BKKSW

I'm hoping to draw on your experience. Today I bought a 351w complete, 4AE-6015-FA. I think it's from a 1983 Bronco, 225hp HO 4bll..

Currently it's a greasy lump of ugly, but has good compression on all cylinders and turns over easy. I'm going to tear it down and measure the bore/crank soon.

My goals for this are 400hp, longevity/reliability, and low build cost. How/what would you recommend?

Thank you.

jwog666

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCAT-CLEVELAND-408ci-STROKER-ROTATING-KIT-FORGED-DISH-/261335973860?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

you cant go wrong with a stroker

BKKSW

Let me ask you this.. does stroking a small block to such a degree cause issues with driveability, cooling, or reliability? We could get what... 430ci out of the thing.. so why have big blocks? I suppose i"m wondering why designers made the two different footprints.. and what we give up to stroke.

Have you used this company you linked?

Thank you.

jwog666

i built a 347 for a hobbystock car a few years ago, it was an eagle forged kit, with srp pistons. ran great. you will hear some old wives tales about oil consumption, and piston wear. but most of these were concerns that happened before the custom ground cranks were engineered. before that people used to use cranks from other engines and offset grind them to make them fit, using all sorts of mix match parts for rods and bearings, sometimes even using spacers to shim the main bearings. the modern kits from widely know manufacturers really have no difference in life span over stock offerings. i dont know if i would go all the way to 430, lol but a 383, or 408 windsor would be more than enough extra cubes combined with some free flowing aluminum heads to really make some power, while retaining the factory looks for the most part.


just an idea, i used something similar to this, but i upgraded the pistons and went with a forged and balanced kit from a local speed shop>>>>>>>>> http://www.jegs.com/i/Eagle/356/B160...FQuPaQodCyUFxw

BKKSW

Thanks. You've given me some good ideas to think about.

Iff top of your head, what are machine shop costs for prepping a block, cleaning, decking, align-boring, etc?

btw - I have a 99' similar to your 97.. but I'm making 450rwhp and that's on the conservative side.. 4v heads.. love them.

jwog666

nice car! i dont remember costs anymore, some of the costs were sponsored as i was running it on track, but it wasnt alot more than building a regular engine, the only real difference is the internal clearanceing that has to be done, but that is no biggie, all the machine shop needs is the crank, bearings, and 1 rod/piston assembly, and then they can clearance it for the extra stroke

69mach1377

You don't need to stroke it for 400hp, but it does come easier that way. Just make sure you get a windsor kit, not cleveland. It's all in the heads and cam.

BKKSW

Thanks. I'm going to make some choices and start calling around for machining..

BKKSW

Thanks. Any recommendations for heads?

jwog666

http://www.cjponyparts.com/afr-cylin...FQwxaQodgdYNaA i hear great things about AFR, a guy at work is building a 347 as we speak and he went with a set. they seem very nice