how hard is it to run a siamese block on the street?

[milehighstang]

hey i was really contemplating a R302 block, but because its a siamese block i have heard that it is nearly impossible to keep these blocks cool on the street. is this true? i plan on making way more power than the stock block can handle but if i cant drive it on the street than i dont want that either

 

[302fordracer]

lol..wow you must be looking for a crapload of power...

 

[CArkid0101]

what is a siamese block? Whats the differences?

 

[milehighstang]

well they say a stock block is good to 450-500 rwhp. the R302 is rated at 1200rwhp. lets just say i plan on making a number between that. O and siamese blocks are solid castings between the cylinder bores, and there are no water passages between them. this is done for added strength. but because of that the engines can get hot!

 

[TMC]

It won't be a problem on the street with the right parts to keep it cool. A decent radiator should be all you really need but a decent oil cooler would help insure it to stay cool. I've seen a few guys with R blocks on the street and they have not had any issues. One of those guys moved to AZ and hasn't overheated it even in the summer down there.

 

[clang5oh]

my brother in law runs a chevy 400 (all chevy 400 were siamese bore) in his 85 1500. it got a little warm but really there was never a real problem other than the pinging. it was a little built and all the factory cooling stuff kept it in line.

 

[milehighstang]

thanx guys really appreciate the info. sounds good. im not so nervous to run the r302 now. thanx