Engine locked up!

And then some · July 12th, 2007, 12:42 AM

I've owned my first Mustang 3 days and the engine locked up on it today. I think the former owner might have dropped something into the lifter valley when he was working on it last week, causing a slight clearence problem someplace.

So I've decided to just cut my losses and start this project from scratch. The car is an 87 GT and I'm trying to decide what direction I should go with the engine at this point. I can get a stock engine with 185k on it for about 350 from a friend of mine. The other option I was looking at is the 347 stroker kit. What would be a good combo for a solid 425-450hp N/A without N2O. Do I need to spend the extra cash for the forged crank with that kit or will the cast crank hold up to tha kind of power. I hate to say it but I'm an old school hot rodder that is used to working on big block Chevy's and I'm kind of new to the SBF game. Any input would be helpfull.

skid6 · July 12th, 2007, 01:17 AM

if you go stroker you can buy a kit comes with crank and every thing you need

neverfastenough1 · July 12th, 2007, 02:22 AM

Cast steel crank should be good for that amount of horsepower. I would tear that one apart to see what was wrong with it before I bought a stock motor with 185,000 miles on it. A friend of mine locked the motor in his Silverado one time. I told him to get another one. Another guy filled the block with oil and just kept bumping the starter. When the battery went dead they jumped it with another truck, and eventually the thing turned over and still runs today. I had never seen that done before, and I was very skeptical, but it worked. I would never do it though. To me a locked motor is a viable excuse to tell the old lady I need a new bigger better one.

C MY 4D · July 12th, 2007, 02:25 AM

351W sportman block stroked to a 408 maybe a 427.....

neverfastenough1 · July 12th, 2007, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by C MY 4D

351W sportman block stroked to a 408 maybe a 427.....

+1

And then some · July 12th, 2007, 09:13 AM

I like the idea of a stroked 351 but it would be real hard to tell my lady that I need to spend 3 or 4 grand for an engine to put into a $900 car. Most women don't get that kind of thing. I already plan to pull this thing out pull it apart to se what's wrong with it, but I'm kinda lazy. Lazy people don't like to do things twice when they can just build a new engine the first time they pull it out.

I could get away with spending 15-18 hundred to build the block I have and at least know what I have under the hood.

neverfastenough1 · July 12th, 2007, 10:11 AM

Thats gonna be tuff. 1500-1800 does add up to a 347 unless you are real lucky at finding cheap used heads and intake. You wouldn't want to use the stock stuff. You could always rebuild your block .030 over to a 306, put a cam in it and add some giggle gas. I say get a divorce and do whatever you want to the car! J/K.....maybe, maybe not. Maybe just tell her you need some space and get separated for a couple days then come back crying with a supercharged 393.

woody1 · July 12th, 2007, 11:14 AM

Good luck building a 347 or any small block thats gonna make 425-450 for less than 3-4k, if your starting fresh that is. If you have a stock pile of parts, thats another story.

C MY 4D · July 12th, 2007, 11:21 AM

Stroking it will be hard for that amount but you could probably rebuild one throw some good boltons on it......

Racinjason81 · July 12th, 2007, 02:50 PM

how about a stock stroke 351 ,you can get them for cheap and they are easily available and will be faster than a 302 anyday.

89LX347 · July 12th, 2007, 03:01 PM

just put a 306 in it and put the 250 shot on it youll be satisfied

And then some · July 12th, 2007, 09:12 PM

I think I can get into the 347 stroker for around 15-18 because I have a good hook-up on the machine work and I can do the rest of the build. The only short fall I'll have is the stock heads but I can work on that down the road. I don't expect to build 450hp with stock heads but a mild port and polish should hold me over for a little while anyway. What would be a good head and cam combo to hit the 450 mark?

89LX347 · July 12th, 2007, 09:49 PM

I have hit the 450 mark with my 347 ..i have trick flow twisted wedge heads on it with comp 1.6 roller rockers and for the cam call up anderson ford motorsports and get a custom ground one they are the best to go to for a cam..its what i have ...may i ask whats your rotating assembly gonna be?

Stangzilla · July 12th, 2007, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by And then some

I think I can get into the 347 stroker for around 15-18 because I have a good hook-up on the machine work and I can do the rest of the build. The only short fall I'll have is the stock heads but I can work on that down the road. I don't expect to build 450hp with stock heads but a mild port and polish should hold me over for a little while anyway. What would be a good head and cam combo to hit the 450 mark?

I would not even waste head gaskets to put on a set of stock heads on a 347. ported or not. At the very least find a set of GT40's from an Explorer or something and get something better later on.. Do not use the stock heads!!!!

Stangzilla · July 12th, 2007, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by And then some

I think I can get into the 347 stroker for around 15-18 because I have a good hook-up on the machine work and I can do the rest of the build. The only short fall I'll have is the stock heads but I can work on that down the road. I don't expect to build 450hp with stock heads but a mild port and polish should hold me over for a little while anyway. What would be a good head and cam combo to hit the 450 mark?

Stangzilla · July 12th, 2007, 10:11 PM

I would not even waste a new set of head gaskets for puttin on a set of stock heads on a 347. At the very least get a set of GT40's from an Explorer or something. I repeat dont use the stock heads.. You can get a blueprinted and balanced 347 short block from Coast High Performance for like 22 or 2300..

tording92lxnotch · July 14th, 2007, 03:51 AM

To answer your original question you do not need a forged crank if your sticking with the stock 302 block. The 302 block is weak and will split at around 500 hp. If you go the 302 route then just get a cast crank and some hypercrap slugs. If your going to go nitrous or boost at all then maybe think about a set of forged pistons but if you have the tune right the hypercraps should hold up to that kind of power easily assuming you don't have any detonation.

And then some · July 14th, 2007, 12:24 PM

I'm thinking Eagle crank and rods with JE pistons. I'm starting to think the stock heads are a waist of time and by the time I can get this thing together it will be winter time anyway. Sounds like I might just as well wait and save the money to get the heads and just plan on waiting untill spring time to get it running. That way I can just build it right the first time and be done with it. If there are any suggestions for a better bottom end combo, I would love to here them. It's been a long time since I've built a performance engine and I'm not really up to speed yet on the good stuff.

Stangzilla · July 14th, 2007, 04:30 PM

At the very least get a sportsman block good for 8-900 hp and it wont cost ya 1500-2000+ like a Boss, Dart whatever..

neverfastenough1 · July 15th, 2007, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by Stangzilla

At the very least get a sportsman block good for 8-900 hp and it wont cost ya 1500-2000+ like a Boss, Dart whatever..

You have a link to one of these blocks?

July 12th, 2007, 12:42 AM	#1
And then some Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 32 iTrader: 0 reviews	Engine locked up! I've owned my first Mustang 3 days and the engine locked up on it today. I think the former owner might have dropped something into the lifter valley when he was working on it last week, causing a slight clearence problem someplace. So I've decided to just cut my losses and start this project from scratch. The car is an 87 GT and I'm trying to decide what direction I should go with the engine at this point. I can get a stock engine with 185k on it for about 350 from a friend of mine. The other option I was looking at is the 347 stroker kit. What would be a good combo for a solid 425-450hp N/A without N2O. Do I need to spend the extra cash for the forged crank with that kit or will the cast crank hold up to tha kind of power. I hate to say it but I'm an old school hot rodder that is used to working on big block Chevy's and I'm kind of new to the SBF game. Any input would be helpfull.

July 12th, 2007, 02:22 AM	#3
neverfastenough1 Hardcore Enthusiast 2002 Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 2,789 iTrader: 3 reviews	Cast steel crank should be good for that amount of horsepower. I would tear that one apart to see what was wrong with it before I bought a stock motor with 185,000 miles on it. A friend of mine locked the motor in his Silverado one time. I told him to get another one. Another guy filled the block with oil and just kept bumping the starter. When the battery went dead they jumped it with another truck, and eventually the thing turned over and still runs today. I had never seen that done before, and I was very skeptical, but it worked. I would never do it though. To me a locked motor is a viable excuse to tell the old lady I need a new bigger better one. __________________

July 12th, 2007, 02:25 AM	#4
C MY 4D Billy Weston 2003 Cobra 11.14@124.36 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 4,806 iTrader: 8 reviews	351W sportman block stroked to a 408 maybe a 427..... __________________ TT Build in progress....... Need work done to your car for a great price in Hampton Roads? Shoot me a PM.

July 12th, 2007, 10:11 AM	#7
neverfastenough1 Hardcore Enthusiast 2002 Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 2,789 iTrader: 3 reviews	Thats gonna be tuff. 1500-1800 does add up to a 347 unless you are real lucky at finding cheap used heads and intake. You wouldn't want to use the stock stuff. You could always rebuild your block .030 over to a 306, put a cam in it and add some giggle gas. I say get a divorce and do whatever you want to the car! J/K.....maybe, maybe not. Maybe just tell her you need some space and get separated for a couple days then come back crying with a supercharged 393. __________________

July 12th, 2007, 11:21 AM	#9
C MY 4D Billy Weston 2003 Cobra 11.14@124.36 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 4,806 iTrader: 8 reviews	Stroking it will be hard for that amount but you could probably rebuild one throw some good boltons on it...... __________________ TT Build in progress....... Need work done to your car for a great price in Hampton Roads? Shoot me a PM.

July 12th, 2007, 01:17 AM	#2
skid6 Regular Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 108 iTrader: 0 reviews	if you go stroker you can buy a kit comes with crank and every thing you need

July 12th, 2007, 09:13 AM	#6
And then some Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 32 iTrader: 0 reviews	I like the idea of a stroked 351 but it would be real hard to tell my lady that I need to spend 3 or 4 grand for an engine to put into a $900 car. Most women don't get that kind of thing. I already plan to pull this thing out pull it apart to se what's wrong with it, but I'm kinda lazy. Lazy people don't like to do things twice when they can just build a new engine the first time they pull it out. I could get away with spending 15-18 hundred to build the block I have and at least know what I have under the hood.

July 12th, 2007, 11:14 AM	#8
woody1 Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 559 iTrader: 0 reviews	Good luck building a 347 or any small block thats gonna make 425-450 for less than 3-4k, if your starting fresh that is. If you have a stock pile of parts, thats another story.

July 12th, 2007, 02:50 PM	#10
Racinjason81 Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,559 iTrader: 0 reviews	how about a stock stroke 351 ,you can get them for cheap and they are easily available and will be faster than a 302 anyday. __________________ Heres a real funny video youtube.com/watch?v=ojB7KkaR03I VTEC stands for Very Torqueless Economy Car Honda stands for Hold On Not Done Accelerating 1991 LX 5.0 H/B(T-70 turbo coming soon)

July 12th, 2007, 03:01 PM	#11
89LX347 Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,304 iTrader: 0 reviews	just put a 306 in it and put the 250 shot on it youll be satisfied __________________ I believe in art when it is not seen. I believe in music when it is not audible. I believe in God when He is silent.

July 12th, 2007, 09:12 PM	#12
And then some Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 32 iTrader: 0 reviews	I think I can get into the 347 stroker for around 15-18 because I have a good hook-up on the machine work and I can do the rest of the build. The only short fall I'll have is the stock heads but I can work on that down the road. I don't expect to build 450hp with stock heads but a mild port and polish should hold me over for a little while anyway. What would be a good head and cam combo to hit the 450 mark?

July 12th, 2007, 09:49 PM	#13
89LX347 Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,304 iTrader: 0 reviews	I have hit the 450 mark with my 347 ..i have trick flow twisted wedge heads on it with comp 1.6 roller rockers and for the cam call up anderson ford motorsports and get a custom ground one they are the best to go to for a cam..its what i have ...may i ask whats your rotating assembly gonna be? __________________ I believe in art when it is not seen. I believe in music when it is not audible. I believe in God when He is silent.

July 12th, 2007, 10:11 PM	#16
Stangzilla MM Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: On my way to Baines's house!! Posts: 3,298 iTrader: 0 reviews	I would not even waste a new set of head gaskets for puttin on a set of stock heads on a 347. At the very least get a set of GT40's from an Explorer or something. I repeat dont use the stock heads.. You can get a blueprinted and balanced 347 short block from Coast High Performance for like 22 or 2300.. __________________ Rotating The Earth 1320 Feet At A Time!! Today, I found out that when I masturbate at night while watching internet porn I cast a huge shadow on the curtain and the entire street is able to see it.

July 14th, 2007, 03:51 AM	#17
tording92lxnotch Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 165 iTrader: 0 reviews	To answer your original question you do not need a forged crank if your sticking with the stock 302 block. The 302 block is weak and will split at around 500 hp. If you go the 302 route then just get a cast crank and some hypercrap slugs. If your going to go nitrous or boost at all then maybe think about a set of forged pistons but if you have the tune right the hypercraps should hold up to that kind of power easily assuming you don't have any detonation. __________________ 92 notch--Shorty headers--Pro 5.0--3G alt--U/D pullies--A/C delete--190 LPH Walbro FP--Compucar N2O kit--FMS alum D/S--Taurus fan--Weld Draglites--Mallory 685 ign Box--dccontrol fan controller 13.0 - 108 mph - 1.9 60' - 90 shot N2O and 175k on the clock

July 14th, 2007, 12:24 PM	#18
And then some Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 32 iTrader: 0 reviews	I'm thinking Eagle crank and rods with JE pistons. I'm starting to think the stock heads are a waist of time and by the time I can get this thing together it will be winter time anyway. Sounds like I might just as well wait and save the money to get the heads and just plan on waiting untill spring time to get it running. That way I can just build it right the first time and be done with it. If there are any suggestions for a better bottom end combo, I would love to here them. It's been a long time since I've built a performance engine and I'm not really up to speed yet on the good stuff.

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July 14th, 2007, 04:30 PM	#19
Stangzilla MM Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: On my way to Baines's house!! Posts: 3,298 iTrader: 0 reviews	At the very least get a sportsman block good for 8-900 hp and it wont cost ya 1500-2000+ like a Boss, Dart whatever.. __________________ Rotating The Earth 1320 Feet At A Time!! Today, I found out that when I masturbate at night while watching internet porn I cast a huge shadow on the curtain and the entire street is able to see it.

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