I'm contemplating what should be done about Ford's inline 200ci's lack of horsepower, 90hp@4000rpm, I'm trying to avoid the cost of a new engine, and think that boreing it out to a 238 might not be so bad, that would add 95 horses, I want to take it to the safe limit, but i don't know whether the cost of getting new pistons and maybe rods and a camshaft would be any less than a new engine, I would like to bore it as follows: Bore Diameter(Inches): 3.68 to 3.8 Stroke Length(Inches): 3.126 to 3.5 Head Gasket Bore Diameter: 3.81 to 4 With domed pistons(7 positive cubic centimeters) and a compressed head gasket to .02 inches rather than .025. That would bring my compression up to 13.1:1, I'm not all together to sure what that would do to the engine, and if I would need the new rods and camshaft to put up with the compression, and if there is anything else i need to "upgrade" to put up with the compression. What would be the max safe compression? I'm really not sure Thanks for the help!
You are talking about boring a thin cast engine .12" - that is roughly 1/8". The pistons would have to be specialty items which are very costly if you can find them. The cylinder walls will be dangerously thin and prone to spot heating and warpage. Add to that a stroker kit and you are asking for real trouble. Why not just get the stroker kit and leave the bore at +.030"
I don't see where you'll double the HP by increasing the displacement 38 cubic inches. Like Paul suggested stroke it but limit the overbore to .030. As for rods, I can't advise you there, never seen the rods you have. You WILL need to cam it up after stroking, plus head work to improve the flow, other wise you're wasting time with a stroker kit. As for compression, 13 to 1 is WAY over the limit for pump gas. You need to shooot for no more than about 9.5- 10 to 1 for pump gas.
Yeah I always wanted to try one of the Aussie crossflow heads " We estimate that our "mild" 200 with 9.0:1 CR and a stock cam will put out 155 - 165 hp. Hotter versions will easily exceed 200 hp. A massively ported, naturally aspirated full race version with 11.0:1 CR, a 300 degree cam, and triple 45DCOE side draft Webers could reach 399 hp @ 7500 rpm, according to the simulations."....(taken from fordsix.com) http://www.fordsix.com/tech/engine/crossflow/crossflow.php
just 302 it, cant imagine it costing much more and even the most mild of 302s will feel like 3x the power you have now
Hey thanks for the info, so maybe wiht an alteraton to the plan, just bore it out +.030, should i still compress the head gasket, and maybe could i even stroke it out further maybe to 4, with out having to get a new cylinder head? I'm new to the whole engine works really. I did some research online, but i thought i'd check with the people here to make sure, if I could stroke it and bore it like that i think i'd be about 4.3 liters but that still leave thee CR at around 10.9:1, which is a bit safer i'd have to think, but is it safe enough? thanks, for answering my many questions.
I think you should really look at a 302. For the money of strokingt a 200, you could buy a prertty good 302 and then in a year or two you'll be talking about a 351 or 347. GL with your decision.
OKAY EVERYONE,! Like Ak Miller used to say, DONT SELL A SIX SHORT!!!!Let the kid have his six Remember, a six has a 120degree crank, vs a V8's 90degree between power strokes. What this means is MORE time to put torque into the crank, thus requireing lower rpm's. Its a natural for the budget street set-up. Speaking of Ak (R.I.P.),he did a 200 cu in Maverick article for Peterson Publishing, which I have.Its called tricks with a six. They used a late 170 head on the 200 short-block. Also had 3 auto-lite 2bl carbs, etc. Its all ford, and a nice DIY article, 99% factory parts too.Car went 111 MPH at El Mirage and ran 17 sec/et at 80.1MPH in the quarter with a bad shifter. It was in Petersons complete Ford Book 1970. If ya cant find it, I can mail ya a copy. Also for you in-line lovers, a stock ford 300 six lower end is good for 400 HP. A set of 390 FE pistons, cam and some head blue-printing, Bang 400, more than a 2bl cleaveland. If I had a light drag-car, id try one. Regards. Al
i'd really like to stick with the six, try and get as many horse's out of it as possible, it's kind of a neglected engine, but i think it's got great potential.
It has plenty of potential... Be ready to spend plenty of money. The head is flat out inferior and needs to be addressed. That log intake has to go. It's a tractor motor otherwise. Even if you do all the mods you talked about (Except the crazy overbore) and drive your race gas sucking stock headed 200 around. It's new found power will feel great until a stock 2 barrel 302 Maverick running 87 octane gas runs away from you. For a lot less you could get a 302/C4 combo out of the junk yard and have the potential for cheap HP that the six will never match. A month or two ago I blew away a 71 200 six Maverick in my friggin stock 2.0 4-Speed Pinto. It was hilarious. However I am sure if we tied them together back to back the Mav would have towed my little Pinto away
:16suspect Only thing you're leaving out here is what all that modifying is gonna cost him. And you can take a 2 bbl Cleveland with nothing more than adding a 4 bbl intake, carb and cam and get 400 hp. With no tricky stuff done with the bottom end.
You guys are missing the point here. Granted a v8 would be easier, but still costly. Nothing is free. We are talking six here. Granted a large overbore isnt practical. All You guys should read this article I mentioned. Its not complicated, or a expensive one as a full on super frankenstein hop-up.Like I said,stock parts, which makes it fun. Lets go to the bone-yard Dad.!
