hey guys,

i'm new here and need your help. i'm currenlty thinking of buying a 'work-in-progress' '73 mach 1 fastback and need your opinion. what can you tell me of this engine bay, as it looks a lot different to what a stock mach 1 should look like. any ideas/opinions?? the guy mentioned some 'drag' modifications to the suspension... also, is the engine a cleveland?? he says it's been modded to a 480 HP, but sure as hell doesn't look like it...
the car is in perfect shape as far as body/paint/moldings/chrome goes, has most new interior and exterior parts but i'm worried about the mechanics, as it is hard to check when you don't have a comparison and are not able to start-up the engine. would appreciate any feedback.

thanks


http://w985.wrzuta.pl/obraz/4dPm6b3GRlv/mach_1


http://w985.wrzuta.pl/obraz/3P74Tn0hphL/mach_2


http://w985.wrzuta.pl/obraz/0AfMKUZCKSt/mach_3


http://w985.wrzuta.pl/obraz/3Lxs4GyNa6l/mach_4


http://w985.wrzuta.pl/obraz/11TjUZckag1/mach_5


http://w985.wrzuta.pl/obraz/5x5hU7ljX3b/mach_6


http://w985.wrzuta.pl/obraz/0vRCYUIBVLH/mach_7

 

wow! it looks rough but it does appear to be a 351C with a Holley 4 bbl with vac secondaries. I doubt seriously if it ever was any where near even 400 HP. To verify the Cleveland engine and be certain, remove a valve cover. if the valve stems are canted its a "c" if they are all in a straight line its a "w". attached is what a pure stock 73 mustang 351C with air condition and ram air looks like.

 

any ideas on why the shock mounts look the way they look (i.e. are so low)

 

Ford choked the motor for emmissions in 72 and again in 73, if that is a 351c with that stuff put back to the specs of a 71 351c it will make around 425hp.

 

It looks like it was converted from spring coil over shock to double wishbone. No small feat and except for making the engine bay more roomy, I don't get it.

Here are more things to help ID a Cleveland vs a Windsor:
351 Windsor
5-bolt straight valve covers
radiator hose to the intake manifold
regular 5/8" spark plugs gs
valves 1.78 I 1.54 E
good oil system
same heads on 2v and 4v carbs

351 Cleveland
8 bolt 2-plane valve covers
radiator hose does not connect to intake
small 14mm spark plugs
2.19I 1.70 E
poor oil system
different heads for 2v and 4v carbs

 

If I were buying it, I would make my offer based on the assumption that the engine is a total loss and the front suspension would have to be restored.

Since it cannot be started, run or driven, my only safe choice is to resume the worst across the board. I would suspect someone is looking for a sucker.

I do respect the fact that I do not know the whole story or your knowledge of the seller, of course.