[DeTomaso] Big Block in a Pantera

[forestg at att.net]

> For those guys that have really big engines in their Pantera – what’s it
> like? Mine is a relatively mild build and is much like the cleveland.
> 
>  
> 
> On the track – ¼ mile, around curves, braking Haven't had this one on a track yet so no info.
> 
> On the street – noisy?, sucks gas?, hot?, is the sound right? Exhaust is louder than the cleveland was with the same exhaust. Gas milage not great, best of about 14 mpg. No hotter than the cleveland and sounds like a Pantera.
> 
> Maintenance – is it a pain to change oil, change plugs, set timing, adjust
> valves, etc.? No different than a cleveland as the layout is very similar. I have removed heads and distributor while engine in the car.
> > 
> Like I said, I’ve heard all the stories – about how 1st gear is useless,I still use first gear most of the time but, like the cleveland, second gear starts are not bad.
> it’s too heavy, and so on.  Until I’ve heard it from the horses mount, so to
> speak, I have to take those comments with a grain of salt.With the aluminum heads and intake the 521 weighs less than my cleveland with the blowers.
 
> I’ve mentioned before that I had a 428 in a Mustang.  It was loud and hot.
> It handled just like a small block, though.  It felt like it had 500HP more
> than a small block.  Of course, it didn’t, but it felt that way anyway.  It
> got around 17mpg – not great, but good enough to drive it a lot.I also have a 68 cobra jet mustang but have not checked mileage since I hardly ever drive it.
Forest
> Goran – I’m especially interested in your 500” Ford.  What was it like?  Did
> you drive it on the street much or was it mostly a track car?
 I’m not planning an engine change any time soon.  I’m just curious.
> 
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