DeTomaso Mailing List: July 98, Message #27

Dave Williams wrote:
	> I'm now of the opinion that if you *must* pull the Cleveland, the FE is
	> the way to go.  With an aluminum intake and water pump it's almost the
	> same weight as the Cleveland, loads of parts are available, it has a
	> proven competition history (so does the Cleveland, but the 351C never
	> took Le Mans!) and the FE swap has been done at least as often as the
	> Windsor.

Y'know, thats a fantasy worth exploring.  I was very impressed with the
Shelby alloy 427 FE that I saw at the recent Cobra Day in LA.  I'm sure
it would fit because there are a few Panteras running around with side
oilers.  The 150lb weight saving of Shel's FE over the original side oiler
has to be worth something.  The cost?  $14000 plus manifolds, carbs and
alternator.  A lot more expensive than Dave'e estimated $10K for a iron
FE, but stroke the 427 and you get 454 cubes.  Yeaaahhaaaaaa.  This sounds
like so much fun it MUST be illegal!  :)

Replacing a knackered Cleveland with a Windsor is a bad joke.  Replacing it
with an FE (especially Shel's FE) would be a step in the right direction.

Ford Australia to this day admits that the 351C was the best race motor 
for ENDURANCE racing (ie more than 9 hours) was the best they'd ever had, 
and have had lacklustre results ever since they had to homologate with the 
Windsor.  Besides, if the 351C is good enough to power Mad Max through 
an apocalyptic Australia, its good enough for me!  

	Shane Ingate deleriously happy with his 351C in San Diego