No stroker - 351W install with super comps

[STU]

I had a long look at fitting the powerdyne blower kit from a 94 GT in my Merc, not gonna happen without a bunch of work so it's for sale on Kijiji locally....Here's what I have in my posession right now:


B-303 cam
1.7 crane roller rockers
Ford racing X302 aluminum heads, 1.94/1.54 valves
ARP head bolts
Hawk main girdle with ARP main studs
Weiand stealth intake
750 Holley, mech secondaries, 4 corner idle
stock duraspark dizzy with Mallory Hyfire digital ignition box
FRPP 9mm wires
Hooker super comps, ceramic coated but I'm having them re-done
Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump and A2000 regulator (both are new)

I was looking at stroker kits on ebay, I can get an eagle kit for $1000 or a Scat kit for about $800 plus shipping....Locals want $1700 for a kit. ....I'm figuring a 347 with 9.5:1 or 10:1 comp should make 400HP easily with the above parts....Anyone here bought an ebay stroker kit?

[roy]

Just heard very iffy reports buying stroker kits on line
So, i went to an engine builder who ordered for me right from Callies, but, he had Eagle, Scat too
For steel crank, forged rods, pistons (anticipating turbo or blower to come)) it ran me about $1500.
I do wish i;d bit the bullet & ordered an aftermarket block though
You can easily hit over 450hp if its built right.
So, no way i can even think about a turbo or blower with my 70;s block even though she;s built :
stud girdle, windage tray all ARP studs throughout.
I was just talking to John of Stefko racing engines who ordered/built my stroker.
He says the only shop he knows that customers have had great results with on line is:
Woodys stroker builds
I know Woody administrates a SBFord site, just don;t know the full name but i could look it up if you want it
And, we did start out with Alum.heads with same valve sizes as your Ford heads, dyno did show them to be holding us back some, we did have em worked on & gained approx. 20hp. If i was doing it again i would definatley go to next valve size up.
Good luck!

[STU]

I'm pricing the kits locally first, trying to avoid brokerage fee's and etc. I think I'll go with the 331 for longevity - I don't need the oil consumption issue of a 347 in the back of my mind.

[johnc118]

If you are going to push the small blcok get a after market block!!!!!!!!!! Even the valley girdles will not keep a factory block from splitting.

Roy what brand head were those?

www.motorator.com/questions/75

[roy]

That 347 oiling problem was fixed yrs. ago, just make sure you get a late 347 stroker kit, there are stil some of the "early" kits on sale cheap, new kits no longer have that oil land intersecting problem.
If you talk to Woody or any engine builder, they will tell you to go for the extra cubes for sure
John: Heeads were a brand new set of Edelbrock RPM;s with the 1.94/1.60;s
They proved to be a cork on the dyno, so after much massaging, valve change, spring change for the $$$ i should have just gone with Canfields or at least a head with 2.02;s
There was so much work to do on the Edelbrocks (mismatched springs, 3 valves seats unfinished,) I did get some compensation from Edelbrock, but it set me back about 2 months.
If i hadn;t had a pro builder look them over i probably would have just installed them & then tried to figure out why i wasn;t making any power!

[STU]

The stock blocks will take a lot from what I've seen, 400HP won't hurt it, no blower or cheater gas involved....The local guy wants $1450 plus tax for a Scat 331 Kit, forged rods and a cast steel crank. I'm still muling over the 351W swap using the engine from my ranger project.

[roy]

If you talk to any engine builder that builds strokers, i;m sure they will tell you there;s no point in pickin the 331, you will wish you went with a 342-347.
unless its got something to do with class racing, engine size
But, if you have a 351 already i would certainly go for the extra cubes, no brainer!
The little 347 is a gas for sure, way more fun than my built 5.0 & it was a pro built screamin little motor.
But, with the 347, , cause you know the thrill is gonna where off & when i want more power, i got nowhere to go!
Stock block comes back to haunt me!
If i was running a 351, & it got boring, you got lots of room for more & more

[STU]

The 351W create's more work and costs about the same but it wouldn't have aftermarket rods like the stroker.

[roy]

Your right Stu, and you would want to do the Shock Tower notch thing for 351 header fit too
Cost about the same to build the 347 or 351, you think?
Just with the 351, you have room to grow becuase you know & i know, eventually, the 347 is gonna get boring!

[STU]

The 351w is already built and sitting in my race truck project, it's the mods/parts required to put it in the meteor that makes the cost ad up to a stroker.....Unless I can get my supper comps to work and at this point I think they would fit ok with the shock tower mods.

[STU]

the 351W from my ranger project is now in the Merc, more pics to come as I make the super comp headers fit without modifying the shock towers.

[ca]

looks like maybe you could grind on a few spots and slip them headers in, no?

[STU]

I have the pass side header bolted up, had to cut 3 tubes....I ground and removed the front tube from the flange, moved it in and rotated it down some - fits nice now....I had cut the header to clear the frame and I still have to cut it to clear the idler arm - it's almost rubbing it. The drivers side header will need some work around the steering box and front tube/shock tower area - good thing I have a recip saw and a mig welder... ;D ;D ;D....I'm going to tack them together and have them tig welded for a cleaner look.

[roy]

d**n, that was quick Stu!
Nice work on the Hookers
I;ve been staring at my Dr. side header for bout 3 days now.
I do wish i'd cut the #3 tube to clear rack & pinion st.shaft BEFORE i installed booster/MC.
It may go in from underneath.
Of course i used locktite on the Borgeson joint bolts, thinking it was in for good.
You;ve given me insentive to get er done

[ca]

very slick. how did you end up so close to the idler? i don't remember mine bein that close when i set them in there.