Well, I got back from the machine shop...................and the news I heard and what I saw was just discouraging to say the least. Had a couple of Jack Daniels and then a couple more.................now I need to pick a new direction for what is going to go infront of the new transmission and rear end. The motor is/was an early 351 block, pre 74 and was put together by CHP in 98/99................and I have to say to their credit that it did run a best of 9.801 in a 3325lb car and has lasted this long without ever pulling it down, kind of the same with trans and rearend. So....................the alignment of the main's is way off, almost like it was never line honed, although the tops of cylinders looked really good, no ridge................the bottoms of the cylinders are pretty worn and the motor is already .040 over...........they externally balanced the motor and the first two throws on the crank (and the last two throws) are drilled all the way down to the back of the main bearing surface................drilling this deep is just totally not needed, infact with two of the drilled holes you can see between them...........and this is a billet crank...................so what is left are the Eagle rods that need to be resized and the Probe 15:1 whcih are .040 over pistons...................so I guess it's pretty much time to start over again...............obviously I will need another block........then which one do I get, Man-O-War or ??????????? Having 4 bolt mains on all 5 journals would be my preference................then a new crank............I just am not sure I would go back to SCAT as all of their cranks with the exception of a billet are made in China, same with Eagle and I'm not sold on the quality they are producing............maybe Bryant or ?????????????? It would be interesting to put the car in SS with a 302, although I'm not sure about running the Powerglide.............maybe???? or put a stroker back in it. One thing is that I will not stay with the 15:1 compression. Just a lot to think about and I really don't want to by another set of heads or headers.............or transmission.............and would like to put a drivetrain together that will last a number of seasons................so, my motor guy has told me to either put this one back together and just run it till it stops running..................or by a crate motor.................or start from scratch with a new aftermarket block, new crank/rods/pistons and try for the 5 year plan.............................Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions.....................this race season is or will be finished before I get the Maverick back together, but this will give me some time this fall and winter to put it back together and do some dyno work so I can hit it hard next year................................?????????????????????
Yes, a stock 351w is externally balance, but this motor is a drag race only motor. When you externally balance a motor you are using the dampner on the front of the crank and the flywheel/flexplate on the other end of the crank to bring the motor into balance, both exerting forces at both ends of the crank. So, when spinning the motor at higher RPM's an externally balanced motor will usually wear parts (internal) out faster than an internaly balanced motor.......................this is just something I have always done.................I do not believe in externally balanced motors although GM/Ford have been doing it forever. Again, this is a race only motor and I want the internal parts to live a long and happy life.......IMHO
Holy crap my head is spinning. Cant imagine what yours is doing. So many decisions. Myself they would have to be based on my bank account. I guess it depends on your finances really. I'm sure the experienced racers on here can help with suggestions but you'll still be stuck with the final decision $$$$$$.
RobbieG, Yes, the new Boss351 block is nice, but it is limited to 4 bolt mains on only 3 or the 5 mains...............and it has an improved cooling system.... which is really for street motors.................not race only motors. I like the screw-in freeze plugs, but I would rather have 4 bolt mains on all 5 mains. darren, Yep, those are exactly my comments................money is always a consideration and I was hoping I wouldn't have to spend this much money, it seems everything on this "ole girl" has cost me $$$$, redo headers, rebuilt the heads, rebuild the trans..............re-do the rearend and maybe axles..........................and now the motor..................racing is not cheap anymore and I want to go out and have some fun and not worry about anything coming apart for the next 3/5 years....................so if I have to spend $6/7k..................then so be it, because I am retiring next year and plan on hitting a number of tracks during the racing season, in Oregon and Maybe Washington..............here in California and maybe even over to Arizona....................Anyone need a spare....slightly used race motor?????
OleRodder, I know you probably have visited SBFTech.com, but there is a lot of knowledge on these engines and knowledgeable people who have been where you are. Just a thought.
My two cents, take it for what it's worth---Get the best, strongest block assembly you can afford. Plan it out before you spend anything, and stay with the plan. I sometimes get sidetracked and go off my plan, and then spend money I shouldn't have on something that won't work with my original plan. Decide how fast you want to run, then ask some guys running the combo you like how their luck has been with it. I've been out of racing several years, so I don't know what the best setup would be, but do know you can tie up a lot of money in stuff that doesn't do what you want it to. Good luck!
ford84stepside, You know, it's been some 30+ years since I had to build a drag motor so I'm just a aprehensive trying to pick a way to go. The block it had was an OE block, 1973 and it did stay together for some 11 years I agree about getting the best foundation I can buy/afford, and I will. Yes, I have gotten side tracked a number of times but have always seemed to get it right, but it does take the resources and time away from the project if you don't follow a plan. The ole motor in the heavy Maverick did really respectable so I am not going to change very much..................but bring the compression down a little from the 15:1 it was before. I have had the heads brought back to good condition and the headers have been changed slightly for better 60' times, but the motor will remain basically the same with the exception of a new 4 bolt main block.
