[Guest]

I saw your project page with the Windsor going together. Is the Lightning engine based on the SVO Sportsman block casting? I've been wanting to know what makes the Lightning shortblock anything special as compared to any 5.8.

Ollie

 

[Huskinhano]

If I remember right, besides being a truck block, nothing special. On the other hand the hyperuetectic pistons are suppose to of excellant quality ( reputedly better than aftermarket hyperuetectic ) and can take quite a beating. I also believe, not sure, after 93 are roller cam blocks too. They're suppose to be a good shortblock for most street use.

Tom
You can do anything you want to......ONCE!
aka "my 66 coupe"

 

[bosscars]

good question! When I took the short block into Coast High for the blueprint and balance, Mark Jeffreys looked at the bottom end and said "oh, this is the sportsman block". He was basing that on the thicker mains which is one of the features of the truck blocks. HOWEVER, no where does it have the "SVO" letters cast into it like the sportsman block. In actuality, there is NO real difference between the truck and SVO sportsman castings - except for the small letters. My truck block featured the same thicker pan rails also (oil pan). I agree that if you are looking for a 351W, the 93 and later castings are the way to go as they are already setup for roller cams and take the stock 5.0 roller lifters which are considerably cheaper then retrofitting an older 351W block. I am going to (hopefully) pick up the completed long block sometime this week and will post more pics.

randy

http://www.bossman-motorsports.com/bossbanner2.gif
http://www.bossman-motorsports.com

 

[G1967T]

I am running a '96 cast 351W Lightning short block in my '67 vert with about 6,000 miles on it. Everything said is consistent with what I know about these blocks. The folks at Ford Motorsport tell me, in spite of my wishful thinking or hindsight, it is not a Sportsman block. While I have ran it up to 6,800 RPM (mostly by accident), they say to keep the revs to not more than the early 6,000's. For heavier use they recommend a "girdle" on the bottom end for added strength.

I continue to consider installing the Ford Motorsports 392 ci short block version of the Sportsman block. Maybe next year!


Russ

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1595962&a=12199293&p=44747301.JPG