A roller block would be best but are hard to find. You can use a older block but it will need to be converted to roller or use tie bar lifters which are not cheap. Any 351 block will be good. I would go with the 408 which easily can make 450+ hp. just for a parts list and price guide here is the place I work at.
http://tandlengines.com/

 

Go with the 393 stroker instead of the 408. This is slightly less hp but the durability factor on the 393 is much better.

Couple that with a nice set of heads cam and all the other goodies and you will be seeing ~500whp.

This is what I am doing with my 65 right now.

 

Yeah I commented on your thread, like I said my dad had been thinking a 427 but as was noted the hp you do gain from that isn't in a noticeable area.

And thanks for the link man helps out a bit. I work at Eagle so I have a bit of a connection with the kit and I know some really good local shops for my block work and heads, i'm just happy to get the ball rolling on this project.

 

Well if you want the *best* block check out the Man O' War blocks:
http://www.worldcastings.com/prods_p...ks/manowar.htm

You can stroke those blocks out to 470cid.

 

With one of those tall decks, should I have any clearance issues with the hood?

 

guys you leader him in the wrong direction, everyone these days has a 351, i say go for the big block , ( FE big blocks FTW! )

 

@EagleStroker You shouldn't have any problems with hood clearance, but things may be tight around the shock towers.
@390bigblock1 Yeah, but with a Man O' War block he can get more displacement than the largest ford big block, plus it'll be 100-150lb lighter and with better aftermarket support. Also he shouldn't have to modify his shock towers to squeeze it in.

 

Double Post.

 

Man O' War block is what I would recommend for serious power, but he's only building a mild power plant so a and a stock 351w block will do fine.

 

Forget a big block, with a large 351w stroker I can have the power without the weight, that's what I see as the major advange

And as far as building power I don't have a problem over building, leaves room for change later, just depends on how much one of those blocks runs I couldn't find any pricing.