Saving a 1972 Pantera

black99lightnin

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pantera8.jpg


I'm thinking I should pull the heads.

pantera9.jpg

painting the intake manifold. I want to say it's an Edelbrock Torker 351. It's at least from the early 80's. The carb was f'ing junk. depending on what the heads and cylinders look like, maybe coyote swap time.
 

03Sssnake

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View attachment 1612501

I'm thinking I should pull the heads.

View attachment 1612502
painting the intake manifold. I want to say it's an Edelbrock Torker 351. It's at least from the early 80's. The carb was f'ing junk. depending on what the heads and cylinders look like, maybe coyote swap time.

I'd honestly keep that Cleveland 351 if its not trashed, you got the higher performance 4V heads too (venturis/not valves), just look at the size of those intake ports! Of course I'd have it freshened up, possibly consider a higher compression 393/408 stroker kit, hotter cam, 750 carb if going stroker.
 

johnkn

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Making progress! My back hurts just thinking about pulling iron Cleveland heads in a Pantera LOL. Those old intakes were designed for relatively high RPMs as I recall. Wondering if there is a good heads/intake package available from Edlebrock, etc. good luck!
 

black99lightnin

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I'd honestly keep that Cleveland 351 if its not trashed, you got the higher performance 4V heads too (venturis/not valves), just look at the size of those intake ports! Of course I'd have it freshened up, possibly consider a higher compression 393/408 stroker kit, hotter cam, 750 carb if going stroker.

I'd never played with the inner workings of a cleveland before. Having had many 302 Mustangs and some LS stuff, I was surprised how big the intake/exhaust ports are.

Making progress! My back hurts just thinking about pulling iron Cleveland heads in a Pantera LOL. Those old intakes were designed for relatively high RPMs as I recall. Wondering if there is a good heads/intake package available from Edlebrock, etc. good luck!

Need to go to harbor freight and buy a couple of cheap movers blankets so I can pull the engine cover off. Then I'll let my 21 YO pull those heads. Just looking at them fatigues me.
 

03Sssnake

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Making progress! My back hurts just thinking about pulling iron Cleveland heads in a Pantera LOL. Those old intakes were designed for relatively high RPMs as I recall. Wondering if there is a good heads/intake package available from Edlebrock, etc. good luck!

TFS makes great heads and intakes for the money...on the high end CHI makes some really nice cleveland heads.
 

Chancey

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View attachment 1608111 View attachment 1608112 View attachment 1608114 View attachment 1608115 Back story my dad bought this car in 1984. It has been garaged and rarely driven up until about 4 years ago. For some reason my dad decided to let someone do paint work on the car, but never picked it back up. The car has sat outside since sometime in 2015. I decided to go get the car and bring it to my house. That was 11/1/19. I remember this car in its glory days and it’s disappointing to see in its current state. My dad is fine, just wasn’t a priority to him anymore as he’s 73. It has developed some rust on the hood and headlight covers. Also bad rust in the passenger rocker panel. Not sure of engine condition as the starter had been removed because it wasn’t turning over. The plan of attack is going to be long and costly. I’ll update with pics as I go along this journey to former greatnesses.

Currently the site isn’t letting me post pictures?




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What a cool project man. Wish I had one to toy with!
 

598

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Those look to be open chamber heads. Even if you just upgrade to closed chamber, I would do that. Good of a reason as any to go aftermarket though.
 

geoffmt

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Ah damn, sorry to hear about the motor! Upgrades may end up less expensive than rebuilding?


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black99lightnin

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If the block is bad, great time for a 427 small block to find a new home there.

Probably just sleeve the existing factory engine and go with a mild cam upgrade. Possibly hydraulic roller. I don't know how strong the transaxle is and based on used pricing I don't think I'd want to press it limits.
 

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