[Goblin]

I was going through your website.. and looking at all the goodies you have to offer. First, i saw a picture of one of the liberator stroker 351s... with blue fabricated valve covers that says "Ford Strokers" on them. Who makes those valve covers? I like those. Second. I fear i might be spending more money than i need too, in places i dont really have too. Im interested possibly in your liberator 418 or 427 shortblock. Whats the hp capability? I was going through prices last night.. and im starting to rethink spending close to 5k on a shortblock with the MOW block. Spending 2300.. or so, for a complete shortblock.. sounds like a better idea. Just curious man, thanks for your input.

Ant

[Darrell]

The title "woody help" really thru me for a loop.......

[TurboLX]

^^

[Goblin]

Originally Posted by Darrell The title "woody help" really thru me for a loop.......

HAHAHAHA Thas fuunny

[woody1]

what are the goals, what do you ultimately want? Thats the first question. Cast steel will go 550-575 a bit higher but I cant tell guys that, steel will outlive any productin block as the main caps are the first problem with a production block around 650-700, they tend to start walking and chattering.

[Goblin]

Realistically. I want ATLEAST, bare minimum 550hp. I really like the idea of 600+.. but im trying to stick with pump gas. I might, possibly be using some nitrous, im starting to think i might not with this motor, and try to be fast without it. So, between 550-600.. solid roller, on pump gas.

[TurboLX]

not on a stock block i hope

[Goblin]

Yes, with a factory production block.

[ryans88gt]

A well prepped 351w early block will hold 600 hp for a long time. As high as 700-800 hp is a pretty good guestimate of the power potential of a stock block before it cracks. A man-o-war block is definitely not needed for 600 hp.

[Goblin]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt A well prepped 351w early block will hold 600 hp for a long time. As high as 700-800 hp is a pretty good guestimate of the power potential of a stock block before it cracks. A man-o-war block is definitely not needed for 600 hp.

And thats exactly what i started realizing. Why am i going to spend 2000+ bucks on an unprepped block, then spend extra for prepping and machining, THEN money for the rotating assembly.. when all im looking for 550+hp N/A.. and maybe some Nitrous. I now see its not practical, should have taken Darrells advice from the beginning. Yes, im a noob to big inch SBFs.

[woody1]

IN the last 15 years, I have not had any cracking issues with the production windsors, its the cap walk that takes out the main bearings, almost every single time. 500-600 on pump gas will go 10's easy, if not take up knitting

[Goblin]

Originally Posted by woody1 IN the last 15 years, I have not had any cracking issues with the production windsors, its the cap walk that takes out the main bearings, almost every single time. 500-600 on pump gas will go 10's easy, if not take up knitting

Knitting? No thanks, i'll run the numbers, if the engine is putting down the power. 10s is a good goal. And i know that much power can do it for me. Woody, what would you say is the right combo? 408/418 or 427? Or, can i just as easily go 10s.. or faster with a 408, as with a 427...? Thanks man.

Ant

[ryans88gt]

Hey woody, have you ever tried any of the aftermarket main caps or girdles. How much help do you think you get there? My dirt track engine builder swears by aluminum main cap girdles, says they soak up harmonics that cause cap walk.

[woody1]

Run the 408, I like those best, the only people that call for a 427 are the AC cobra kit car guys which is silly, but oh well. As for main caps, ya we used the steel ones on 69-70 blocks withut the necked down mains BUT its not a cheap operation at all. Figure 700-800 dollars for good caps installed, PLUS the regular 500+ in machine work makes for an expensive stock block.

[Goblin]

Sweet, i might actually have a completed shortblock by the time my taxes come back. Instead of having a bunch of unassembled parts. Im excited.

[Goblin]

Im still curious though, what valve covers were on that motor.

[**Chris**]

Originally Posted by Goblin Im still curious though, what valve covers were on that motor.

They say Ford Strokers on them. I believe they make them.

[Goblin]

If he does, sweet. I want a set.

[ryans88gt]

Originally Posted by woody1 Run the 408, I like those best, the only people that call for a 427 are the AC cobra kit car guys which is silly, but oh well. As for main caps, ya we used the steel ones on 69-70 blocks withut the necked down mains BUT its not a cheap operation at all. Figure 700-800 dollars for good caps installed, PLUS the regular 500+ in machine work makes for an expensive stock block.

yeah, i guess that is getting up there in price, but the Dart and MOW blocks still need the $500+ in machining too. Can you run the cleveland size mains with those aftermarket caps?

[woody1]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt yeah, i guess that is getting up there in price, but the Dart and MOW blocks still need the $500+ in machining too. Can you run the cleveland size mains with those aftermarket caps?

you know as well as I do 1500 in a stock block vs a dart etc.. IF you are needing a block to sustain 700+ dont spend 1500 on a stock block. Sure you can run a 2.750 with the stock caps, get the bearing spacers, line hone and voila. Hell you cant get a dart block with a 3 inch main. No the valve covers were made for me with my stickers on them, just an experimental thing