Hey guys. So I'm still working on the cosmetics of the car, but it's looking like I should be done by summer with everything. I've decided since this is not my daily driver, that I would upgrade my choice of engine from a 302 to 347. I don't really know too much about the technical aspects of the parts just by reading the numbers, so if anyone could tell me if this is a decent deal, or if they know of a better one, that would be great. I really want this baby to haul. Thanks! http://www.coasthigh.com/10668-PS-F347-SB-p/10668-ps-f347-sb.htm Or can I just use a normal 302 block which I can get for about $150 on Craigslist with the kit? Or will there be a durability issue? http://www.coasthigh.com/Ford-347-Dome-Top-9-0cc-Pro-Street-Kit-p/10480-ps-f347.htm
the machineing and assembly for a 347 can cost you a 1000 bucks depending on how much needs to be done. so the assembled short block looks to be a good deal. you say this is not going to be a daily driver but what are you going to use it for? that short block would be good for a street strip or just street application. if you wanted to use it more for racing applicatons then you may want to get the compression increased with asking for different pistons. that will get you more power. or if you wanted to run a blower or turbo you my want to get dished pistons for lower compression to be able to run higher boost levels.
i'm not going to race it seriously or anything, just make it a nice street car that has some power. yeah and I was worried about the cost of machining, but I wanted to make sure the assembled block was a decent deal.
do these prices include SHIPPING? ...and there are other parts to buy to complete a 347 build... ... heads, intake, roller rockers, exhaust/headers, fuel pump, radiator, flexplate/fly wheel, converter/clutch, locking rear, lower rear gear, traction device, frame connectors, carb. and dist.to name a few... to the board...:Handshake Frank
The kit you linked to has +9 cc domes, too high compression. The short block you linked to has a forged crank, really not necessary in a stock Ford small block because the block will crack long before even a cast crank. (Ask me how I know) The good thing about the forged crank is that it's probably made in the U.S. All small block Ford cast cranks are made over seas somewhere where English is a foriegn language. Machinists have told me that the Scat stroker kits seem to need less work to get the crank straightened out and balanced. The last 347 I put together had $800 in machine work done on the block and crank, that's with me grinding the notches in the cylinder walls to clear the rod bolt nuts. Balancing the rotating assembly cost another $275, they had to make the counterweights look like swiss cheese because of the light weight rods and pistons I used. And you really don't want to put 302 heads, intake, carb on a 347 and choke it. But those parts are easy to add later when you are able. They may call them "kits", but you can't just bolt them in and go.
That short block and the long block for that matter only have a 90 day warranty. You would have to bust your hump to get it in and running so you can put some miles on it before the warranty runs out. It would be the pits to get it running on day 91 and have a knock!
I used a Scat stroker crank to build my 393 Cleveland. My engine shop told me it took so little effort to get it in balance with my flywheel and a new damper bolted together as an assembly. I also wound up using reverse dome pistons to get rid of a bunch of the compression made using Boss 351 closed chamber heads. It still has 10 to 1 compression but would have been a ton more using flat tops and through the roof with dome pistons.
Save yourself a ton of money and aggravation and talk to Woody at www.fordstrokers.com He is by far the best resource for strokers! Even if you want the satisfaction of building it yourself, you can get a kit from him ready to go! Please check him out before you decide!
I know! All the machine work is done and I can tell you from personal experience, Woody is the ****!! Killer guy!
Corey, my wife will send it over in the am, thanks Heres a visual to check out my work, I know how hard it is dealing with this amount of money when your far away, rest assured, no junk from my shop Click the images tab http://www.fordstrokers.com/fordstrokers-liberator-short-blocks/fordstrokers-engine-gallery-1.html
