[DeTomaso] Dart Blocks

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Like most aftermarket aluminum racing blocks, the main advantage is the 50 
or so lbs less weight, and the better quality of the bore surface, as 
sleeves usually are denser than all-iron blocks and provide a better surface for 
the rings- hence better ring seal. The sleeves are also replaceable although 
it takes a machine shop to R & R them. But at least you don't have to junk 
the block if 'something' bad happens; virtually any damage is repairable with 
aluminum blocks. The loss of that much high-mounted weight improves the 
Pantera's balance and should result in better handling. 

Unless you can do most of the adaption & source parts, budget around $15-20 
K for a complete build. Others have spent $30k+ for some Dart combos with 
alloy heads. And be realistic: a street Pantera will not be comfortable 
driving in traffic with 600+ horsepower, and it will be dangerous in the wet. A 
couple of owners have tried this at great expense and soon went back to a 
lower-power engine. Being able to spin sticky 12" wide tires in 3rd or 4th gear 
on dry pavement means you will never be able to relax while the monster is 
moving. Or budget another $4000 to regear your ZF for the extra power, and 
consider big brakes..... Build it for the street as I will my Fontana- 450 or 
so real horses will be plenty exciting, guaranteed. We can no longer 
compete at LeMans.....

Darts are mostly Windsor-based so practically none of your current 351-C 
engine parts will fit except the flywheel and harmonic balancer- and if those 
are stock, I wouldn't reuse them. Darts are available in 9.2" Cleverland 
deck height (at extra cost), allowing you to use your current heads, intake & 
180s. The Pantera alt/AC bracket needs rework to fit. You'll still need a 
Windsor-style oil pan, water pump, etc, etc. Dart uses peculiar cam bearings in 
its Ford-style blocks- the block bores are big-block size with custom 
bearing bores to reduce the ID for a std small block cam. Given the number of 
shops going out of business, if I had a Dart block, I'd buy and stock an extra 
set of the special cam bearings for the day when Durabond stops making 
them... FWIW- J DeRyke