford will drop the 460-based crate motors shortly.  Apparently the
supply of production blocks has been depleted.

> www.mmeracing.com     Lists a 408 stroker Cleveland for $5995 with
> exchange or core charge.

When you price out the options make sure you are comparing apples to apples.
Some engines are full engines with all the parts included.  Others are short
or long blocks, most require cores, etc.  That particular MME 408C is a
long block rebuild on a core you provide and starts at $6K.  It uses a cast
crank with a 4340 forged steel crank as an option.

> There simply has to be a more reasonably priced, durable 351 Cleveland with
> great performance, than spending 10K

The couple of 408C strokers I mentioned previously were built for around
$5K.  When it comes to engines, one size does not fit all.  Some many
only need a cheapie gaskets, rings, bearing and valve job type rebuild.
Others may need pistons, the crank reground, rods re-sized, etc.  Others
may want a big inch stroker making over 500 HP.  Others still may actually
need a race block with race internals costing $15K.  You need to figure
out what you have, what you want/need and then you need to decide whether
to go with a local builder or someone else.

> I think we need a web site with just everyone's experience with their
> specific engine and build and who built it, with what and who built
> their own.

As others have mentioned, the 335 Series forum has an area for engine
builds.

Dan Jones



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