392 stroker Ford crate engine

oncebitten · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 08:23 PM

looking for anybody who has had the experience. We are purchasing a turnkey car from Backdraft on february 3rd 05 and selected the 392 stroker from Ford based on recommendations.
Anybody out there have one installed? What do you think?

G.R. · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 09:57 PM

I had one in my old SPF. Never gave me any problems. Had plenty of power for the weight. Had a beefier cam installed and an edlebrock manifold and Holley 750 dp. Can't remember all the details about the engine build as I had it done and just wrote the check. I wanted a good dependable engine for my new Cobra , something that had some "go power" but would not be finicky, ran on reg. gas and could be driven across country without worry.

But I'm not a mechanic and I know some of these wrencheads here will have some differing opinions. But in my experience the 392 crate stroker was a good choice for me and my introduction to Ford engines.

trs900 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 06:43 AM

I have BDR#165 with 392 Ford crate motor.. with 500 miles so far seems to be ok.. power is there all the time..no dead spots.. idles nice once it is warmed up.. so far so good.. i am thinking about changing heads to AFR 205's for a little more power..

TerrysSPF · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 07:15 AM

It is my understanding that the early versions had a few "issues" (oiling problems, pistons, etc.) but Ford has since addressed those problems. I guess the new one's even come with Forged pistons.
I have a friend with a newer 392 in his SPF and loves it. He put a set of AFR 205's on and gained about 65HP over the GT40x heads! I thought that was great, but now he's thinking of a cam change to get a little more out of it. He thinks a cam change is in order to go with the extra flow of the 205 heads. If you don't want to go through changing the cam, then he says the AFR185's are a better match to the stock 392 cam. Read an article once (can't remember the Mag) that said they recieved a 70 or 75 HP increase just by changing to the AFR185 heads and leaving everything else on the 392 crate alone. That's HUGE. That puts you right around 500HP.....which is nice.

Todd Spence · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 08:34 AM

I had BDR 93 with a 392 FMS stroker and a 3.91 gear. The car hit hard and was fast. Only thing it lacked was the pull of a big block. I now have a 427 s/o 500 hp 565 ft lbs and if I raced ol 93 I wouldn't loose it until the end of the quarter mile. It was a very reliable engine I was happy with at a excellent price. Good Luck!!

Goober · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 12:14 PM

I have one and it dynoed 452 HP from the advertised 430 HP. Great motor for the money. Don't rev it past 6200 and it will last a long time. I agree with Terry about the GT40X heads. They are OK, but a lot of HP can be gained by changing to AFR's or other after market heads. Remember the older 392 has cast crank and cast pistons. The new 392 has forged pistons, but still retains the cast crank.

Just my 2 cents
Mark

Jim Downard · #7 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 01:32 PM

Wow,
That being said, buy a FMS 392 short block and use the savings to go after the AFR's, and intake + carb of your choice.
Jim

Dave Grabowski · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 07:22 PM

I have the 392 also. Runs pretty strong but I do have some hesitation at take off and lagging at above 3000 rpm's when I get on it. I am 99% sure it is not the motor. I believe it is either the carb or electronics. I am running a Holley 770 Avenger and MSD 6 ignition. Thinking about changing carb. I welcome any advice on carb or solving problem.

Dave

Steve R · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2005, 07:52 AM

Dave,
I installed one in my friend's Cobra. The paperwork from Ford said to time it to 32 Deg total advance. At that specification, it had your symptoms. We bumped the timing to 34 and the problems went away.
Steve

v35b · #10 (**permalink**) 02-03-2005, 09:17 AM

I have the exact set up that you are considering w/ MSD. I have only good things to say. It's an easy driver around town with good kick on the open road. The temperatures seem to stay in range which was a concern for me living in AZ. If you have considered all of your options and you have arrived at this one. I don't see any reason to hesitate. You should be happy and have the opp. for upgrades down the road. You SPF # 1943.

cobrak · #11 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 10:06 AM

I will be placing an order today for a Backdraft racing cobra. I intend on using the Form motorsports 392. I am happy to see that the feedback is positive.
What clutch and bell housing is everyone using on this engine?

cobrak

doublepumper · #12 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 10:37 AM

I got one of the early 392's from Ford. It was a good engine at first, but after 1500 miles, the oil pump driveshaft snapped in two due to CASTING SLAG wedging the oil pump impeller against the housing. Ford took it back for nothing, supposedly went through it, and shipped it back. 2000 miles later, I had the #1 piston completely disintegrate into thousands of pieces that in turn bent several valves. Strangely enough, the 392's started coming from Ford with forged pistons. I didn't even pursue the issue because it's a pain in the ass...just fixed it myself and put some nice Diamond pistons in it.

Point being, the early 392's had oiling and piston problems...I'm happy with the motor powerwise...and I think the new ones are good to go. Buy the new 392, slap some AFR 185's on it and you have at 525hp out of the box.

FlakMan · #13 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 10:53 AM

I have the " M6007-C347" 302-347 CID SMALL BLOCK – 450 HP "Z" HEAD FORD RACING PERFORMANCE CRATE ENGINE ASSEMBLY in my 66 Mustang. I have put a little over 3000 miles w/o any problem. I have a 750CFM double pumper Holley on mine.

rob frink · #14 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 11:57 AM

..........

trs900 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 04:17 PM

Mine has a steel lakewood bell housing & a mccleod dual performance clutch..

FlakMan · #16 (**permalink**) 03-07-2005, 08:16 AM

I also use a Lakewood steel bellhousing, a McLeod 164 ring gear 14.215" OD single disk (500 ft-lb rating). My transmission is a Toploader. I run a 3.55 31 Spline Traction-Loc in my 9" rear end.

Unique580hp · #17 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 06:50 AM

TerrysSPF · #18 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 07:10 AM

Unique: Now WHAT does the picture of the 55 Chevy have to do with this thread? Don't tell me you have a Ford 392 crate engine in that beauty!

BTW: Nice car!

Unique580hp · #19 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 04:45 PM

Sorry Terry,

I was having trouble posting photos and so I opened up the first thread that I came to and practiced posting a photo on it. My 55 has a built 454 in it.

Sorry about the weird post.

Scott

CowtownCobra · #20 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim Downard

Wow,
That being said, buy a FMS 392 short block and use the savings to go after the AFR's, and intake + carb of your choice.
Jim

Save even more money, buy a Keith Craft stroker short block and a good set of heads. I did. Makes about 540 hp, runs great.