I talked to an engine builder in my area today and he suggested that I go with a 347 stroker instead of a rebuild or a crate 302. I told him I want to make about 350hp or as much as I can without doing significant mods to the rest of the car. He said he can find me a 347 with about that hp for $2100-$2500. That sounds AMAZING to me compared to other stuff I have seen. He was highly recommended by quite a few ppl on a local forum so I am fairly confident he would do a good job with everything, and he was a really nice guy on the phone.

He also said he would charge about $750 to remove my 289, clean and repaint the engine bay, fix any wiring problems or whatever, and install the new 347, and then break it in and tune it. I was planning on doing this myself, but I am wondering if that is a bad plan. I have zero experience with stuff like that and i dont really know anyone who could help. Im not worried about getting the engine in and stuff but I am worried about breaking it in and tuning it and all that. Plus, if I do something wrong, I cant afford to fix it (im only 17).

What do you guys think? Does that sound good, bad, or too good to be true? Should I take a stab at the install and break in?




ps- for those who remember my last thread, I am still planning on doing the brakes before I get it back on the road with a new engine, and my parents said they would "help me out" (financially) with whatever I decide.

 

That seems like a great price. I have a will have a bill from my tuner to chase down little problems and do a custom chip on the computer that is going to be about the same as the 347 you are going to buy. I only wonder what heads you are going to have. It would be a shame to have a 347 with crappy flowing heads.

 

I dont really care what he puts on there as long as I get the hp. He said he will get good flowing heads, but I dont know anything about heads...

I am kind of wondering if he was talking about a short block or something cuz his price quote sounds like a really good deal. Either that or im lucky, or he is just being nice cuz he knows I cant afford much.

 

A short block for that price would make sense. I was quoted $2500 for a 331/347 blower short block.

 

okay, well ill be sure when he calls me back.

anybody have suggestions about the install/tune?

 

 

building a mustang should be a journey not a destination. why are you in so much of a hurry?

to go from what you have now to what you are talking would be like jumping from a bi-plane to an F-18...ok, so i exaggerate a little. Point is your not going to know/understand/appreciate the steps in between. Just my $0.02 of course.

 

I couldn't have said it better.
learn to turn those spanners on what you haev. Get it running right and in doing so, get an understanding of how it all works. You will gain confidance, and after a short time, doing an engine swap won't look so daunting. Besides, theres nothing like the satisfaction of cleaning and detailing an engine bay. I guarantee that if you pay someone to do it, it wont look as good as if you do it youself.

 

Well, I would love to do that, but I dont really have the time, money, or experience for it. I am in school and that takes up most of my time, and I work, and am planning on getting another job to make money for college. I dont want to put money into the car that will just go to waste later. This is my dream car, and I am building it to be the way I want it to be. This is my first car and I dont really have anyone helping me in fixing it up, except my dad, who knows a decent amount, but not enough for most of the major work. Im "in a hurry" cuz the car just sits in the garage now and I want to have it done for this summer. I will be going to college and wont be able to bring the car with me, so I would like to enjoy it while I can. During/after college I plan on taking automotive courses and learning as much as I can, at which point I will prolly buy a few cars just to tinker on. I do what I know I can (basically the whole entire interior so far) but I will leave it up to more experienced ppl for big stuff.

For the mustang tho, I am just going to build it right the first time. Plus, my daily driver is a 14 second car, and I want the mustang to be a weekend strip car, so its too slow now!

fast66- I detailed the engine bay the best I could and it just brings out the.....uh.....vintage look. lol. at car shows I roll the windows down and barely crack the hood in hopes that ppl will look at my nice interior. plus, the lines of the car look much better with the hood shut.

Basically, I see what you guys are saying, and I agree, but im just not there now. In the future ill have cars to learn on (model t, 50s merc, 70s corvette, rat rod, 4x4, etc are my plans!) and I will tinker on those, but I just dont want to take risks with the stang.

 

I'd be a little weary. I know that there is a labor difference between here and there, but it seems he'd be working damn near for free. With all the stuff he needs and parts extra like oil and coolant, paint and primer.....he's working for like12 bucks/hr, or he'll fly through it to make 16/hr. dunno. Seems too damn cheap.