new to ford ?'s about my 377 stroker

luckycobra · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2012, 05:46 PM

I am new to fords and have got a 377 sbf windsor block. My question is this engine was built for boost (supercharger/turbo). If it was left N/A I am wondering what kind of power it would make. Here are some details:

351W block .030 over
8.5 compression
trw forged pistons
H-beam rods
Scat offset crank
Alum heads AFR
Cam specs: cam lift valve lift lobe center lash
.320int/.335ext .512int/.536ext 112 .025

Adv. Dur. .050 Dur.
298int/308ext 238int/248

I just dont know how this engine will perform N/A with this compression, and I would really rather spend $ on the rest of the build.
Thanks in advance.

olddog · #2 (**permalink**) 11-20-2012, 06:14 PM

Without using desktop dyno, my gut feel is you will give up 30-40 hp (verses 10:1). Depending on which AFR heads, I would guess at least 350 Hp.

I expect you could run 87 octane gasoline. You could always add a blower later if you want more power.

PS:
I'm no builder. Just read a few books. Well I did build a few Chevy and a Mopar 35+ years ago.

luckycobra · #3 (**permalink**) 11-20-2012, 06:48 PM

Olddog,
that is what i was thinking exactly, i have built a handful of chevy engines, the heads are 185's i believe. I am no builder as well but always nice to hear advice and to ask questions. This will be a long term build as my budget is not what it normally is with my builds.
Thanks for the quick response

vector1 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-20-2012, 11:20 PM

i have a 383 i just tore down for this reason. really nice rotating assy but the compression was 8.8 for boost, and it was just disappointing in the performance category.

PS-- nice short block for sale or rotating assy!!!!

Clois Harlan · #5 (**permalink**) 11-21-2012, 05:51 AM

Easy fix to make more power. Talk to your machinist who will probably suggest a new set of pistons and maybe a little porting. Pistons are relatively cheap and if you think you will need more hp now is the time to do it. $1000 could make a very serious engine out of it. What carb are you going to run? Maybe a Quick fuel 750?

I you are going with a TKO 3550, TKO 600, or T56 you might consider some 3.70/3.73 gears and a limited slip. If you are just going with a stock T-5 you might want to leave it alone. I could make it go fast!

luckycobra · #6 (**permalink**) 11-21-2012, 07:11 AM

Ive got a few choices. I have the 377 also a well built Bischoff 347 est. 435 hp also a 1993 cobra 302 & a 302 from a 1985 mustang. As far as trans I have a T-5 & a TKO 3550. Carb was going to be a quick fuel 750. As far as rear end, I have a 9" with 3:55 & a 8.8 with 3:73. I got the Cobra as a unfinished project and have aquired a few good parts from mustangs, then the mustang bug got me and I now have two. Alot of good parts but I have to re-do everything the previous owner touched.

vector1 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-21-2012, 07:21 AM

clois is correct and that is some good advice, which i considered.

i had something similar in engine analyzer, so i put your specs in and came up with 439/443. if your compression was 10-1 it would be in the 457/465 area, for comparison. if you had a good 10-1 408ci you would be in the 550/550 area, but would cost bigger heads also.

luckycobra · #8 (**permalink**) 11-21-2012, 08:08 AM

I apreciate all the good advice guys, if this 377 is around 400 hp/tq I can live with that for awhile. I am going to talk to my machinist after the holiday and see what he says. I know that he has built a few side oilers and has a good handle on fords. Unfortunatly I have alot of cash to spend on other finishing parts (interior mostly) so it my be some time before I pull the trigger on installing the engine. I venture to say I will probably take the 377 & have the comp bumped up . I know I will be much happier and it will serve my heavy foot problem well.

luckycobra · #9 (**permalink**) 11-21-2012, 12:37 PM

So correction aparantly i have AFR 205 heads. A freind of mine is a ford guy and came by my shop to pick up materials and took a look.

lovehamr · #10 (**permalink**) 11-21-2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckycobra

Ive got a few choices. I have the 377 also a well built Bischoff 347 est. 435 hp also a 1993 cobra 302 & a 302 from a 1985 mustang. As far as trans I have a T-5 & a TKO 3550. Carb was going to be a quick fuel 750. As far as rear end, I have a 9" with 3:55 & a 8.8 with 3:73. I got the Cobra as a unfinished project and have aquired a few good parts from mustangs, then the mustang bug got me and I now have two. Alot of good parts but I have to re-do everything the previous owner touched.

That's a lot of Ford stuff for a non-Ford guy!

luckycobra · #11 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 05:53 AM

Yeah I know, I wouldnt say Im not a ford guy, I just havent built any. Im more of a car guy, I like all makes. If a car is cool and catches my attention I like it whether its ford, chevy, mopar, vw, bmw etc...
I asked questions here so I can get an idea of what I want to ask my machinist, being that I have only built chevy's. I would rather go to him with some idea so he can deliver what I want. Plus Im not a "great builder" never claimed to be. So i do appreciate all the good advice here guys and I think I have a game plan now.

Im taking the 377 to my builder and have him replace the pistons and try to acheive 10.5 comp. Also Im just going to have him go thru the engine and "dial it in" so I can just install and play without any problems.

luckycobra · #12 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 05:56 AM

Also Im plan on using a Vic jr. Intake and quick fuel 750, what do you guys think ? Now I need to decide on ignition

olddog · #13 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 08:49 AM

With AFR-205 and 238int/248 duration @ 0.050" and only 377 cid this engine is not going to have much low end grunt. The Vic Jr single plane will make that worse. I would think an air gap (dual plane) would help the low end and mid range. It would take a lot of rpm, before the single plane would start making more Hp.

I was assuming the engine was completely together, and you didn't want to spend the bucks to pull it back down. Certainly changing the pistons is your best option, as long as you will never want to boost it.

If the short block is together but heads still off, you could mil the heads down to bring the compression up a little. Problem is the heads are permanently altered, and you are only going to gain a half a point on compression.

bobcowan · #14 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckycobra

Also Im plan on using a Vic jr. Intake and quick fuel 750, what do you guys think ? Now I need to decide on ignition

Change the pistons. The cheapest and easiest way to make power is by increasing cylinder pressures. Right now your low rpm cylinder pressures will be less than a 1980 smog motor. With your current parts combo, that engine will be a real dog at anything less than about 3,000 rpm's or so.

vector1 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 10:15 AM

pistons 5-700, rebalance, misc.=

408 rotating assy 1400, blue print =

i think for a little more you could have a lot. vic jr will work good also on this size. 750 will work, if i were to buy one 850.

luckycobra · #16 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 11:07 AM

The engine is complete as of right now - intake/carb and dist. After talking to you guys on here and thinking about it, I think Im going to change the pistons and probably just go all in and build it right the first time. If i were to change pistons should i change the bore and go bigger? At the end of the day I want to have a nice recipe for a good powerplant. Im definatley open to prolonging the build to have a nice end result. Like I said Im going to contact my machinist on Monday and get his input.

olddog · #17 (**permalink**) 11-23-2012, 07:49 AM

If the bores are in nice shape, I would leave them alone. 0.040" overbore is max for most blocks. Leave some room for another rebuild. That small displacement increase won't buy much.

I think some people are suggesting you stroke it out to a 408. You already have good rods, and you are buying pistons to increase compression. A crank could be purchased and all parts balanced for maybe an extra $500 or so. But you should look at the price of a complete rotating assembly and compare both ways. You should be able to sell your existing parts and recoup some of the money.

Just be careful of letting all of us spend your entire budget on the engine. For another $2500 bucks you could buy an aftermarket block with a 4.125 bore. It is stronger and has much better oiling. You could have 427 cid or more.

luckycobra · #18 (**permalink**) 11-23-2012, 10:25 AM

Point.well taken, Im going to talk to my builder and let you all know. If anything I can use my 347 and finish the project and put the 377 on the side and build it down the road. The 347 I have is a very nice engine and has been on a dyno @ 435hp. I just really wanted to use the 377, A freind of mine suggested that to me this A.M. sorry if I sound indecisive but I only have a couple grand to spend right now. I have to purchase all interior yet.

While I have you guys here (off topic) where do you suggest purchasing interior parts?
Thanks

luckycobra · #19 (**permalink**) 11-26-2012, 01:15 PM

I talked to my machinist today and he said he would install new pistons and bring it up to 10:1 comp and change the cam. He said the crank would be fine and with 10:1 or 10:5 comp and a good cam would make a nice 450-470 hp and a little more torque. So im dropping it off this week.

Any cam suggestions?

vector1 · #20 (**permalink**) 11-26-2012, 01:33 PM

no cam suggestions but it could be a make or break deal.

depending on your head cc's if you need some pistons that are flat top i have some std bore 4" with 1.5" compression height i could deal you that came out of a 383 with 6.125 rods.