Hello,
I have a 351W in my 72 F250. I feeling like I need more power especially when I’m toting around my old slide in camper. Iv looked at the 393 stroker kit as well as considered upgrading to a big block. Was wondering if you felt a big improvement in power and if there are any pros or cons about the stroker kit that you might be able to share.

Thanks much

 

if i was you, i would find a 390, that has plenty of power, but then again you would have to change bellhouseings, i have never heard much about the 393 stroker but i bet it would have plenty of hp and torque, depending on money budget you could go either way, but if money isnt a problem go for the 390 and build that up.

-fordman

 

If you only add the stroker crank to your existing engine expect realistically 25 more ftlbs of torque. Obviously more compression, cam, heads would net you greater results. You can determine if that sounds like something you wanna do. What is your gear ratio? later

 

I have a Dana 44 or a Dana 60 with 3.73 gears. My 351W has a Edelbrock performer intake with an Edelbrock 600 carburetor. I have the 1970 stock heads that have a little bigger valves than stock (I don’t remember the numbers). I have been considering upgrading my heads. I’m running 9:1 compression ratio. I’m also running an RV cam. I have had both a 390 and a 360 in the past. They are good motors. Their are however a few reasons why I choose not to use them. 1. I don’t like the way that Ford set up the valve cover assembly they always seem to leak. 2 the exhaust manifold bolts are notorious for breaking off in the head (had this happen on both of my motors) 3. the parts for these motors seem much pricier and less available then say a standard small block or big block. 4 they don’t seem as efficient when factoring in the fuel economy verses weight and power compared to a say a 460. But I will admit that they pack a good bit of torque.

 

JK-72-F250

Well I would guesstimate with your engine setup, you would gain a little more going with the stoker crank, than what I previously mentioned, given you keep the compression up. You might look into one of comp cams extreme energy cams or 4X4 cams, might make a noticable improvement over your rv cam, depending on what you have. Have you already or considered smoothing the ports on your heads?

Just to be sure, your aware that you can use the scat stroker crank, stock rods, and 302 stocktype pistons (with your engines bore size) to make a "cost effective" stroker? Well, after you have it all balanced that is. Just thought I would throw that out there

 

JW,
It seems like you know a good bit about the stroker upgrade would you recommend buying the parts as a kit or separately if that is the route I chouse to take? As for my heads I was considering just upgrading to GT 40 style instead of messing with mine. But im still wondering if adding the stroker is going to net me enough power or if I should just step up to the 460 or something along those lines. That would of course mean that id have to change my tranny and a few other things. I really just want enough power to pull a good size boat or camper trailer. It doesn’t seem like I have the power now.

JK

 

YOu would probably be just as well off having your heads ported, the 70 heads are very well liked by ford enthusiasts. YOu already have the larger valves and depending on conditon, the work might not cost as much as usual. This fellow offers very good prices on his work and a flow sheet along with it, might be of interest to you. www.XSRcylinderheads.com

I priced locally having my heads done (ported) with a three angle valve job and it was similar to the previously mentioned persons prices. Your heads would be better, by far, after the port work, as opposed to just dropping on the gt-40's. Since you already have the D0OE heads, it makes sense $$$ wise to just port them, IMO.

YOu really don't need the kit to build a stroker, but if you can get the kit cheap enough, why not? Compare the price of bearings, arp rod and main bolts, along with a scat crank $300, and 302 pistons $100+ to the kit price, pay attention to what bearings the kit might use and bolts, if included. See what you think, don't forget you will need to have your rotating assembly balanced by a machinist as well, using your flywheel and damper.

If your just looking for street use the cast pistons would work well, and your stock rods reconditioned are good for a lot of hp, so it all really depends on prices as previously mentioned.

My only recommedation would be go find someone that has an f250 with a 460 and drive it and see if it feels better, if you find one on a car lot, take it home hook your boat up and see what it feels like , otherwise you will never know for sure. If my goal was to pull something only, then a diesel would be what I would look at, better mpg and depedablility that is unmatched, and torque to spare. Good luck, let us know what you decide and how it goes, later

 

JW
Thanks for the good info. Ill do some looking in to the part prices. It also sounds like maybe I should consider a diesel as an option. Is that a doable swap from a gas engine?
Thanks again.

 

Any thing is possible . Might consider trading off your vehicle or selling yours and getting the diesel, might be cheaper that way. Good luck