Hey, I am looking ito buiding a 331. I like the idea of the cleveland heads making it a boss, and I have a few questions

1. What stroker kit do you guys reccomend?
2. If there is only a crank, what kind of pistons and other internal components should I get?
3. Has anyone done this?
4. Is it even possible?
5. What should I go for as far as a cam and rockers?
6. Where can I get a set of cleveland heads?
7. What should I do as far as intake manifold/carburetor?
8. How difficult is all of this?

I am planning on using ARP hardware, and any other reccomendations would be helpful

I know this is a lot, but thanks.

 

I have a quick Q, why not drop a 351 in it? I think you'll be far happier with a 351 than you will ever be with any variant of a 302. There is also more material in the block of the 351 which makes it easier to get more cubes out of.. I've seen some 413 kits for one.

 

I just got done building a 331, I am very pleased with it. The Cleveland heads sound like a good idea but they flow a little too well.
I went with a 302 SVO sportsman block, Scat crank, SRP forged pistons, Lunati roller cam, World Roush heads,
to much to list...
The motor makes 400+ hp
I'll post more details if needed, also there is a picture of the motor in my gallery.

Sanders

 

Thanks man, but I really like the boss 331 idea, I want it to be something different. How would the heads flow too well? why else would they have made boss on other small blocks? will it end in a loss of power? I am just wondering because i think it would be cool to say, "i have a boss 331 stroker" Sounds kinda lame, but I like the idea.

 

You would lose bottom end power with a set of Cleveland heads.. They flow real well at higher rpm's. You could make up the loss of bottom end power with a set of gears though. I would say go ahead and do it but there are better setup's.

 

This is a long time project.... I am thinking of a boss 331 stroker with a tremec 5 speed from an early '90s stang. I was thinking 4.10s with an aftermarket overdrive, but I am still in the early stages of planning.

 

You can definitely do it, but cleveland heads are older technology,
they were used in lieu of the tunnel port heads that proved to be part of a disastrous engine, the tunnel port302 back in 68 transam racing.

The cleveland heads were installed because they used the same mounting holes as the windsor heads, And they had larger ports.....and now with what we know.....bigger isn't always better WHEN IT COMES TO PORTS. the careful design of the newer modular heads (and aftermarket heads) will easily outflow the clevelands.

The C heads are better suited for engines above 350 cid.....

gearing, compression ratio and torque converters can compensate but they can only help so much.

I would opt for the 351 block, and take it up to a 390 stroker along with a roller camshaft and roller rockers and I believe that there is a company
making intakes for winsdor cleveland combos....I believe it is MPG.com
check it out.

Torque will be unbelievable, powerband will be flat (peak all across the rpm range) cost= not much more than the 331 stroker.....these engines can easily break the $5000 mark....

I belive Ford racing sells shortblocks already made...slap the heads, intake and cam and there you go.

it is their 392 stroker.

good luck

Is Ptown Petaluma?

 

961506/Steve, I'll run some numbers on the desktop dyno for a Boss 331 and a couple of other motors to give you an idea. Let me know do you want wild or mild?

Sanders

 

P-Town=Pleasanton
east bay area, kinda near petaluma.
I am looking more on the mild side. especially with gas prices out here. I am looking for an engine that will get me 375-400 HP at rear wheels. I want it get the tremec from a mustang possibly. This will hardly ever be used as a real truck. I am hoping to run it on either 87 or 89 octane. I am not too concerned about low gearing as I would rather get decent milege on the freeway cruising at 75 than outrunning everyone.
I was thinking my drive train could be like this
Engine= Not too many cubes, prefferably fewer than ~380
Tranny= Tremec from early '90s mustang GT so that it can handle the power and give me a good variety of gears and still bolt up easily to the smallblock
Rear End= I was thinking somewhere between 2.90 and 3.20

Thanks for the help.

 

The early 90's Mustangs didn't have a Tremec. They had a Borg Warner T5, at least until 94. I've broken enough of them to know. lol Also, there is much more performance AND economy to be found in the new, computer designed aftermarket performance heads that are available. Port and combustion chamber design have been much improved since the Cleveland head era. Higher performance beats a cool concept in my book, any day.

 

Thanks man, i knew I had something wrong on the tranny. I will probably just go with some newer heads anyways. What was the tranny that they put in the mid '90s cobras with the 5.0? Was that the BW? Is the 281 the same block as the 302? I dont believe so, but I could be wrong. What would be the best "carlike" tranny to put in this?

 

SteveF100s do you still have the red F100 for sale. You may remember, I bought a grille for a F100 from you about 6 months ago. Drove over from Pcola and picked it up.

Sanders
68 F100 used to be a 302 now a 331

 

Same transmission until new edge body style for cobras

 

Hey Sanders. Yes, I sold that 69 right after I met you. I made my money back, plus a whole $500 bucks for 5 months work. lol Last time I'll try restoring a truck for profit. How do you keep tires on that truck with the 331 in it? That 302 had MORE then enough to roast the tires.

 

The 331 leaves two boiling black spots on the asphalt. I learned you almost never make money on old cars/trucks.