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Dart Blocks

  • Thread starter Thread starter FiveLtrRiceEatr
  • Start date Start date Dec 11, 2004
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FiveLtrRiceEatr

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Oct 2, 2004
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Dec 11, 2004
#1
  • Dec 11, 2004
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Anyone here have any experience with dark iron blocks?

I have some questions

1. I want the stroker 302 block (8.700" deck height) and on flatlander racing it says you can stroke it up to a 427. So if I got CHP's 427w kit (for the 351w) it would fit because 302 and 351 are the same block expect the 351w has a taller deck height. Would I have to the stroker block stroker clearenced because that would be alot of money to throw into a block that already costs 2100!

2. Does it come bored .030 over?

so basically do you have to have the dart block machined to fit a stroker kit and over bored?
 

giddyup306

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
3,041
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59
Dec 11, 2004
#2
  • Dec 11, 2004
  • #2
FiveLtrRiceEatr said:
Anyone here have any experience with dark iron blocks?

I have some questions

1. I want the stroker 302 block (8.700" deck height) and on flatlander racing it says you can stroke it up to a 427. So if I got CHP's 427w kit (for the 351w) it would fit because 302 and 351 are the same block expect the 351w has a taller deck height. Would I have to the stroker block stroker clearenced because that would be alot of money to throw into a block that already costs 2100!

2. Does it come bored .030 over?

so basically do you have to have the dart block machined to fit a stroker kit and over bored?
Click to expand...


Nope they come slightly under 4" bore. You have to bore it to get a 4" bore. BTW the most I've seen a 302 stroked is 363 CID. And they're not verry well suited for longivity.
 
8

87AODGT

Founding Member
Jan 6, 2001
373
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19
Toms River, NJ
Dec 11, 2004
#3
  • Dec 11, 2004
  • #3
the 363 size is based on the regular 8.2" block
 

FiveLtrRiceEatr

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#4
  • Dec 11, 2004
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giddyup306 said:
Nope they come slightly under 4" bore. You have to bore it to get a 4" bore. BTW the most I've seen a 302 stroked is 363 CID. And they're not verry well suited for longivity.
Click to expand...

thats a rip off, I'm not gonna buy a block for 2k and then spned money on it to be machined pff thats stupid.
 

giddyup306

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
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Dec 11, 2004
#5
  • Dec 11, 2004
  • #5
FiveLtrRiceEatr said:
thats a rip off, I'm not gonna buy a block for 2k and then spned money on it to be machined pff thats stupid.
Click to expand...


Sportsman blocks are the same way.
 
8

87'GTstang

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Feb 16, 2004
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#6
  • Dec 11, 2004
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FiveLtrRiceEatr said:
thats a rip off, I'm not gonna buy a block for 2k and then spned money on it to be machined pff thats stupid.
Click to expand...
They are a superior block compared to all else. They are also capable of between 1,500-2,000 horsepower - you get what you pay for!

Also for the crank, the 5.8 has a larger crank journal diameter than the 5.0. Most stroker kits are baised on a rebuilt engine also.
 

FiveLtrRiceEatr

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#7
  • Dec 11, 2004
  • #7
87'GTstang said:
They are a superior block compared to all else. They are also capable of between 1,500-2,000 horsepower - you get what you pay for!

Also for the crank, the 5.8 has a larger crank journal diameter than the 5.0. Most stroker kits are baised on a rebuilt engine also.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info, I still think its a rip off, I'll just go with a DSS block or CHP block, I'm not gonna be making that much hp.

and I thought the 351w had a larger crank journal diameter than the 302, thats why I was confused how you could actually stroke dart blocks up to 450 ci like they say, you must have to get a custom crank, insane $$$.
 
8

87'GTstang

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#8
  • Dec 11, 2004
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Well dart blocks have a lot more improvements over ths stocker than meets the eye. They also have so many ordering configurations that one has to really read up on what they offer to know what you need. Their blocks are like ordering a car pretty much, there are so many options you could go with.
 

FiveLtrRiceEatr

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Dec 11, 2004
#9
  • Dec 11, 2004
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87'GTstang said:
Well dart blocks have a lot more improvements over ths stocker than meets the eye. They also have so many ordering configurations that one has to really read up on what they offer to know what you need. Their blocks are like ordering a car pretty much, there are so many options you could go with.
Click to expand...

yes, I know but it was just frustrating, they are great if you are building a race car, i think they are an amazing product just insanely priced
 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master
Nov 29, 1999
9,692
95
99
PA
Dec 11, 2004
#10
  • Dec 11, 2004
  • #10
Almost any block has to be clearanced for a stroker, there area few that will fit but it depends on the rod and stroke.

Stock 351W has a 3" main, 9.2 deck Windsor racing or a 351C has a 2.749", the stock 302 is 2.25". You would all need to get a kit made for the 8.7 deck height.

The DART blocks come standard bore or some in a .125" over bore, they need minimal machine work but with balancing it will cost you $500+. The bores come undersized by .010" so they can be bored an honed to final size to fit your exact application.

They are worth every last penny.... DART also offers a Sportsman block which is about $300-$400 cheaper. If your serioius about a DART block let me know, I'll get you in contact for a great deal.

Talk about a rip off look at those CNC blocks that DSS offers... A stock block is a stock block and always will be, nothing you do will stop it from splitting up the middle when it is ready to go
 

FiveLtrRiceEatr

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Dec 11, 2004
#11
  • Dec 11, 2004
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Rick 91GT said:
Talk about a rip off look at those CNC blocks that DSS offers... A stock block is a stock block and always will be, nothing you do will stop it from splitting up the middle when it is ready to go
Click to expand...

why I've heard only good things from people I've know who've purchased them, and how can it be crap when magazines spend to issues on them?
 
8

89rdgt

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#12
  • Dec 11, 2004
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Dart was made for the serious racer in mind. The reason why they dont pre make them for assembly is because all parts are not crated equal. When you order a set of pistons every single on will have a slight diffrence in bored diamater they allow you to get piston to wall exactly the same on every cylinder and do much more. This is blueprinting.
 

FiveLtrRiceEatr

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#13
  • Dec 11, 2004
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89rdgt said:
Dart was made for the serious racer in mind. The reason why they dont pre make them for assembly is because all parts are not crated equal. When you order a set of pistons every single on will have a slight diffrence in bored diamater they allow you to get piston to wall exactly the same on every cylinder and do much more. This is blueprinting.
Click to expand...

exactly I did all the blue printing on my dad's 351w to a 408, i know how to do it. I just dont want to play like 3200 to get a block and it machined, thats way to much for me! I have a budget!
 

hllon4whls

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Dec 11, 2004
#14
  • Dec 11, 2004
  • #14
The ford sportsman blocks are inbetween a stock and a dart block for cost and hp capability. They are less than $1000 and handle more power than stock. I forget what the rating is. I would like to have one for piece of mind.
 

TIMMY2734

Founding Member
May 17, 2002
1,330
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Queens, NY
Dec 12, 2004
#15
  • Dec 12, 2004
  • #15
FiveLtrRiceEatr said:
why I've heard only good things from people I've know who've purchased them, and how can it be crap when magazines spend to issues on them?
Click to expand...


Its plain and simple, like Rick said, ITS A STOCK BLOCK. Ever hear the saying you can polish a turd........ How DSS claims 40+ hp over a "stock" stock block is beyond me. They simply dont have the metal where its needed and are going to crack down the middle, whether or not you hav one of their main girdles or that new stupid lifter valley girdle.

Magazines spend time with that stuff for one thing, for the most part at least ..$$$$$$
 

FiveLtrRiceEatr

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#16
  • Dec 12, 2004
  • #16
hllon4whls said:
The ford sportsman blocks are inbetween a stock and a dart block for cost and hp capability. They are less than $1000 and handle more power than stock. I forget what the rating is. I would like to have one for piece of mind.
Click to expand...

I looked them up ford says that shouldnt be pushed more then 450 hp.

So there is no other choice besides Dart?

the DSS block is similar to the Boss 302 block and the boss 302 block can handle 900 hp. I know they are made of different material, but
 

281pony

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
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Oly, WA
Dec 12, 2004
#17
  • Dec 12, 2004
  • #17
i think one thing can be said.

if you want to push that much power and be reliable in the first place, you shouldnt be on that tight of a budget. NOTHING ever costs as planned.

listen to what people are saying. hell even i told you the dss blocks werent worth the money and people like rick are definately worth listening to.
 

FiveLtrRiceEatr

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Dec 12, 2004
#18
  • Dec 12, 2004
  • #18
88SC_GT said:
i think one thing can be said.

if you want to push that much power and be reliable in the first place, you shouldnt be on that tight of a budget. NOTHING ever costs as planned.

listen to what people are saying. hell even i told you the dss blocks werent worth the money and people like rick are definately worth listening to.
Click to expand...

well getting a dart block is out of the question, they may be worth every penny, but not when I want to do other things. yes I know nothing ever costs as planned, but not like 2000+ more thats insane. so there is no resonable alternative, I'm not on a super tight budget, but when you saying 1000s of dollars thats out of the question.

And yes I'm listening to them, but I DONT have that kinda of money to blow on a block.
 
M

manpowermustang

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Dec 12, 2004
#19
  • Dec 12, 2004
  • #19
You get what you pay for. this is so true. Next year when I put on a supercharger Im going to order a Dart block to put my 347 back into. Sometimes these motors take 6 moths or long to build, its better than rushing it to just drive it and having to redo it cause a person put some cheap **** into it.
 

TIMMY2734

Founding Member
May 17, 2002
1,330
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36
Queens, NY
Dec 12, 2004
#20
  • Dec 12, 2004
  • #20
FiveLtrRiceEatr said:
I looked them up ford says that shouldnt be pushed more then 450 hp.

So there is no other choice besides Dart?

the DSS block is similar to the Boss 302 block and the boss 302 block can handle 900 hp. I know they are made of different material, but
Click to expand...



DSS uses a stock roller block.... The Boss block has 4 bolt mains. Two completely different pieces. Going cheap aint fast. If you want a big inchg stroker, the easiest and "cheapest" will be a 351 based piece, 393, 408 and so on. A 351 block shouldnt have any problems handling 600 horse
 
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