Ok guys, i've had a '68 convertible sitting in my garage for a few years now. Cars great, has the original 289, but my dad and I got it with intent of building a 427 stroker out of it. Now i'll probably down size the stroker but I want some opinions on good blocks and prices i'm looking at. I want to keep the original stuff original, but it's time for a fun project.

Any help would be appreciated,

Robert

 

First problem is that you can't stroke out a 289 to 427. You can push a 351W to 427, although IMO it's pushing the limits of reliability.

If you can live with a 331 or 347, your 289 block should work just fine.

 

I know you can't use a 289, said i'm pulling it, guess I should of been more specific. I'm not planning on messing with my stock block as its a #'s matching block. I want to stroke a 351W, what's the best block?

 

a stock 351w block will work fine, provided your not going to have a 700hp beast, what are you HP goals? budget?

 

Budget isn't crazy, I would like someone to break down what I will probably be spending. I don't like to half @ss things so I would rather save and build it right the first time. I don't see it being over 500 hp i'm thinking really mild at 400-450 somewhere in there. It's not a strip car by any means, but given the opportunity I have no problem taking it down. Think it's going to make a nice cruiser by the time it's said and done.

I'm going to surprise my dad with the block as a Christmas present, would it be better to salvage a block or how much do new ones cost?

I'm not sure on heads either I've never built an older motor except a 4 cylinder out of an old *****'s jeep which is completely different than anything i've ever seen (take a spark plug out of it and people will actually ask you what it is, have a water jacket around them).

I've got a good machine shop that can do a P&P on the heads, but they know my dad really well so i'm skittish to talk to them about this just yet. Any help/budget would be great, I can earn what I need just like to know what i'm looking at.

 

If you have the budget these are nice

http://www.mustangengines.com/

 

Have more fun building them myself only way to learn anything, look like some pretty nice motors though thanks for the link

 

you dont need a 427 for 450hp.

you could get that easily outta a stroked 302.

 

Yes, but a 383 would be a much more streetable and reliable engine at 450hp than a 331 or 347.

 

I know I could, just what my dad really wants to play with I think i'll end up going 408 with i'm thinking 500-550.

I'm not totally sure of his ultimate goal, just know I need to come up with a 351w block, was wondering what my best option would be

And plus 1 on the reliability factor