I'm at a "fork in the road" in reference to my plans to upgrade power production on my engine in the Cobra. I thought I had made up my mind to freshen up the bore on the 5.0 HO block, have the mains line-honed and the deck surfaces squared up, and stuff it full of decent high RPM capable components.
However, as happens from time to time, I've been watching the ever-present "what engine should I buy/build?" threads and notice that the advice given (even by me) is almost universal...there is no replacement for displacement.
I've about decided I want to switch horses in the middle of the stream, all however many of them my 8.2" SBF provides. I have a 351 Cleveland block in the garage, 16 rods I can play with balancing and polishing, and everything needed to put the short block together.
Both engines will need new heads, intake, cam, lifters, and carb, so the amount of $$ to be spent will be relatively equal regardless of the direction I go.....so, the contributions of the rest of the drivetrain now come into play in making the decision.
I currently have a recently "freshened" WC T-5 transmission with the tall Overdrive gear, like it very much and would like to use it with whichever engine I end up building. I particularly like the gas mileage...with my current 5.0 I get right at 25 miles per gallon at highway speeds. I realize the current OD ratio would NOT be what a high-revving 8.2" small block would want, so I am leaning toward the stroked Cleveland (probably near the 393 CID range). I've driven many Cleveland-engined cars and loved the powerplant every time, it's just SO different from what I had in mind that it's taking a real toll on my "dream" of a high-revving small block, but......oh, well!!
I think I know the answer to this, but thought I'd ask, anyway. Will there be any problems with mating the 351C to the T-5? I know the bellhousing pattern ought to be the same, but what about flywheel/clutch issues? I realize that the Cleveland will probably tax the torque capacity of the T-5, but I do tend to drive rather conservatively (at least until I get it underway), so I think I could manage.
Has anyone ever had any experience with this combination?
Hoping to hear back from y'all
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Cheers from Dugly!!
