351 windsor

is there any certain (year) block i should try to get to build a 408 regarding strength etc? and what is the rod length difference between 347,396 and 408?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: giddyup1 on 12/7/02 7:16am ]</font>

Most seem to go after early castings, but any should hold 700hp if built correct.

common rod lengths:This is just for reference
347 5.4
393 standard 351w
408 6.2

I'm running 6.25 rods in my 408, and the 393 I'm building will have 6.3 rods.

Everybody says that only 69 vintage blocks will hold high HP levels, but I"ve been running fairly major HP/TQ thru my 84 squad car block for 2 years now. No problems.
Hoping to bypass 650 hp this year (with some added compression).....[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img][img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img][img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

The dude that used to dyno my engines always said that NO stock block 351W would hold up to over 650 hp..........at least not for long..............we'll see[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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69 -74 ARE THE STRONGER BLOCK FOR THE 351W.

watch the deck heights on 69/70 blocks
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The FRPP 351 Sportsman block is much stronger than any production block. Still 2 bolt mains but lots more material in mains web area. A new one goes for $800.00 from Ford.

I'm building my 408W engine using the block from my 77 parts car (so the block should be a 77 351W block). I'm going with main studs and also using a girdle on the mains to hold everything together. Builder says no problems using this year block or any other year, as always make sure the block checks out and is machined correctly and it should handle the power output of your hi-po engine without problems. My engine is on the stand now and I'll get #'s off it for posting tomorrow.
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The last time I checked the price on the sportsman block had gone up to around $1200 new. That's still alot cheaper than any other aftermarket block out there.

69-71 blocks mostly have the thicker mains between the caps and the rails. half of the '72s do and half don't and I haven't seen any '73-up 351 blocks with the thicker machined mains but I've used 72-76 blocks using nitrous shifting at and above 7800RPM without any problems. They are a good solid block no matter what year they are but yes the 69-71's(and about 50% of D2s) are the best with 73-76 coming in 2nd and 77-up all being basically the same for 3rd. Possibly the '95-up roller blocks might be a little weaker and lighter but they are obviously good enough for the 393 Ford crate engines which have great potential with better heads and cam.
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