Father/Son Project: Build Ford Big or Small Block?

**missin44** · 10-26-2002, 12:00 AM

My son (age 10) and I are planning a Muscle car or Hot Rod project. Recently a piece of good fortune has fallen into our lap. A local gentleman who has a vast array of engines has offered my son a free stock engine of his choice. We have no idea what a given engines condition is or what it came out of. This is great because we want to build the engine and later install it into a Ford that has yet to be determined. We have decided we want the engine to be non-turbo or supercharged, no nitrous and non fuel injected. In other words, and these are his words not mine, no cheating for power. Boring, headers, head work, etc., are OK. Our questions are this, small or big block? Any particular engine we should ask for? The only limitations are it must be a Ford and it must be "buildable". Any suggestions?

**MJMcCarthy4** · 10-26-2002, 12:58 AM

I would say go for a small block if you are not sure what it is going in. That will give you a better selection of vehicles that you could mount it in later. I will say taht if you go for the small block try to get a roller block (86 or later) just to make things a little easier. Good luck. Let us know how everything turns out.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

**missin44** · 10-26-2002, 01:02 AM

Yeah, we're leaning to the small block. Was just looking at the 400hp 302 Project artical in on the homepage. Very interesting

**67dito** · 10-26-2002, 01:04 AM

I would say, go for a small block ford. A 351W is good. It will fit easily into any small block car, and you can stroke it to get big block power, with small block weight, space, less modifications. There are also good aftermarket parts available for the 351w being that most 5.0 parts fit 351w blocks. If you were to go big block, parts are generally more expensive. Aftermarket Aluminum Small block cylinder heads are much more expensive for big blocks than small blocks. Also, make sure that you teach your son the dangers of street racing, because all teenagers love to drive fast (me included). A 500 plus horsepower car for a teenager takes a lot of responcibility. I have seen kids and fast cars make some bad decisions because they make poor decisions with the amount of power. Sorry about the safety part, but new drivers are the most at risk, and nobody wants to ruin a badass car anyway. Just my .02

**SteeLDawN** · 10-26-2002, 01:12 AM

I'm partial to 351Cleveland engines, as they came with canted valves (better port angle for better flow) and oval ports (less flow restriction , as the air swirls in a round environment, gaining velocity more easily). A 2v (2 barrel heads) Cleveland is probably the best choice of clevelands. As for the year of engine, well I would say 72 is a good year (it's one i have rebuilt). They come with flat-top pistons, high compression, and a strong crank. There are a version of Australian heads available for Clevelands as an improvement to the stock 2v ones. ( this is the setup currently in my gf's 72 Mach I). I can provide you with more info on the Cleve, if you wish.

This strictly my opinion, and others will follow [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

**missin44** · 10-26-2002, 01:32 AM

Thanks for the safety input, but he is only 10. Regardless I know what you mean about kids and fast cars. However, I'm still a very proud pop when I hear him say those little screaming rice rockets will never mach the rumble of an American V8. How cool is that for a 10 year old?

**SteeLDawN** · 10-26-2002, 01:41 AM

sounds like a clever kid [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] specially with the "horsepower cheating" heh

**Just Strokin** · 10-26-2002, 01:53 AM

Go big block. Prices are about the same. But the torgue at low rpms is a thrill.

A 429/460 rebuilt will pull moe g's than any mild small block. And now days, installation kits ae available to stuff the BBF into most anything.

**Luv70sFords** · 10-26-2002, 02:04 AM

Im gonna throw another vote in for a cleveland. Not only are they very capable motors, with lots of power being made with mostly stock parts, you would be doing us all a favor by teaching the next generation the raw power of the Cleveland.
[addsig]

**ZRX61** · 10-26-2002, 02:58 AM

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
A 500 plus horsepower car for a teenager takes a lot of responcibility. I have seen kids and fast cars make some bad decisions because they make poor decisions with the amount of power. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

But on the upside he'l clean up at the friday night street drags.. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]



All content © FordMuscle, LLC. \| Ford® is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company. \| FordMuscle.com is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company.