Hey guys. I'm trying to decide on what kind of performance engine to buy/ build. Now, I want either a 302, or a 302 based stroker. I don't want to swap to a 351 or a big block. I love the idea of the 347, but I don't know anyone who has had one. So, has anyone had any experience wiht these things? If you have one, how many miles does it have on it and so forth. I will be putting this in my 79 flareside and would like a little more torque than is available with the 302. Thanks in advance.

 

The 347 stroker will last a long happy life as long as the machine work is good and you take your time assembling it right.
Just be sure the block, all parts and the area your working in is very clean and double and triple check your bearing clearances.
I do suggest file fit rings as well that way you know that the gaps are spot on and not too wide causing exessive blowby and not too small causing butting. Use plenty of assembly lube throughout.

This goes for any shortblock, stroker or not.

 

Make sure the pistons you buy do not allow the ring to intersect the wristpin, some older kits did this.

 

Thanks for the replies. How about the FRPP short block (347)? Anybody know whether or not the rings and wrist pin intersect?

 

you'd have to ask FRPP, they're really tough about not giving out information unless you drag it out of them.

A side note: I really think that a 351W would suit you best. I know you don't want to do that, but you can build one for a whole heck of a lot less $$$, and it will last SO much longer than a 347 will. The 351 has Cleveland mains, which are much beefier, and everything except your intake, distributor, oil pump, and pushrods will swap right over. You will have to change your exhaust geometry a bit to match the slightly wider top end, but you will be so happy in 50,000 miles when you're still truckin' hard instead of consuming a quart of 20w-50 every 100 miles. Here's another idea: you can take a stroker crank to a 351W (3.85" stroke) and have a 393 Windsor, and still have better rod geometry than a 347. I've talked to many people who have had 347's, and not a single person had one that lasted 50,000 miles or more. I realize that they have corrected (or at least improved upon) the old 347 design, but the 8.2" deck motor is just not as good of a platform for a bigger stroke like the 9.5" deck 351 is. Many people have build 347's successfully and made wild power, but they live on the track, not the interstate. A 351 with a stock stroke will make more power and last much much longer. TK

 

Thanks TK. That's what I was wanting to know. I have a set of headers for a 302 (long tube type). Can I make these work on the 351? What about my tranny, it's a C6, anything need to be changed in it?

 

There are two C6 bolt patterns. One for the small block and one for the 460 which was also used on the 351m/400's.

If you have the small bolt pattern it will bolt right up no problems.

 

Actually there was three patterns small block, big block, and FE block.

In answer to his question yes a 351W will bolt to your C-6 with no problems.

 

I not claiming to be a expert but as tk said the 351 is better choice. The 351 block is better built. I know that you can get 408ci stroker kits and even 427ci kits. Although the 331 or 347 strokers do offer plenty of torque. I would love to have 347 in a mustang, but 351 strokers kits offer the best bang for the buck. It all depends on the power that you want.

 

I have opted to install a 351W in my Mustang, and will be building another this winter that will be a 408W for the same car with Trickflow R series heads on it.

 

Okay, you guys have convinced me about the 351. What I was wondering about was the internals of the tranny. Converter, stuff like that. Does it need to be cahanged to work with the 351? Now I have to decide whether or not to stroke the thing.

 

You may want to change the torque converter to match your cam if you run a bigger cam. Otherwise no, just slap it on there.

 

make sure you use the right flywheel, the 302 and 351w use different flywheels.

 

go to this site and read up on it. should help you answer alot of your questions

http://www.fast351.com/tech/351w.htm

 

What year is the original 302? If it is a 78 or earlier then the flywheel is the same for both motors. After 78-79 the 302 went to a 50oz. balance while the 351W stayed the same at 28oz.