DeTomaso Mailing List: May 99, Message #15

Hi All:
Probably stirring up the mud on this but ain't what this groups all about?

Been considering (for the longest time) about doing an engine rebuild myself.
No, I don't have formal mechanics training but I have done some hobby
rudimentary machinery work in my time. So I pose this question:
how hard is it for the garage part time hobbyist to rebuild a 351C (or any
Detomaso Ford engine family engine for that matter)? I've heard some who have
spent thousands of dollars. While I'm willing to do that just to obtain "the
cat", I would like a large amount of input that I can possibly do myself. I'm
not looking for ultra "gut wrenching" circle track or drag strip performance.
I am looking for some K/A performance on the street combined with good
drivability. How hard is it to assemble and put together the engine once all
the major machinery is done. I mean, come on, Plastigauging, installing
Clevite 77 bearings, installing and torquing down main caps on a machined
crank, putting in a Pete Jackson gear drive, etc. Has anyone (not necessarily
a professional mechanic by trade) done this on a hobbyist level? I'm seriously
game to do this as that one of the nice things about owning a Pantera: not
paying some high $$$ mechanic to work on an "untouchable" exotic engine. Any
comments welcomed. Thanks. Cal. #????