DeTomaso Mailing List: May 99, Message #16

I believe Henry Ford said it best and it went something like this. "Whether you
believe you can or you believe you can't,... you're right".
But just like everyone whose ever learned to build an engine, you will learn some
things the hard way and you will make some mistakes that cost you but you will
learn. Like most things mechanical it's all very simple if you take one thing at a
time. You CAN do it.

Cal Eustaquio wrote:

> 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. #????