Assembling a Ford V-8 351C Engine for our DeTomaso Pantera Barn Find Project

You've seen our Timelapse video, but now we're taking you in depth to show what it took to put this iconic motor together. Davin walks through the process step by step and offers some helpful tips along the way. We're getting closer and closer to seeing this 1972 Pantera back on the road.
#RedlineRebuild #BarnFindHunter #neverstopdriving #hagertydriversclub
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Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
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[@dalgguitars]

I will never build a motor and my wrenching days are long gone. Why do I find these videos so satisfying to watch? IDK But gosh, there's something about all those new and beautiful parts going together so nicely by an expert........just fantastic. Thank you guys!

[@corporalclegg914]

your satisfied because you’re watching an expert doing expert work & you have an eye for when passion & pro create mechanical performance. that’s what I tell myself

[@PowerSportsQuebec]

Thiese guys (Hargerty) makes watching this grueling process (I build engines once in a while and I'm OCD so its always painfully slow) fun and interesting to watch for seasoned mechanics like me and the un-initiated. It's a great learning tool too!

[@marksieber4626]

Supervisors are always needed.

[@tedtheturbot]

@@marksieber4626 and coffee..

[@Hoaxer51]

Once a gearhead, always a gearhead! Lol Welcome to the club.

[@jasondk5127]

Thirty years ago I did this with my dad in the garage. It was a 1979 351 Windsor engine. What a great time with Dad! I really miss those days, and Dad.

[@tonysteppan8495]

Ya gotta start somewhere. I was 16 and had little to no money for my 1st car. My dad help me with about 80. bucks so I could get a 150. dollar car. 58 T bird 352 with a cruise-O- madic. Well, the heads were off due to a blown head gasket. The mechanic had a depute with the prior owner and broke all the gages with a ball pin hammer. The parts were in the trunk for the engine. I was not happy about not having a running car. My Dad said" If you want to drive, you have to know how to fix it" he told me what needed doing, and after giving me and my older brother directions on small things, then we got all the way to finial assembly. Timing was off and burn off all the hair off the nosey neighbor Kid when it backfired through the carb. My Dad had paid for all the parts, and the money I earn was spent at the junk yard getting the gages repair. Brakes were adjusted, a little more gas. then my first drive around the block. I thought my dad didn't like me, due to my bro getting a newer car that ran great. What a dumb kid I was. Like you I miss his wisdom.

[@markchizmadia2004]

This has got to be the best explanation of an engine rebuild/assembly I've seen. It is very thorough and easy to understand. But I'll need to rewatch the timing wheel segment again. Davin, you do really nice work, sir!

[@jhcampbe]

I'm so glad you showed this build in long form.

[@IndridCool54]

I was an automotive machinist back in the 1970’s and the shop I worked at did a lot of work for a local guy who restored Studebakers. Working on the Studebaker V-8 blocks was the first time I saw engines painted on the inside. I just learned now that the paint was Glyptal. Then I had to jump down the rabbit hole and get the history of it off Google. 😁👍🏼

[@BigRigTrig]

That was a solid ‘YEE HAHHHH!’

[@Thabyrd9]

Watching these videos makes me appreciate my classics even more seeing all the internals their functions and how it all comes together to make this grown man smile when my foot is on the gas

[@lyzek01]

I love how he doesn't use impact tools to rush the work!!! I enjoy the time he takes with every single bolt and nut!! Keep up the great work!

[@gordowg1wg145]

No serious builder should use power tools to 'speed things up', as doing it by hand you can feel if there's an issue with a tight thread, or something else - should never happen if properly chased out, etc, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

[@cruisingthethaiway6881]

When I worked at a Subaru dealership, I was told to use my air rachet when replacing spark plugs. I told the boss to pass off, I care about the customers car, and it will be serviced correctly, not with power tools.

[@dannyfowler7055]

Davin I love seeing you put these together, poetry in motion Pal! I haven’t done work like this in many many moons, but at 73 the old body just doesn’t like to cooperate. Still I can live vicariously through you and these great videos, thanks! I did just install the Rousch Cold Air kit on my 5.0 Coyote 2017 F-150, so I’m not completely helpless yet. 😊

[@tedhamilton2362]

Engine assembly is always fun to watch; regardless of the OEM. Good pointers always.

[@keithsclassicgarage1133]

I also glad you showed blowing all blind holes with compressed air!

[@RigallDesign]

We are looking forward to seeing more of the restoration of the Pantera...suspenstion and all of it!

[@patbullard9276]

Well done. I have no need to know this information because I will never build an engine. But I surely enjoy watching you do it and love seeing the information. I love learning new things at my young age of 74.

[@milt6208]

Look up Shawn Willsey and Nick Zentner.

[@rustybritches6747]

I don't think I've ever seen a cam degree job go so perfect ever, its usually pretty damn close but that was perfect!

[@alanrogers7090]

Thanks David. Your knowledge and teaching skills go a long way.❤

[@PhillyDee215]

It's that special feeling you get when assembling & completing an engine👨‍🔧

[@stevedriver1476]

DAVIN did you know the DE Tomaso 351 4V clevelands 1970,71,72,73 were Australian High Nickle content blocks and Nodular iron cranks. The entire 351 engines were made in Australia and shipped to where De Tomaso was built. Legendary Ford racer BoB Glidden said the ultimate 351 is the Aussie made engine that Ford Australia put in the Ford Falcon XY GTHO phase 3 cars they built in Australia by ford. The same Aussie engine took De Tomaso to Le Mans and had GREAT success. We built good stuff here in Australia. Another one to check out is the valiant Charger E38 and E49 Aussie 6cyl Hemi car,, it ran 13.9 off the showroom floor with 205,70,14 tires,, most big block production cars would struggle to run 13,s off the showroom floor, Steve in Australia. Thread gauge is also a good clearance checker,.

[@user-qz2hc7jy9d]

I've read differently Up until the early 74 XB the 351 Cleveland 4V motors were from the USA, mid 74 Ford Australia started building their own 351 and 302, The 302 had red rocker covers and both engines were 2V heads, LATER est 79 ish for built think called nucklehead blocks fro USA racing, The first badtch was rejected by Ford USA becaus ethe didnt read the memo and was only 2 bolt mains, Ford Aust then built the 4 Bolt mains for USA racing,, please correct me IF I'm wrong.

[@psk5746]

De Tomaso never had success at Le Mans with the Pantera, never. Ford did with the GT40 but nothing to do with the Pantera engine

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Damn, Davin, that engine is gonna sound wicked in that Pantera! Your attention to detail is incredible; then again, you have all the fancy tools! Thanks to Davin and the always excellent Crew!✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@pb3033]

Thank you Daven for sharing your 'know how' with comprehensible details, 👍

[@davidcooks5265]

Using your hands is half the fun😜 that ring machine I've never seen, I've always used a file!

[@sunamangs]

Will be starting reassembly of my 1972 351C 4V this week. So this video is incredibly well timed 👍

[@isalmankhan1]

I've been dreaming about this episode soo addicted😍😍😍 Thanks Hagerty, Special Thanks to Davin & Tom, you guy's are Awesome👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@tonysteppan8495]

While watching Davin I was thing how cool it would have been to see a young guy or gal learning from a good mechanic how to build something with their head and hands. Well, I hope they're out there watching Davin. There's nothing finer that engine run on the stand, when you built that engine.

[@seektruth8662]

These videos are a true public service for the DIY classic car crowd. These will become historical records that people will still be watching in 100 years to figure out how to rebuild their 150-year-old engines.

[@bsaxman2012]

I enjoyed this video. My first car (bought used in 1977) was a 1971 Grabber Blue Mustang Mach 1 and it had the 351C/FMX drivetrain. I wish I still had that car.

[@gilou275]

Incredible work as always from the Hagerty Team ! Thank you all for sharing your journey with us ! Can't wait to see that Pantera running ! Cheers !

[@banarcus]

I've got two cleveland V8s in the shed, one 302 and the other is a 351. I cannot wait to start building them after watching this video. Great video with plenty of detail. Thanks!!

[@rossgirdeen3247]

Wonder what kinda of power you could expect out of 4v open chamber heads?

[@RigallDesign]

Looking forward to seeing it put back into the Pantera!

[@Assam2418]

Fascinating. I didn't have the faintest idea what you were doing half the time but still fascinating.

[@Nikolahav]

Enjoyed every second of this video. Making something alive...perfection.

[@CruiseControl1]

Had a 351 Cleveland in my 1974 Mercury cougar xr7 and it was fully built and sounded amazing, I only got 7mpg but that was when gas was 88 cents a gallon

[@TheBandit7613]

My 73' Mach One is @5 mpg and I run 93 octane ethanol free. I don't go far from home!

[@CruiseControl1]

@@TheBandit7613 haha 😂, buy extra gas in winter when its cheaper and store for summer

[@70ixlr86]

Awesome build, and great commitment to detail. One process I missed hearing about was bolt/fastener prep. Saw the often missed tapping of block bolt holes (really wished to see a tube extension on the blowout ), But noticed many times, a substance added to the bolts before assembly ( no explanation ). There was no mentioning of any thread locker on rod cap nuts and such, possibly not needed in this build or any , but no mention of its omition relevant to this build. Otherwise Very informative. Thanks again, for highlighting that checking and testing makes the build, trusting can be blind faith in building.

[@TheRealGarage]

Just a shear pleasure to watch. Brings me back to my automotive school days. Please don’t ever stop making content!

[@captnjim44smith74]

I love the attention to details. Close to perfection!

[@erichildreth7562]

Your videos are awesome and watching these motors come together with all of these new parts and hearing it run for the first time is great!! Thanks for another great video!!

[@bengesell]

I got a lot of testing tools to get before I can get this 300 straight 6 purrin'. Thanks for bringin' us along.👍👍

[@jdfmfb03]

The best engine ever made Just don’t go crazy on the fuel cfm 400-500 is good It will pull a house off the foundation

[@jimrusso1988]

Great video! This validates the engine builds that I’ve done. 2 items: I use 2 pieces of vacuum tubing on the connecting rod bolts during assembly to protect the crank, and 2 the oil clearance setting on the mains seemed to be exceeded with the amount of assembly lube. Keep the great content coming!

[@dream_living96]

Holy smokes, that sounds good! Can't wait to see it back in the car. Keep up the good work, Daven.

[@Hagerty]

Thank you for being a fan!

[@pacifiedherbicide]

Excellent video, great breakdown and step by step guide. Thank you Davin and team!

[@robertrohler3644]

Davin that was so cool the method to calibrate the TDC lobe separation (110 degree), That was so cool and fascinating. Thank you for taking the time to show us. Way more into the requirements than i would have thought. Thanks, Cheers

[@kiprose2921]

I have to tell you that is an art. It takes an exteem skill to put something like this together.

[@crabappleracer]

Thanks to you guys for these red-line rebuild series, great presentation and hats off to the editing crew to mix it with time laps. Definitely look forward to the next one 😊

[@floreswoestenburg9367]

10/10 in the scale of fire balls!!

[@asimplehorseman4648]

Great Video!!! Thank you soooo much for all the details you included in this build video. I really appreciate knowing all the spec stuff. I like the time lapse stuff but I like to learn a lot too. Good builds are always made in the details. Very pretty motor by the way. Sounds good too!

[@craighansen7594]

When filing the rings, do the second compression rings first. A slightly oversize gap(mistake) on the second compression is not usually a problem. The best way, in my opinion, is to practice with a few of the old rings.

[@rdyer8764]

I have been missing the Redline Rebuild videos. Thanks for providing my fix!

[@hdbikerdave5835]

Another great video and teaching opportunity. Well done Davin and crew!

[@greatheightsu]

Truly a master at work. Always satisfying to watch work.

[@courtneyricks500]

Thank you for the videos. Great assembly. And big bonus for nailing the timing first try.

[@cratecruncher4974]

Nice work. Large capacity oil pans are most often run on Panteras to assist with cooling. Not to prevent oil starvation. So fill 'er all the way up!

[@WayOfHaQodesh]

What a fantastically complicated motor. I'm so impressed. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@denisovanhybrid9610]

Complicated? Sarcasm?

[@swingingrocks]

been a mechanic for 15 years....already know how to do this!

[@landonworrell4532]

Another high quality redline video, keep em coming!

[@browntacks708]

Good stuff & I did my 1st break in a few months back. Man that feeling is to die for ! I enjoyed seeing what into building mine here. Thanks for the knowledge "351c" 👌

[@raymondzurlino]

nice job ,sounds awesome thanks for teaching us by doing it before our eyes.

[@allysonsquires8421]

Watching you with the speed wrench chasing threads just reminds me of my dad! Be prepared or prepare to fail. I tended to use a ratchet first then use the drill my dad hated it 😂 love watching your vids! It just reminds me of my dad very knowledgeable!

[@rogerlundkvist6309]

Always nice to watch a pro in action 💪

[@garys1266]

Fantastic build, can't wait to see the final product.

[@danballou2202]

Really, really well done. Thanks so much for the education!

[@user-gf8zf2qs1e]

This guy is the Bob Ross of cars.

[@raceabilene]

Watching because I've built and broken a bunch of 351Cs - but you can always learn something. I'm about to put the upgraded race 351c engine back in the car for the 2024 racing season. Enjoy these videos - solid info, good presentation, educational. A#1. Thanks for sharing this. And yea, remind the guys in the shop that Ford #1 is front right. 🤦‍♂️

[@SergeiZhaldak]

Very nice job. Thanks a lot for such videos!

[@ronniebraine9692]

Another great video. Enjoyed it very much. Awesome job well done. Cheers!!

[@claycoates5056]

very good video and waiting for the Time Laps they are so much fum to watch Thank You

[@jamesmisener3006]

Enjoyed that build a lot Gavin. Sure will nice back in its cradle. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@Petesv321]

You are an Artist!

[@carloskawasaki656]

Thank you for sharing, always a pleasure watch your project and I learn a lot 👍👍👍👍

[@DragCadRacing]

For a second there, I thought you were going to go through all that effort and use the nylon timing gears. But then you swapped it. Phew! :D

[@Ivo--]

Was hoping for a longer version! Thanks for making it!

[@johnobrien5618]

Its a pleasure watching your videos, Im amazed at your knowledge, thank you...

[@Mr.Turbo6]

Remflex gaskets took care of my turbo Buick for a long time with no issues. But new engine build I won’t need them. Looks great!

[@donparker8246]

I can't wait to hear this bad boy run.😊

[@MrBHuntingDownUnder]

That was a fantastic video, well worth a watch, so much knowledge and so well put together. My hats off to you and your team 🍻

[@BLVINEOCKERMVN]

What an incredible video. Wonderfully done.

[@markmatrix9287]

Not a clue what he did but absolutely fascinating to watch. Genius.

[@dennisbrown2571]

I have been wanting to see how someone builds an engine. Amazing.

[@cricket426]

Just caught your show on Hagerty. Pretty nice, but I would like to point out a couple of things regarding Roller Cam Valve Train Components especially the valve to piston clearance. On your show it showed you claying the piston in the center of the valve pocket instead of on the edge where the valve will intersect the piston. Also most of us use the Dial Indicator method checking clearance at 10 degrees before and 10 degrees after TDC when the Camshaft is on Lobe Separation Cycle when both valves are open equally. The only other thing I would like to say is that I'm more into Mopar and BBC but on all Roller Cams that I deal with it's SO important to center the Lobe in the Lifter Bore and set the End play of the Cam which was NOT mentioned in your video. Also Indexing the piston rings was not mentioned. Important info for beginners. Enjoyed your videos. Keep it real.

[@matthewviviano3653]

We really need to start a betting pool to see if you’re 180 out!😂

[@justinschroder6094]

To risk waxing philosophical or romantic, there is something about working on cars bare-handed that feels more connected to the process. Lubricating new assemblies with bare hands allows for feeling the transfer of lubricant to exceptionally smooth and clean parts. Also, filing rings and other parts to touch is a satisfying process as well.

[@chrisvozza6530]

Very nice. All the detail and nice and slow thanks

[@marcoluoma3770]

Thanks so much for taking us down this road with you. Answers the question “how hard could it be?”

[@danielwilson6665]

Perfection is achieved by paying attention to the slightest of details during the assembly process. This is a good example and you did an excellent job. There’s one thing that I might have missed during the bottom end assembly. Did you check the crankshaft end play ? The thrust clearance should always be verified. After you got the distributor phased correctly, the Cleveland fired right up and sounded good. Well done ! 🏁

[@S2NAZ]

Really beautiful work by an expert 👍🏻

[@stansmulders6126]

Great video thank you! Great sounds when you started it😮

[@labradorguy5311]

Nice build! Your attention to detail is incredible. No need to lap valves anymore? Fire in the hole! I hate it when it's 180 out. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@DeaganZ3488]

The timing process confesses me every time.

[@stevepollard6667]

As always... excellent !!

[@markk3652]

You went over and above precision on this build. There's no way it had that from the factory. Checking ring gaps, and valve spring heights/pressures just wasn't done. It should stand the test of time now in comparison to how it was originally made. Great job as always to everyone involved in these videos.❤

[@davecaron1213]

Outstanding job. But you have to admit it's nice having all the right tools and, so it seems, an unlimited budget.

[@70sport37]

What a radical engine I’ve only seen 1 in my life in a 71 Mach that rusted away in the grass .

[@124marsh]

Thank You for this

[@nickwinn]

Your videos have convinced me to take on my first engine build project. It would be awesome if you covered the full break in process / testing process.

[@19MarcoPolo71]

It's not when the planets aligned anymore, It's when you degree your cam on the first shot! Great job!

[@johnnyhonda7576]

Thanks for the info

[@duffy9340]

Great video as usual! I would love a video like this on the Buick 455! Not much content out there on these. Im going to be rebuilding mine soon and its my first engine rebuild.

[@davew5167]

Awesome stuff! Hope the rest of the panteras gets the same level of treatment to bring it back to life.

[@edwardmohr5798]

Davin, your forte is the fire ball!

[@ronniehall1520]

Like watching you work.....good job ... would like to see the finished product installed in all your features

[@jaimepadilla9548]

I love the work you do. I could watch this all day. Can you just adopt me 😅

[@billeves4627]

I own a 351 Cleveland. Here in Australia they are the more common Ford V8. Most I have done myself is install a new set of hydraulic lifters on my flat tappet camshaft. I have the same style adjustable roller rockes. The factory worshop manual shows the adjustment of the clearances using only three positions of the crankshaft. My pulley bolt was difficult to access in the car so i used a remote starter to bump the engine over. I really hope i did it right.

[@denisovanhybrid9610]

Notice the GF embossed on the top of block ? ( Geelong Foundry)