Thought Id post this here since all the racing people here. Tried to post this on 351 cleaveland,but the moderator is a little slow at getting members approved. As you know my intentions on putting a clev in my 72 maverick. I want to go with a stroker. I have both windsor and clev blocks. Been out of the game since the 80's Need to get back up to speed.Thinking about a 377 clev. But I like the 408 Clevor combo also (.030 x4.00 stroke), especially the .030 overbore. Seems the Windsor -based combos would may be cheaper, I dont know. Isnt the pistons the big kicker on the clevor set-ups?Pricey by racing standards? Would like the car to run low 11's -high tens, so its gonna be run pretty hard.Plan on staying with the cleav heads. This topic has probably been addressed before I would assume. Would like some comments, or directed to a old thread pertaining this. Thanks. Al
Hello, The Kicker would be the custom headers you`d need for a clevor. a 408W (aftermarket heads) or a 351c will have NO trouble putting a Mav in the low Elevens. It sounds like since you want to stay with the cleveland heads you should build a 393 or 408 Cleveland ...use tubular automotive headers...and go high tens pretty easily.
I don't know about this board, but there is a long time member of Stangnet that has a 408c and loves it. If there was anyone here to ask about that combo, I would point you that way. But I just don't know of anyone. You could go over there and pick his brain about that combo. As for a 408w, I am sure I have seen members here with that engine. Just can't think of names off top of my head. Do your research, and I am sure you will figure which is better for you. A buddy of mine here in town builds 427w engines with Cleveland heads... He says they are very spendy, but literally 'scary fast'. His is personal one is in a 65 Stang with M2 front suspension.
This 408 Cleveland stroker talk has peaked my interest. My 351C is at the speed shop right now getting a .030 bore job. What else is needed to complete the 408 (additional machine work/parts)? What is a good source for a crank? Does anything have to be done to the rods and pistons to complete this package? Gettin' stoked for a stroker :bananaman
Go over to Stangnet. There are several 408c guys there. Dodgestang is one. There is another, forgot his name, with a 408c 1970 Mach1. He works at a Ford dealer. There are others too. These are the long term members. Here is one link, but a search over there will bring up many threads. Just make sure that when you build yours, you spread your learning here! http://forums.stangnet.com/677333-need-351c-stroker-advice.html
Hi 1970 mav. That 408 set-up was for a cleavor, 351 windsor block, .030 over 4 inch stroke, and 6.2 rod set. Wiseco makes pistons that i know of. Eagle makes the crank and H-beamrods. Regards. Al
I checked the link to Stangnet that Ratio411 posted and, in their forum thread, they had a link to Speed-O-Motive who sells stroker kits. This place has a nice selection of Cleveland stroker kits including a 408. I have some questions emailed to them about further block machining. As it stands now, I need my stock crank redone and I need to purchase pistons and rods anyway. As long as I have to spend money for these parts anyway, I might as well stroke it. http://www.speedomotive.com/ps-126-10-ford-351c-to-408c-stroker-crank-kit.aspx
Fwiw, all the years in the 70s-80s that the 351c was used in Pro-stock and Nascar racing, Ford never offered a forged crank. Yes, they would use very well prepped cranks from the likes of HTC, but they were still all stock, nodular iron crankshafts! SBFs of any kind are not known for having weak cranks. The rod bolts, and to a lesser extent... the rods, are weak spots in SBF engines. Just a heads up that may or may not be helpful. On the subject of 351c strokers: I have always wanted to do a 383c. 3.75" stroke, 4.030" bore, and 6" rod... A 5.955" 351w rod might do fine if the rod journal remains stock 351. I forgot the piston off the top of my head. It is an engine I have had on the brain for 20 years. Probably never get around to building it...
What block do you plan to use for a clevor? The Cleveland blocks are shorter deck height, which makes it a little more challenging to build a stroker. Not impossible just more challenging. Windsor's block is 9.480" (well 9.500 for '74-later blocks) which makes it easier to come up with a longer rod/long stroke combination. Windsor blocks are generally considered stronger as well. That said I have no experience with Clevelands whatsoever, just what reliable sources have told me over the years. If it were me, I'd do a windsor block/crank combination and have the pistons set up for cleveland or Yates style heads, and go with some used Nascar take-off heads. It'll still have the cleveland style heads but the taller deck windsor block, which will allow you go up the stroke length, which equals more torque and a wider power range if the cam is right. Good set of heads and a stroker, with the right cam, etc it should be good for EASY 10's. 9's if it's right. Or you can go with a 302 based engine and the right heads, and it too will run 10's, PLUS it bolts in without a bunch of hacking and custom headers.
