New to this!

[adrtree]

I bought a Unique 65 replica with a 351 Cleveland. It has a Quick Fuel 750 with an extra Demon 750 Carb, Aluminum Edelbrock heads with an Offy Intake and Earnie Elliot oil injected Valve Covers, Sweet Rack Steering, Afco Suspension and brakes. I don;'t know too much history on the engine build but can any of you guys give me your opinion on the horsepower range on this engine???? I can't even guess. It has roller rockers and it would seem a little more than mild cam. Any opinions??? Thanks

[azfordman]

Welcome, nice looking car! Can't help with the hp numbers.... I run a 351w and I can tell you it is a great fit for one of these cars. How long have you had yours? Have you had the opportunity to put many miles on it yet?

[adrtree]

I've had this car for 2 months now. I actually moved from Georgia to Southern Norway and the car just arrived a few days ago. I cold fouled the plugs the second day it was here. It has no provision for a thermostat in the block so it won't run above 150 in the winter. If it helps any the cars compression comes out to around 165psi so we figure its somewhere around 9 to 1?? Does this sound right?

[azfordman]

I am far from an engine expert, so hopefully some others will chime in. I'm not sure how the block cannot have the ability to use a thermostat....???

[adrtree]

Yes it is mystery on the block. Several mechanics and race guys have looked at engine and say it is not a typical 351C. It is a machined passage in the block with no provision for the stat. Some of the parts on the car are Earnie Elliot such as the Oil Injected Valve covers. According to the previous owner this was a custom race engine originally built by Elliot for another car but I have not looked in to this to verify it. He may have been full of it. It seems questionable to me considering the compression being so low. The car also maintains 50 to 70 psi on oil pressure. Arizona must be nice right now. Here in Norway we have 3 inches of solid ice on the driveway right now. Not great driving weather.

[cobred]

Doesn't the thermostat mount in the intake manifold under the thermostat housing?

[azfordman]

I cannot imagine there is not a way to install an inline thermostat.... Although with snow on the ground driving the cobra is probably not at the top of your to do list. Yes, weather is great here. Had a couple of nights below freezing last week, but back to normal 60-70 degree days now. Was out for a nice drive this afternoon.

[FWB]

the inlet for the t-stat is to the passenger side of center front in the block on the top. the t-stat housing will bolt right to the block like a 460. it may be covered. take a pic of the front of the motor from the top and post it.
i would get a t-stat in it 150 is much too cool to run the oil at.
any way if you have the edelbrock performer 2v heads and a mild cam you are probably in the 320 to 350 HP range. if a single plane intake maybe less.
the dual plane intake would be most desirable on the cleveland.

[FWB]

does the block look like the above pic? where the distributor goes in? under the rad hose is the t-stat.
now if your block isn't like that in the front, back in the crappy days, we used to put cleveland heads on windsors, so you may have that going on and the t-stat may be an issue if the cleveland intake was used........post a pic.......


here is an example, and their solution to the t-stat issue. drilled and tapped fittings into the heads for a remote stat housing

[FIA-ERA]

If you have a actual "Ernie Elliott" Nascar style motor it should be a Windsor style not a Cleavland style block. It should have Cleavland heads BUT the distributor will be in a different location. The intake should not have a provision for a thermostat and most Elliott/ Roush/ Yates motors have water inlet directly to each cylinder head. If you have all of that it will be harder to install a thermostat BUT not impossible. They make inline thermostats and such because they tend to use them and or restrictors when qualifying the motors back then. It should have a single plain spider type intake. Most of these motors were dry sumped too and didn't have provisions for external oiling (oil filter). You really need to post some pics other wise it a shot in the dark. By the way, having the "oil injected valve covers" doesn't necessarily mean you have one of his motors. You can bolt those onto any Cleavland style head and boom you've got the look! Get some pics, I'm curious! Matt

[adrtree]

Thanks for all the advice. Seems like you guys know your stuff. I will take pictures of the motor tomorrow and post them. It is almost midnight here i'm 6=9 hours ahead of you guys.
I was doubtful of some of the claims the previous owner made but I liked the car anyway. I will take some pics of the trans also and maybe you guys can identify it. I know Jeeps top to Bottom but these cars are new to me.