What are the pros and cons of putting a 351 stroker motor into my '79 Bronco as opposed to going with a 460 conversion? I have a 351M with 4 spd right now.
Thanks
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco

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1979 Bronco XLT
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well i am no expert but my thoughts are that you will likely to have to cnange trannies in either case and do significant mods in both cases to make it all work. so then it comes to which motor will be better and cheaper. i understand that 460's can be pricey to rebuild if you get into high performance stuff. the 351w on the other hand has lots of aftermarket parts cheap so that you could build an awesome stroker motor that will out torque/power a stock 460. if you want a high output 460 though it's gonna cost. i would go with the 351w stoker- the 393. scat crank. windsor junior heads. mild cam. headers - yeeehaaaaaw!!!!

have you looked into building up the 351m? might be the easiest way to go. i understand they can be rebuilt to be a good motor too. no tranny swap that way either.

my .02 cents

cheers,

rusty,

 

If you want the cheat and easy (also most bang per buck), swap in a 400 as 351M is a destroked 400 after all.

 

hey, not all of that is necessarily true. I don't believe a tranny swap would be needed, because the 351M that he already has uses the big block bellhousing, meaning he probably already has the transmission needed for his 460.

as for 351 stroker vs. 460, while the 351 stroker makes great torque for a small-block, there is no replacement for displacement.

As for the price, STROKER KITS ARE EXPENSIVE!!!! at least 1000 for a good kit. even then, you will probably only be getting about 550 lb ft of torque, if you go with EXPENSIVE aftermarket heads and all the expensive racing goodies to take advantage of the stroker kit.
As for the 460, the aftermarket has really picked up on this engine. Parts are very plentiful and cheaper than they have ever been. You can put together a near stock 460 with just a cam, intake, 4 bbl carb and headers and get darn near 500hp and gobs of torque for next to nothing.

My opinion, look through the parts catalog, do the research, and GET THE 460!!

 

76Ranger is correct. The 460 will bolt to the same transmission as the 351M/400. For this reason, and the fact that more cubes equals more power and torque, would be reasons to go with the 460. The stroker 351 would of course be lighter weight, but this would most likely not be much of an advantage in a 4x4.

 

Check out this site www.projectbronco.com.

Billy

 

IS the comment about a 460 with cam, headers, an intake and a 4bbl carb close to 500hp correct? If so why am I wasting my time with the 351w.

 

Yep, 500hp is pretty easy for a 460. But, also look into a 460 stroker, too much is just right after all....

You can get a 4.3" crank for around $500, reuse the stock 460 rods, and get the TRW pistons that Ford uses in their 514 stroker motor to finish it off. You most likely need new pistons anyway, so it's not really a new expense. Most cranks will need a slight grind and polish to the tune of $200 or so, so $500 for a new crank is not too bad.

Voila, bigass 514 able to crank 600ftlbs and 550hp with stock heads and a Stealth intake...cam to match and you're ready to boogie.

 

There is no replacement for displacement.You can stroke a 351 to 427,but the practical limit is about 408.There are issues about rod ratio and oil consumption.I have a friend who has a 427 stroker in a 69 stang.He would have put in a 460 but cutting the shock towers and having to pull the engine to change spark plugs did'nt sound like a good idea.For what you will pay for a stroke kit you can swap in the 460.You will still have to make a few mods to either engine so that's a wash.The 460 will likely be more reliable.Of course as chilly said you can allways stroke the 460!

Billy

 

 

Depends on what you are going to do with the truck. if you are going wheelin then go with the stroked windsor if your towing go with the 460 and put in a BIG fuel tank!!! I run a stroked 408 in a modified mud racer that puts out 700 hp with 1 carb and no nitrus. its expensive but it wieghs about 250 lbs. less than the 460 and it is kicking the chevy boys rat motors butts.... its all in what you want to do with it.

 

An inexpensive stroker kit for the 351W is the 400V8 crank machined on the mains to fit the Windsor block and a set of Silvolite #1472 Chevy 350V8 pistons. The crank snout will have to be shortened to the 351W length too. You have to open the 351W rod's pin bores to .927" from the stock .912". The problem is that you need a really good set of heads to flow enough air to feed 408cid. Stock ones won't cut it.
Having said all that, swapping a 460 for a 351M should be easier than converting to a 351W.

 

sure, that may be cheap in comparison to a new one, but machining is expensive. you'd be better off to buy a new one, and not only know its perfect, but save money, time, and have more cubes. but 460 is still the way to go