Is the the 434 a common stoker build? I drag race with a lot of mustang guys and 408's or 427's are pretty common, I've not heard of anyone building a 434. Just curious? Also wonder if you have heard of this guy?

FordStrokers.com 331-347-408-418-427 Custom Built Small Block Ford Engines

I have a 347 planned for my mustang and will be using fordstrokers.com

 

It's not that the 434 is a common build, but it's what you get when you stroke a 335 based block. The 351C, 351M, and the 400 all come from the 335 engine family, and if you stroke a 400, you get 434. Lots of guys tend to shy away from the 351M and the 400 due to their relatively short history, and their inherent issues from the factory (low compression, retarded timing, low oil pressure, etc.). Pretty much every one of those issues can be dealt with, and if built right, the 335 engine family can produce some really good numbers. BUT......as others will tell you, if you're going for much over about 450hp, it'd end up being cheaper if you just build a 460, as it has the displacement and available parts to do so more inexpensively.

Weirdos like me, however, will go and build the 434. I didn't build mine for max horsepower, but rather best power achievable with well mannered idle, and good enough vacuum to drive accessories (brake booster). So, while I could have gone for more power, I ended up with respectable numbers (504hp, 544tq) with good idle and vacuum, all on pump gas. I won't lie........I could have built two 460's for the same price, but as I said earlier, I wanted to take the road less traveled.

As for that Fordstrokers site, it looks like their engines start out Windsor based (302, 351), and go up from there. That could explain why you've not seen the 434 from them, as it's not typical for the blocks that they use. Like with the 347 you're looking to build, it's really common for the 302. If you're curious about the 434, you can always go to Tim Meyers site (just google TMeyer Inc), and you can read up about it there. Tim's a good guy, and he may actually know about those guys on the other site.

Hope that answers your question, and hopefully our original poster is getting an idea of the direction he'd like to go.

 

Thanks for the education Behemoth!!

 

As what has been said before, some people like to take the road less travelled. I built a 300hp 300-I6 with knowledge gained from forsixperformance.com and when I pull into a gas station and check my oil everybody wants to come over and have a look at what the hell is under the hood. Everybody and their dog can and will build a stroker 302/351W or a 429/460 its easy and conveniant and takes little effort. I have been researching the 434 TMeyer stroker and am a HUGE fan of Engine Masters. The Ford Cleveland just simply stomps, sounds cool as all hell, makes deadly torque, 351M/400 engines are dirt cheap and or free to find. Real men take the road less travelled, chumps take the easy way out. My next engine build is going to be a 434 Cleveland as those words alone are extremely rare and carry a level of respect. An idiot can put together a 450hp 385 series engine, but a saavy engine builder will massage an underdog and it will surprise everybody.