Crate Engine - 351W/408

6062 Views 59 Replies 25 Participants Last post by jam.hard, Dec 22, 2021

BartonFlyer

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2021

The attached photo is the current state of my 68 FB. It is a J Code that didn't have an engine when I got it. I intend a "mild" restomod -

Wilwoods all around
17" TorqThrusts
TMI interior with full console
Dakota Digital dash
lowered 1"
PS
A/C
9" rear with 3.2 gears.
Fuel injected Holley
C-4

It will be a street cruiser, not a racer. Not interested in Elanore. That's my wonderful mother's name (Elinor).

A 347 would be fine, but my research says a 408 isn't much more $$.

Since I have to source an engine, I am thinking 351W or a stroker 408. There really aren't many choices on the web for under $10,000. I am currently thinking "BluePrint Engines" for $7600. But, there must be some source that I haven't found yet. Does anybody (everybody) have any thoughts? I'm willing to spend $7.5k+, but not willing to spend $12k.

Car Vehicle Tire Hood Automotive lighting

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21 - 40 of 60 Posts

DIHLON

· #21 · Dec 16, 2021

Alan _MacDougall said:
I had my 351w block built as a 418 by Coast high performance. This was 16 years ago and it is as good as new today. They can custom make the pistons for any head and compression. I had them install my cam. If you can install the heads etc and degree the cam a short block this is a great way to go. Ford Short Block - Ford 418 Short Block, 351 Windsor Flat Top.

FYI, I reached out to Coast High a few weeks ago, and their response was they are only building Dart blocks right now, and they are months out. If you provide your own block (any block), they can turn it around in a few weeks.

jmagilto

· #22 · Dec 16, 2021 (Edited)

Just a note - the 408, and 427 stokers being discussed in this thread are 351 windsor blocks - which do not require shock tower notching and fit quite nicely.

Reactions: 1

jmagilto

· #23 · Dec 16, 2021

How is the idle with this one? I am liking it, but do not want the thing to be rude/rough in traffic

GumbosDad said:
Why not go straight to Ford Racing.

M-6007-X2302E

I've got this one in my '68 GT convertible. Plenty of giddyup! You can also up the cubes and HP, all with the 4 bolt block.

rusty1161

· #24 · Dec 16, 2021

sportsroof69 said:
If you like rings that don’t seal and a total lack of customer service after the sale.

Is that a single experience or numerous failures and problems? He has a ton of repeat customers and great feedback.

Rusty

j persons

· #25 · Dec 16, 2021

GumbosDad said:
Why not go straight to Ford Racing.

M-6007-X2302E

I've got this one in my '68 GT convertible. Plenty of giddyup! You can also up the cubes and HP, all with the 4 bolt block.

The Ford Racing blocks have shorter bores than the Dart blocks and they don't support the pistons as well at the bottom of the stroke. This can cause piston rock at the bottom and poor ring seal.

GumbosDad

· #26 · Dec 16, 2021

My Ford crate "Boss" 302 is not the stroker version. I have less than 10k flawless miles on it. No noticeable lope and I ended up putting an AirGap and Sniper on it. Granted I bought it 10+ years ago when they were only $5,600. Sat in the crate for a few years before I got around to installing it. My only motor that I've had built by a shop was Tommy Crowther who I believe is in TX now. He built my Boss 351 for my Pantera, that was a great motor 440hp with C302B heads and decent cam. It was $8k at the time (20 years ago). Probably cost twice that now a days. It survived many track days at Sears Point, Laguna Seca, Thunderhill and others.

rwcstang

· #27 · Dec 16, 2021 (Edited)

Cheap, Fast and Reliable - you can only pick two.

for me, I would say go to a local builder if any are around you, however Im somewhat frustrated with my builder now as he doesn't communicate well and hoping he hasn't lost any of my parts as Im almost hitting a year of no real answers or ETA on my build.

I understand some shops are small and working round the clock and waiting for parts, but communication is key in every business transaction.

if I did it again i would choose, Performance Engine Builders | Concord | Prestige Motorsports a friend of mine bought one from them, great customer service. you can modify what you want to build and it will still be under warranty.

I would recommend, looking for an engine shop that dynos their engines after the build and use known brand parts. When they dyno your engine, they can break in the rings/cam/fine tune the engine and its pretty much plug and play after they are done.

Beware though, stay way from ebay, craigslist or IG builders, when talking to a potential shops always look at the reviews, always ask what parts they use and whats the process is, etc. always ask questions! if you feel feel comfortable with them, then pull the trigger

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Reactions: 1

7krpm

· #28 · Dec 16, 2021

Throwing in my vote for a BPE crate. Have about 2k miles on their 347 long block. Nice torquey motor that is great on the street, nothing but smiles so far.

LakeJamesNC

· #29 · Dec 16, 2021

I second giving Prestige Motorsports a look. I have a 347 multiport EFI from them and I really like it so far. It is around 420hp. They are local to me so I have the added benefit in case something needs looked at. I went through a local restoration shop since I was having a number of things done at the same time. I suggested that they (ForgeSpeed) look at Prestige to source my motor and they were actually looking for a new source for motors. The guy from Prestige (owner) actually made the trip over to show them how to tune their engine after it was installed in my car and I do not think mine will be the last Prestige motor installed by ForgeSpeed.

JohnnyK

· #30 · Dec 16, 2021

rwcstang said:
for me, I would say go to a local builder if any are around you,

rwcstang said:
Im almost hitting a year of no real answers or ETA on my build.

Reactions: 2

Rebel Racing

· #31 · Dec 16, 2021

BartonFlyer said:
A 347 would be fine, but my research says a 408 isn't much more $$.

Since I have to source an engine, I am thinking 351W or a stroker 408. There really aren't many choices on the web for under $10,000. I am currently thinking "BluePrint Engines" for $7600. But, there must be some source that I haven't found yet. Does anybody (everybody) have any thoughts? I'm willing to spend $7.5k+, but not willing to spend $12k.
View attachment 821029

I haven't read all the replies but why not build your own?? 5yr ago I wanted a 347 so I bought a machined block from my local builder--I thin it was around $500 machined and cam bearing installed. i bought a 347 rotating kit and built my first motor. I read a lot and watched a ton of videos--mostly Woody's. It was the most rewarding automotive experience I have done. With a bit of research and knowledge, it is not that hard and to this date my 347 is running strong.

I am happy with the 347 but if I was to do it again, I would of gone to a 408 or 427 with an aftermarket block (the 427). I may go that route when I retire--don't need another motor but it was that much fun to so. I don't know your financial position but, I didn't have the $$ to buy something already built and I wanted to learn how to do it. Just my suggestion.

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sportsroof69

· #32 · Dec 16, 2021

rusty1161 said:
Is that a single experience or numerous failures and problems? He has a ton of repeat customers and great feedback.

Rusty

I can tell you my personal experience. My dipstick shot out so hard that it broke when it hit my hood no joke, and he falsely blamed everything but his work. Crap happens, but his unwillingness to stand behind it, is what defines woody. Challenge him on anything and you’ll see the real woody

Alan _MacDougall

· #33 · Dec 16, 2021

sportsroof69 said:
I can tell you my personal experience. My dipstick shot out so hard that it broke when it hit my hood no joke, and he falsely blamed everything but his work. Crap happens, but his unwillingness to stand behind it, is what defines woody. Challenge him on anything and you’ll see the real woody

Is this the same Woody that used to make long tube headers for mustang applications?

sportsroof69

· #34 · Dec 16, 2021

Alan _MacDougall said:
Is this the same Woody that used to make long tube headers for mustang applications?

No idea. This is woody from fordstrokers.com who makes his living running sleazy dating websites and builds small block fords on the side.

rwcstang

· #35 · Dec 16, 2021

Alan _MacDougall said:
Is this the same Woody that used to make long tube headers for mustang applications?

are you referring to FPA headers in Seattle?

j persons

· #36 · Dec 16, 2021

sportsroof69 said:
No idea. This is woody from fordstrokers.com who makes his living running sleazy dating websites and builds small block fords on the side.

Be careful, that statement may be considered libelous.

BartonFlyer

Discussion Starter · #37 · Dec 16, 2021

Rebel Racing said:
I haven't read all the replies but why not build your own?? 5yr ago I wanted a 347 so I bought a machined block from my local builder--I thin it was around $500 machined and cam bearing installed. i bought a 347 rotating kit and built my first motor. I read a lot and watched a ton of videos--mostly Woody's. It was the most rewarding automotive experience I have done. With a bit of research and knowledge, it is not that hard and to this date my 347 is running strong.

I am happy with the 347 but if I was to do it again, I would of gone to a 408 or 427 with an aftermarket block (the 427). I may go that route when I retire--don't need another motor but it was that much fun to so. I don't know your financial position but, I didn't have the $$ to buy something already built and I wanted to learn how to do it. Just my suggestion.

I have thought about building my own. I actually have an early 351W block that the seller will either include or credit me for. I’m not scared of building it. I’m scared of not know which parts to buy for the kind of engine I want (+/- 400hp, EFI, aluminum heads, etc.) I’ve never been down that road.

I talked to several Local engine builders and got tepid response and spendy estimates of $7k to $10k to bring this 351 back to life. That’s when I started looking at crate engines.

65-GT

· #38 · Dec 16, 2021

Another thumbs up for Prestige. Doug built a stroked 427 for me several years ago. Fortunately that was pre Covid and supply chain issues. Turn around was very quick and with a 3 year warranty you can’t beat it

sportsroof69

· #39 · Dec 17, 2021 (Edited)

j persons said:
Be careful, that statement may be considered libelous.

There’s nothing in it that’s false, but he’s shown to be the type that would go after it. Luckily, he doesn’t have his cronies scowering the internet to take up for him anymore.

Alan _MacDougall

· #40 · Dec 17, 2021

rwcstang said:
are you referring to FPA headers in Seattle?

From my experience Stan at FPA is a stand up guy. This Woody sounds like the guy I bought long tube headers from ~ 12+ years ago. I bought $$$ headers from him for an easy drop in 351w manual steering setup. They fit terrible needed to reposition 5 tubes, he was a jerk and said I had to pay for it and the recoating.

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