im starting to research a new engine for my 83 bronco, and am very intrested in doing a stroked 351w. im looking at coast high performances stuff and had a few questions for the experts.
1. differences in going with the 393 as apposed to 408. (other than the extra 15 cubes) as far as power and dependability.
2. i dont have much experience with engines and feel getting a shortblock would be a good way to go for me. sound reasonable or would i be throwing a lot of money down the drain by having them do it?
3. looking for suggestions on finishing it off. a performer rpm package so i dont have to guess at cam/ intake/ head combinations?

im gonna start piecing it together to install next winter, and will be keeping it carbed. i got a c-6 but am contimplating doing a 435 swap at the same time as the engine. thanks for any help/comments hal

 

Get Edelbrock or AFR heads. The Weiand Stealth intake is a very good choice, it's range is from idle to 7000 rpm's. Cam selection is important. Pick a cam where you spend the most of your driving time in (the rpm range). Is your transmission automatic or manual? If it is manual, you do not have to worry about a torque converter's stall rating. I have heard people complain about the Edelbrock cams. Go to www.compcams.com and look at the XTREME ENERGY and XTREME 4X4 line of cams.

 

If you're going the coast route why not see what they recommend as far as cam,heads etc. they should know what works best.

 

I would suggest AFR 185 heads on a 393. I like the 393 better because they use a stock length rod and a stock style 302 piston. the problem you run into is in a lot of stroker kits is they move the piston pin up into the oil ring trying to get a few extra cubic inches. When the do that they tend to use more oil and the rings aren't as stable. Another thing to consider if you rebuild a 393 later on you have more of a choice on pistons where as a 408 you will need a custom piston. You might want to get a Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords magazine, they have lots different stroker kits in there. D.S.S. racing is one company you might want to look into. If you are looking at short blocks you might want to consider a roller block. The roller motors will allow you to use more cam than you would with a flat tappet cam and still remain streetable, and since the use the same cams as 5.0 mustang motors there are lots of cams to choose from. The throttle response is also a lot better with the roller cam. The cam and intake you need depend on what you want to do with your truck although remember that parts that might work well on a stock 351 might tend to choke a stroker motor. If it were me I would decide what I wanted to do with the truck, go through the ads and start making phone calls, ask lots of questions, take lots of notes, then go from there. just my $0.02 worth.