BlazeGT

So i finally got a 351w engine. The thing was in a fire, so im starting from scratch, which means stripping off everything that is still on the block. Should i just start unbolting everything i can or is there anything i need to keep in mind while doing it. Its an almost complete engine, with a lot of damage to most everything but the block from the fire. Any suggestions? Thanks.

vristang

Are you going to rebuild it yourself or have a builder/shop put it together?

Everything should come clean in a hot tank, I would think.



jason

BlazeGT

Im planning on rebuilding it very slow. It will be my first rebuild so im also looking for a good step by step book that would include stroking it to a 408. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

vristang

I don't know of any books that specifically cover the stroker build process, but the following are pretty decent for getting started...

Engine Building & Re-Building
How To Rebuild Small-Block Ford Engines by Monroe
The Step-By-Step Guide to Engine Blueprinting by Voegelin
How to Rebuild the Small – Block Ford by Reid
Engine Builders Handbook by Monroe


I would just start taking parts off. Get everything cleaned up, so you can see what you have to start with.

What year is the block?
Is it all stock?


jason

nmerrill

Yea just start by srtipping it all down. If you are getting new bolts(recommended) then your good, but if you are using the old ones you might want to mark, or take a picture of where they are. You will want to take the block to the machine shop and have them go through it completely, especially since it has been through a fire. As far as stroker kits, the install process it the same as a regular bore/stroke, so just get the above mentioned book and you should be good!

fordstroker

408's need the bottom of the cylinder notched to achieve atleast a .060-.070 thou clearance between the rod bolt and cylinder

vristang

^^^I also had to clearance the housing of my oil pump.


I think that was it though

jason

BlazeGT

The block is out of a 1994 f series truck. As far as i know it was all stock before the fire. I have a few pics that ill try to post here in a minute.

BlazeGT

Not sure on the quality of this pic...doesnt show much either

MadMan@TheWheel

You are going to find out that a lot of that stuff is going to be hard to get out of the block. Bolts will be seized, etc.. But I would tear down, send it to have it cleaned and checked (sometimes the excessive heat produced by a fire induces more stress on a block than you would think). Have the bores machined and re-honed. The block will have to be notched to build a 408. Then buy your bottom end kit from a reputable mfg.