[donraye]

Hi all, I have just about every big and little thing for the 408 build now and have just pulled the 351 out of the car, so I will be starting the buld soon.
I will be robbing a lot of periferals from the 351 but some things will not transfer like the flywheel and the balancer which are both 28.8 oz. external balance and I will need neutral balance since the 408 is internally balanced.
But the question I now have for anyone is:
I have a perfectly functioning 10.4" OEM type clutch and pressure plate set-up with only 1,700 miles on it. I need to know if it will stand up to the 500+ crank HP of the 408 or not.
It will not be raced but of course there will be the glorious at least occasional "lead foot" (as one reason I have a Cobra to begin with!).
Will I need to just forget about the OEM clutch and get a Centerforce (or some other) that has about 90% more holding force than the stock unit? Or can I get by reasonably well with stock?
I hate to spend the extra dough at this point but would would hate to be replacing the clutch soon to put one in then even more!
One reason i hate to go to a new clutch pressure plate, etc. is that I think it will make the intall harder since the bellhousing/tranny are still in the car and the onld broken in clutch would mate up a lot easier than a new one when I put the new engine back in. I would that make that much difference? Was hoping to not have to disturb the stuff still in the frame/car.
Don