I just picked up my 1972 351W block this morning. Still need to send it to the shop to get it cleaned, but i want to start planning ahead and was wondering if i should stroke it out to a 393, 408, or a 427 ??.. Which will be most reliable? I'm looking for about 400hp street/strip car.
with this crank you use the stock 351w rods, and stock 302 pistons. this is the best price on a stroker crank i have yet found. a good set of heads, the afr205's work nice if you can afford them, otherwise a set of roush 200's in cast iron work real nice as well. for a cam i say a comp cams extreme energy 282 roller cam. should give you an easy 425-450hp on a budget. with proper maintenance it should also go 100,000 miles without problem.
The 408 would be the best bang for the buck. They are very reliable. If you wanted to buy a dart block, I'd say go for the 438. They are real monsters. I had a 438 built in a dart block with dart pro 1 heads and a very healthy solid roller cam and a super victor intake. Made 774hp and lasted 3 seasons of hard drag racing as well as lots of street duty (a little much for the street though) I know you're not looking for this kind of power, but my point is how good they hold up.
In your case, I'd definitly go with the 408. Rod angle isnt too bad and if it comes apart, you've still got enough cylinder wall to bore it again.
IMO, if money is no object, go for as much as you can get.
If you want to do it inexpensive, the 393w is the best low buck stroker ever.
Assuming you are going to freshen up the block and crank, the 393w is almost no more expensive than a stock rebuild!
Dave
I would advise against any kit using stock 351W rods; they are crap. They took out my stock 351W and destroyed the block. I have heard alot of stock 351W's from the 70's woth less than 100,000 mile knocking from the rods coming apart.
It's the rod bolts, not the rods...
Polish them, balance, and ARP bolts...
I have heard that there were some mid-70s truck rods with spot face bolts instead of square heads. That would be cool is there is such a thing.