engine rebuild

[2fast4u770]

looking to build a engine for a 89 mustang im about to buy.need help tho, whats better between a 306 or 347 stroker and what transmission would match up best.i dnt want a race car but i do want alot of power. if you have anymore advise to get me please do..

 

[stykthyn]

If you aren't racing just go with a fresh 306.

 

[1bad67sbf]

a good 306 will work fine and build it for forced induction to give you the (lots of power) your looking for

 

[2fast4u770]

and transmission will be best with a 306

 

[1bad67sbf]

do you like to shift or just drive?

 

[2fast4u770]

shift, 5 speed

 

[1bad67sbf]

t-5 sounds like an easy answer.get one rebuilt or get one used and have it rebuilt. (your choice)

 

[2fast4u770]

would that be cheaper than getting a new one, and whats a good website to get a 306 short block

 

[1bad67sbf]

yes rebuilt should be cheaper and here is just one of thousands of options
Ford 306 Performance Short Block - TREperformance.com

 

[NIKwoaC]

The cost difference between a 306 and a 347 is so small that you'd really be doing yourself a disservice by not building a 347. Once you go beyond just a quick hone and re-ring and get into boring a block, you're looking at a decent amount of money in machine work, new pistons, balancing, etc. Once it's all said and done, you could have spent another couple hundred bucks and had 41 more CI. Which, IMHO, is a no brainer.

 

[1bad67sbf]

347's are nice also but when someone tells me they dont want a race car it sounds like someone who wants low maintanace and i dont know if a 347 stroker fits that very well. i could be wrong but a stockish 302 (306) block is good for 100k+ if taken care of. what is the average rebuild or replace done on a 347? can they be rebuilt after? i ask because i have thought about it myself.

 

[robo]

i'd build the 347. i like torque, especially on the street at relatively low rpms. (not advocating street racing just good old fashioned spirited driving)

it will cost you about 1500 more though. not sure how you can do it for a few hundred over a 306. the kit will cost 900 to 1500 and you will need the block relieved for rod clearance.

whatever you do, hire a good machinist, build a relationship with him and listen to what he tells you to do.

engine lifespan is more a product of quality machine work and assembly than rod ratio or piston pin location.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

347's are nice also but when someone tells me they dont want a race car it sounds like someone who wants low maintanace and i dont know if a 347 stroker fits that very well. i could be wrong but a stockish 302 (306) block is good for 100k+ if taken care of. what is the average rebuild or replace done on a 347? can they be rebuilt after? i ask because i have thought about it myself.

Why wouldnt a 347 be rebuildable? I have friends running 331's and 347's for over 6 years. Early 347's had the wrist pin oil problem, most kits(probe for certain) have fixed the problem and now offer offset the piston pins to help with the rod ratio problem that 347's were plagued with in the past. So for a few more bucks go bigger. Take care of your 347 like any other motor and it will last.

 

[1bad67sbf]

Why wouldnt a 347 be rebuildable? I have friends running 331's and 347's for over 6 years. Early 347's had the wrist pin oil problem, most kits(probe for certain) have fixed the problem and now offer offset the piston pins to help with the rod ratio problem that 347's were plagued with in the past. So for a few more bucks go bigger. Take care of your 347 like any other motor and it will last.

how much OS is needed to run a 347 kit?

 

[stykthyn]

I always hear people say its only a couple hundred more for a 347, but like mentioned earlier the kits run for a grand or better and then you have the H/C/I and fuel system to deal with on top of that. By the time you are done you are in 3-4 thousand on top of what a stock rebuild will cost.

My vote would go to a 306/302 with an explorer top end and tfs1 cam. The entire combo can be built and running for under 2k dollars and is an extremely stout street set up.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

how much OS is needed to run a 347 kit?

OS, offset? I'm sure it would depend on the piston brand, most brands will have it listed.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

I always hear people say its only a couple hundred more for a 347, but like mentioned earlier the kits run for a grand or better and then you have the H/C/I and fuel system to deal with on top of that. By the time you are done you are in 3-4 thousand on top of what a stock rebuild will cost.

My vote would go to a 306/302 with an explorer top end and tfs1 cam. The entire combo can be built and running for under 2k dollars and is an extremely stout street set up.

Thats because people dont stop, if he's ordering a short block he might as well spend the few hundred more and use his current parts and upgrade later. It will still make more HP and lots more torque

 

[1bad67sbf]

OS, offset? I'm sure it would depend on the piston brand, most brands will have it listed.

no oversize piston. is it .30 .40 over stock?

 

[Shaolin Crane]

no oversize piston. is it .30 .40 over stock?

Ah, most 347 kits offer a STD, .30 and .40 piston

 

[stykthyn]

I just see no point in building a 250hp 347 when you can get the same numbers with stockish parts.