Hello from Finland!!! Can you tell me which v8 engines fit '73 comet without modifying shock towers? any 351?? Lassi http://robottiprojekti.googlepages.com/mercurycomet4dr1973
I think I read somewhere that a guy did it, but I just really wanted to comment on your cars, nice!!!
351w or 351c will both fit without modding the towers... However, it is VERY tight without cut towers. I put a C in mine with stock towers. It probably fit better than a W would without shaving the towers. The W exhaust comes out straight into the towers and big tube headers are pretty much out of the question. On the C, the exhaust points downward and does not interfere with the tower, so you can run some big tubes. Just the spark plugs are a bear to change with stock towers. Pretty much gotta jack the engine up. Dave Edit: Added a pic of a C with stock towers and headers. You can use up to 2" primary tubes on a Mav with 4v Cleveland. These don't look that big, might be a 2v Cleveland... not my car. I never thought to take detailed pics of mine.
I know it "fits", but who the hell wants to jack up their engine every time they need to change plugs or wires? Might be fine for a race car, but not at all practical for a Street Machine...
I am not an advocate for unshaven towers with a 351 in MY car again, however if that is what someone wants, then fine. I am just the 'messenger'. I made sure to condition the idea that that it fits with the information that plug changes will be difficult without tower mods. The rest was just getting your goat, again...
Here's an idea of what a Canfield headed 331 stroker looks like with cut back towers. After the install, I was glad as hell I cut back the towers first http://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/baddad457/ There's a bunch of pics there of the Comet and two show one side each of the towers with the engine installed. The cuts made the header bolts, spark plugs and wires go in easy as butter.
i had a 351w in mine. it fits, but, i would not do it again without the shock tower mods. too tight. only time i changed the plugs was when the engine had to come out. go with the 302. best bet, in my opinion, stroke it to 331 or 347.
