Anybody gotten the torque for a 351W into the 500's with a low rpm range? (3000-4000rpm range) If so, how'd ya do it?

 

Well, it's actually easier to do than one might think. A 351W with a .030 over bore and a stroker crank with a 4 inch stroke will do the job, all day, every day. I personally have one putting out 650 ft-lbs at 5000 peak, with the lowest being 480 at 2000. Mine is a bit of a drag motor with some exotic heads, but I am in the process of building another for my truck. A 351w with a 4 inch stroke works out to 408, with a relatively mid cam (.550 lift or thereabouts, but I am NOT going to get into a cam debate, call some manufacturers), 9.5-to-1 compression minimum, and the right heads, it will be easy. Your going to want a good quality crank, some good rods (Eagles, perhaps)and good pistons. Heads are the key, next to stroke, for making this kind of low end grunt. Either a set of Aussies with the big valves and a Stage 1 port job, or a Windsor-style head flowing in the neighborhood of 240-250 cfm without getting into excessive sized ports. Don't get crazy with huge airflow, that will kill the torque, or rather move the torque band higher in the RPM range. Smaller ports flowing these numbers translates into velocity, meaning excellent cylinder filling giving you the torque you want. It's not going to be a cheap build, but well within reach of the average torque-junky!

 

What transmission are you using?

 

Rock on, I'm trying to make 400 ft.lbs of torrque with my .030 over 302, check out the combo:
'77 F100, 2wd, 9" rear, 2.75 gears, C4 Tranny, 302 bored .030" over, flat top pistons, world products Windsor Jr. heads (hydraulic cam), Comp XE 254 4x4 cam, part #35-235-3 (210 int/218 exh @ .050", .477 int/.493 exh, 111 lobe sep, @106 Centerline already ground 4 deg. adv.), Crane energizer 1.6 ratio aluminum roller rockers, comp energizer pushrods, crane Blazer double roller timing set, small tube, full length headers, high flow cats, no mufflers, 2.5" exhaust (no crossover). Edelbrock 600 elec choke carb (#1406), Weiand action- plus dualplane aluminum low rise intake, 14" air dish with K&N, 1" 4-hole spacer under carb, MSD 6a box w/Blaster II coil, 8mm wires firing BOsch Platinum plugs, gapped .044". the vehicle weight is listed at 3750 lbs. 9.6:1 nominal compression, on 93 octane pump gas. Timing is set at 36.5 degrees total.
It's all about the torque, that's what makes us better than the Import kids, and it's why they'll never beat us at the track.
Happy wrenching, John

 

you're going to be looking hard to make 400 lb ft. with that. thats a really mild combo, exactly what I'm setting up in my truck (but i'm going holley instead of edelbrock in the carb department).... even with all that, those 2.75 gears are going to kill your acceleration, big-time. if you do find it to make 400, thats awesome! let me know

 

Gendo,
I am using an Art Carr-built C4. This engine/trans is currently residing in my 65 Falcon. (I know, not a truck) But the one i am building for my truck is a 392 stroker (from a 351W) Making low end grunt is going to be fairly easy. I will post Dyno results this spring if you are interested. - Don

 

Ok, cause I've been looking for a manual 5-speed that can handle that power. I've heard the zf is only rated to about 420 lb/ft of torque. Also do you think it will be a problem with only having 2 bolt main caps? The cams range is 2500-5500 I believe so I won't be getting to the 6500-7000 range.

 

Gendo,
Your two-bolt mains won't be a problem, just use good bolts (or preferably studs), like ARP units. They have never failed me yet. If you use the ARP set, make sure you follow their instructions, they are very important. Good block prep is essential here, too. All basically common sense. Keeping the RPM's low means it should last forever. - Don