[68_302]

I have heard that you can have thew main journals on engine blocks drilled so they can accept 4 bolt main caps. I have a 1969 351w I am planning on using for a 408 stroker, and I am wondering what the opinions on this are out there.

 

[boss351]

You should just buy a sportsman block, they come with 4 bolt mains. Anyway, if you have yours drilled, it is going to cost A LOT...... and there is no need until you get over 600 hp anyway.

 

[68_302]

Thank you much.

 

[70stroker]

Why not just put a stud girdle on it? Probe industries makes one, not that expensive and works well. I am building a 393 stroker and looking for about 500 rwhp and have been assured that with the girdle it will be sufficiently strong.

 

[Guest]

I agree 600 HP or a ton of bottle. I'll NEVER use anything from Probe/Coast again, might as well have been made with a hammer! Use caution if you want to use a girdle too.

 

[68_302]

What happened with the Coast high parts? My local speed shop has recommended their 408 stroker kit to me, but I would love to hear the opinion of someone who has actually dealt with them. Who would you recomend in their stead?

 

[Guest]

My first experience was with Pistons. I have a 466 with Blue Thunder heads. I was told "Sure we do custom pistons to your order & we do NOT use Chevy blanks"... LIARS! I use a Chevy pin & told them .750 lift! After trial fit I couldn't turn over the engine, cut a piston for clearance, scrapped it! It had a Chevy intake valve location! Had to go from .750 lift to .550 on a roller. Second was a 557 kit from Coast. Crank was bent, already ground .0002 under bottom tolerance. They would not under any circumstances help me out at all! I have also found if you use a girdle it needs to be steel for 2 reasons, first the difference in expansion & contraction & second dis-similar metals corrode even in an oil pan. A steel one is ok but I've had bad luck with them being too stiff. Run the 351(408) with the 2 bolt & some really good machine work, have ARP main studs installed & align hone it, I think you'll be suprised in it's durability. If you're gonna get wild... the sportsman block is a good choice as is a Mexican block. As for my preferance in kits... Scat has about the most affordable ones out there as far as a quality viewpoint. I have a Scat 4.5 for a BBF & it's a beautiful piece! Exactly as I wanted it & at a good price.
70 Cyclone Spoiler 429 SCJ 4:30 Drag-pak
65 Mustang show car one-owner Un-restored
65 Mustang one-owner
66 Mustang 8-second street legal drag car
90 GT next drag car
68 Hurst Olds 455 4-speed
86 SVO
85 Porsche 944
98 Jeep Wrangler
95 F-150
76 20' E-350 motor home
Too many parts cars to mention

 

[camachinist]

The early W's have sufficient material to do this, if the performance parameters indicate its necessity.

What's the target hp/ci range and what application?

Generally, non-endurance applications up to 1.3 hp/ci will do fine with a correctly built early 2 bolt block...I would recommend having the block line honed with studs installed and, at the high end of the range, running a good quality stud girdle properly installed.

If you have more questions, post..