Best 351w?

[67stangboy]

Is there any year/model of the 351w that is better for a stroked and blown set up? ive heard that blocks with this code C9OE-6015 are the strongest 2 bolt main 351's availble but I dont know alot and about them and figured I would ask you all first.

 

[ratio411]

There is all kinds of 'lore' out there about which are best.
I have heard the same about early blocks. They supposedly have better iron.
I do know that over the years the castings got thinner and thinner to lose weight. Helped make mileage and emission standards.
I have also heard that certain late 70, early 80 truck blocks had thicker castings. Don't know if it's true though.
Dave

 

[rbohm]

all 351w blocks are about the same. there were very few changes to that block, the most notable being the addition of taller lifter bore to run roller lifters in the mid 90's. as long as the block passes a sonic check, any of them will handl about 600 or so hp before they start to split apart.

 

[67stangboy]

Thanks for the help im gonna talk to one of the local machine shops who work on drag engines and see if you knows of any one selling a block. Rbohm are you sure they will only handle about 600hp? Im not saying your wrong, that just seems low since some cars in the high 8's and mid 9's run stroked 351's. Thanks for the help all.

 

[ratio411]

A stock block will handle more, BUT you must get very serious about what you are doing.
Magnaflux
Dye-pen
Sonic checking
Block de-burr
Girdle
Main bore/hone
excellent fasteners
chamfer oil passages
balance and blueprint build
Poured block

Just some of the things folks do to serious hp engines.
If you are lucky and pick the right block, it will last.
Dave

 

[67stangboy]

Thanks for the info dave, thats why I figured it would be best to talk to the guy who does most of the machine work for the cars and the local drag strip. If any one in my area can point me in the right direction he is probaly the one who can.

 

[rbohm]

only said they start to split apart at around 600 hp. if the blocks are properly prepped they will handle more than that, but they need the prepping that dave mentioned.

 

[Hack]

If you are planning on really high horsepower levels, aftermarket blocks are better.

 

[67stangboy]

any companys that you might recomend for an aftermarket block?

 

[ratio411]

Dart is the best option for an aftermarket block IMO.
They are very expensive though.
The 302 based blocks are pretty much standard, but the 9.2" and 9.5" are all Cleveland journals with Windsor cooling.
Since you will pay the same, you should get the 4.125" siamese bore block in 9.5" deck height. You can get a LOT more cubes from it. You will have to use Chevy 400 pistons though, unless you go cu$tom.
Dave

 

[67stangboy]

WOW just checked out the prices on the dart blocks, Holy $hite. SO... how much does it usualy run to do some of the block up grades, (besides the magnaflux, sonic checking, and balancing)

 

[1320stang]

Based on Dave's list, about $500-$600 bucks at least. Sonic test alone runs about $100.

 

[67stangboy]

Good I can handle that but 2000+ for the block, ouch.

 

[bnickel]

69 and 70 blocks, c9oe and d0oe respectively, have more nickel content in the iron they also have a lower deck height 9.480 vs the later blocks 9.503 deck height. all the 70's and 80's castings are pretty much the same exceptfor what has already been said about them being thinner, if you are going to be making serious hp i would stay away from the 80's blocks. another good option is the 94-97 windsor block since they are roller cam compatible and are the only true "truck" block 351w's, since that was all they were available in at that point, casting number on these blocks is f4te. any of the marine blocks are good stout blocks as well but they are very hard to come by. i would go with the 94-97 block personally since it is already setup for the roller cam and isn't too far off from the 69/70 blocks strength wise. if you feel like making a trip to mexico all of the mexican blocks have a higher nickel content in them, 302 blocks are fairly common in the states but you very rarley ever see a 351 mexican block, in fact i have only ever seen one and it was in a 78 ford pickup that came straight from old mexico.

 

[67stangboy]

wouldnt the larger deck height be a good thing in a stroker? thanks for the info may have to swing buy the local hi-pro. boat shop and talk to some one there and go buy the local mustang shop and see if any one is getting rid of an engine.

 

[ratio411]

bnickel:
I don't know if it's true or not, but it sure makes sense...

I read some old Ford stuff that suggested that the reason Mexico cast blocks were thicker was because Mexican foundries were using obsolete smelting and casting methods. Therefore the blocks would have been very weak if they cast them thin like ours.
The theory put forth was that the Mexican blocks are heavier, but NOT stronger.
The only way to describe would be cheap, poorly processed materials make up the block. In an attempt to compensate and keep Ford out of warranty trouble was to make them very heavy.
Dave

 

[Mosse]

Using older technology may have resulted thicker bores, but this doesn´t necessary mean the iron is worse. Usually these cheaper countries can use better materials cause they have more money to throw on material due to cheaper labor costs. For example here in Finland we can buy Titanium really cheap from Russian. they have lots of over production now, cause all the military industry is a bit slow... And thats about all the good things Russians closeness brings us

 

[1320stang]

There's a '69 block, crank, rods and set of bare heads on Ebay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33613&item=7925786179&rd=1


Here's a block only:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33613&item=7925886503&rd=1

 

[bnickel]

bnickel:
I don't know if it's true or not, but it sure makes sense...

I read some old Ford stuff that suggested that the reason Mexico cast blocks were thicker was because Mexican foundries were using obsolete smelting and casting methods. Therefore the blocks would have been very weak if they cast them thin like ours.
The theory put forth was that the Mexican blocks are heavier, but NOT stronger.
The only way to describe would be cheap, poorly processed materials make up the block. In an attempt to compensate and keep Ford out of warranty trouble was to make them very heavy.
Dave

Dave, not arguing but the mexican 302 blocks are very popular with drag racers because of the extra nickel content and thicker, stronger blocks. supposedly they are the best blocks to run short of high dollar eftermarket blocks. personally i don't have a lot of experience with the mexican blocks but i know about every ford drag racer around here runs them if they can find them.

 

[D.Hearne]

You will have to use Chevy 400 pistons though, unless you go cu$tom.
Dave

Be kinda hard to use Chevy pistons with Ford heads, seeing as how the valve reliefs are in the wrong place Another option in blocks is Ford's "sportsman" block that's offered for dirt trackers. Cheaper than the Darts, but not quite as strong.