Yea, and 90% of what he's doing is attributed to the gears. (torque multiplication)

 

You need torque to accellerate any vehicle, the more torque it generates at lower rpms, the quicker it'll accellerate the truck. You will get more torque by using a 351 than you will a 302, for the same dollars spent. It's your money.

 

But the way i see it is that i can buy a stroker kit for the cost of what a 351 runs for around here now. Theyre not easy to find if i do find them theres 350,000 on them. So the bottom end would need to be done eventually anyway! I know if i didnt have a few 302s laying around id be jumping at a 351.

 

I've pulled more than a few 302's apart (roller motors from the 90's) that did not need to be rebored with 100,000 + miles on them. No reason why a 351 would be any different. At best, all they needed was freshening up with new rings and bearings. I have a roller 351 on the stand now that came from a 97 F250, by the way it looks on the outside, I fully expect it to be pretty good on the inside too. Whole thing cost me $300 with the ZF-5 speed included.

 

+1... that's why I suggested the 347 stroker in my first post. I have had both of these motors in my own truck with similar mods.. cam and exhaust so both made the same peak HP, but with the 5.8 the truck was 3 seconds faster 0-60.

 

Exactly, I would agree with a 347, only if the vehicle's engine bay(Ranger, Maverick, Comet, 65-66 Stang,etc) required a smaller (dimensionally) engine. Absolutely no reason to do one in an F series when 351W's are plentiful.

 

So whats the bare bones basic 347 short block gonna run by a decent shop?

 

The stroker kit alone will cost anywhere from $800-1200.

 

Is there any machining other than boring them out to get te bottom end together?

 

Yes, the bottoms of the jugs (bore wall extensions) have to be clearanced to allow the rods freedom of movement. Then the rotating assembly needs to be balanced.

 

Would it be safe to say a 347 stroker bottom end can be done for about 1800

 

Yea, but why, when you can do a 351W for almost half that ?

 

Ok what are you going to be doing with this truck?

street- cruising and light towing, mash the pedal for the passing lane
strip- high rpm
off road- torque is king

This is the first question that must be answered before all others.

A 302 can be build to spool up very well. The small main bearing diameter helps this.

The 351 will the the king of torque between the 2 engines.
Both engines will suffocate at high rpm's with stock heads.
Building for large torque and HP number will most likey mean a pricey tranmission to go with it.
Just be warned about all short rod engines(strokers ). The primary engine wear will be at the top of the cylinders. I just had my cleveland punched out and the original bore was worn. .003 from stock at the bottom, .004 in the middle, and .014 just below the ridge. The short arm puts out great forces around tdc. the cleveland is a factory short rod design. Strokers are no different.

People will take stock engines and use longer rods. The long rod increases the dwell time at TDC. The piston will hang around a little longer at the top and when combustion happens, the delay gives time for the blast to build pressure against the piston. Better usage of fuel as well as creating more torque. i know guys long rod 351's but not sure about 302.

If street and average towing is what your after both engines are great, but the windsor will let you tow more.

You can do alot with a .030 engine and stock stroke. Better heads, exhaust, and cam will bring a stocker right to life. And strangely enough they make blowers that fit right on top.

 

nmnmzzzzzzz

 

You want reliable and pleasant on the highway? Use engine #2.