Co$t 351W into 427

[Serpent Envy]

What is a realistic cost range to turn a 351W into 427 , not using Rousch parts? Assuming you send it to a shop to build it.

[Cashburn]

Start with a new block...

[Three Peaks]

Depending on the condition of your block to start with and your budget- a good 74 (+/-) block with stock bore will clean up at .030 over.
Add a rotating assembly, machine work, good heads, manifold, cam kit w/roller rockers and lifters, double roller timing chain, carb to suit. Add a few hundred dollars for the machine shop to assemble the engine. I did a spread sheet on this a few months ago just for kicks and it came to around $7500-$8000- about the same price as buying a complete engine from B2 Motorsports (a forum supporter/vendor and all around great guy).

If you go for a new block add $1500- $2500 to the price depending on what block you go with.

Bob

[Seagull81]

Give Keith Craft a call. He is a vendor here.

[vector1]

look on kc craigslist, there was a guy who had a 408 sitting at the machine shop to sell, or call around at some of the local machine shops, guys are always starting projects and not able to finance or turned the stuff over to the shop who in turn sells it for the money they have in it.

[blykins]

You can get close with a regular Windsor block, but it involves using an offset ground 400M crankshaft. You can also use a 4.100" Scat/Eagle crank and get within a few cubic inches of 427 depending on the bore.

If you go this route, you're looking at machine work, a crank, rods, pistons, rings, bearings, etc.

If you want to go the aftermarket route, then you start with a Ford Racing/Dart/World block, 4.125" bore, and throw a 4.000" stroke crank in it.

I'd be happy to discuss this at length with you if you wish. I've done it both ways and can give you the pros/cons of each. Either way, you will not have a true 427 FE in the car, so there are less expensive ways of getting big horsepower out of a 351W.

[WildBill3]

If you were to go with American Made Investment Billet parts from Crower in the rotating assembly with full ported Brodix heads a good standard block with Billet splayed caps you would easly double that 7500$ figure thats the way we went dont regret it but I shure understand were folks budgets are.Although in 5 years of track time thers Never been a glitch with ours.Just oil changes and set the valves every so often on the mechanical rollers.When we looked at a Levy engine they were pretty much the same as ours for a stage 5 engine a great value if your going to run hard with the Top guys at the track.

[WillisT]

Serpent envy, I've been doing some research on a 351W budget-based stroker. I know we have supporting vendors here and crate motors too, but since you asked, I'll share this ad I found on CL for a 408W stroker build. It's not a 427W, but is probably still more than is needed to scoot my roadster down the road.

I visited this shop last Saturday here in Phoenix and believe I'm going to pull the trigger with him very soon.

351 / 408 WINDSOR STROKER ENGINE W/ ALUMINUM HEADS***

HTH,
Will

[AL427SBF]

Sell the 351w and put it toward a 427 sb build, DART makes an exceptional 427w sb with room to bore, and you'll get a motor that was built from the ground up as a 427.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by WillisT

Serpent envy, I've been doing some research on a 351W budget-based stroker. I know we have supporting vendors here and crate motors too, but since you asked, I'll share this ad I found on CL for a 408W stroker build. It's not a 427W, but is probably still more than is needed to scoot my roadster down the road.

I visited this shop last Saturday here in Phoenix and believe I'm going to pull the trigger with him very soon.

351 / 408 WINDSOR STROKER ENGINE W/ ALUMINUM HEADS***

HTH,
Will

What all comes with that engine?

[bulletbrown]

There is a number of venders that are selling FE,s complete with alot of power and torgue for that price range and your FE will not look lost under the hood .

[Dwight]

why do you want a 427 Windsor motor?

We have a several of out group running 408 W motors in their Cobras. 525 hp range.

I think the 408 is a better motor, cost and performance.

Dwight

[WildBill3]

A 408 has a better rod angle than the 427sb that should deliver more longevity.And ther may be more space under the hood with a sbf but I wouldnt put a heavy FE on the nose of these cars it kills the handling.unless you want a totally original look they deliver that they are also capible of huge CID numbers.

[Serpent Envy]

I guess because the car says 427 on the side. That's the main reason. I have been checking on some 408 options. Thanks for all the ideas. I just bought the car and I am already considering changes. Ha!
Mark

[WildBill3]

ooo I see your in carthage well maybe we will see you at some midwest events glad to see moreCobra's here in the area!

[WillisT]

Originally Posted by blykins

What all comes with that engine?

Brent, The link to the ad is pretty descriptive as to the contents. For my situation, I already have a 351w dual quad intake & a pair of Holley 465's w/Stellings & Hellings air cleaners. Since the engine includes a dual plane intake (no carb), he's giving me credit for intake delete. I also have a flywheel, so I'm getting additional credit for not needing the included flexplate. Sure, it still needs an ignition and water pump. Roller cam & lifters are a $400 extra (it includes roller rockers), which pretty much offsets the credits on the other parts. Oil pan is also included, he asked if I wanted front or rear sump.
I've had my Mark 3 FFR roadster for 6 years and after 16K miles I'm ready for a more period-correct look under the hood along w/more power than the 150K mile donor efi 5.0 that I used when I built the car.
I've been collecting parts for the swap for a while now, and already have the 351W 4 into 4 ceramic coated headers, in-tank carb pick up, mechanical fuel pump for a 351W, BBF degas tank, chrome FE pentroof valve covers w/sbf adapters.
At this point, I still need the v belt pulleys & a 351 distributor.

Sorry if this sort of hi-jacked the post, but I wanted to answer your question & explain my rationale for this set up. I understand that everyone's situation is different.

Thanks & HTH,
Will

[csx4910]

WillisT,
Haven't seen you on the forum. Welcome. Before all the crazy people form Phoenix scare you off, there are some of us around here that are normal. If you are thinking about any of that engine work, you should look up Charlie at Hot Rods By Dean. They have done a great job on a lot of out cars unless you are planning/are able to do the work yourselves. They are up on Central and Deer Valley Road. Waiting to get my car back on the road from them soon. Cheers!
Ron

[WillisT]

Ron, Thanks for the tip. I met one of the guys/mechanics from Hot Rods by Dean last Memorial Day weekend during the ride up to Pine for breakfast w/some of the AZ Cobras. We chatted a bit at breakfast and I did not get the impression that they had in-house engine machining capabilities, let alone actually built stroker motors. Maybe I was mistaken and will follow-up as they're not too far from the house. If there's anything I've learned in this process, the more I look around, the fewer engine machine shops there actually are.
What I mean is that several places will lead you to believe that they actually do the work, but they outsource it. When that happens, you're now paying more $$ for mark-up for someone elses 'name'. My budget currently does not have room in it for that.

I prefer to deal w/the owner of the machine shop that is actually doing the machining and assembly work. In this case, I'm actually going to be at the shop during the engine assembly and watch the entire process.

I also met several other folks during the Tucson challenge earlier this year, but I don't think we've met. I'm off of Cave Creek Rd & the 101.

Although I'm new to this forum, I've been pretty active for the last 6 years on ffcars.com where my handle is 'LuvAZ'.


Now we have REALLY hijacked this post! ;-)

Thanks,
Will

[csx4910]

We arent too far from each other. I am at 60th street and Thunderbird. HRBD may outsource it as well, I'm not positive, I just know Charlie is the only one I trust to handle my car. I have been off the road for about a month delaing with one issue or another with my car. There have been mnay a day I wish I would of gone with a more reliable motor and/or better built car but oh well, I have learned. My next cobra if there is one will be something I can put more miles on without worrying about it.

There arent too many of us that live in the northeast. I think Scotchman lives in Paradise Valley but I dont think there is any others in our area. There is a large east valley group and quite a few west siders but us northerners have to stick together. Would love to see your car. I like them all
Ron

[Serpent Envy]

Wild Bill- I look forward to meeting some of the Shelby enthusiasts.