R-BLOCKS VR'S DART BLOCKS

[muddslide]

I read the past posts about both blocks but I still have a few questions. I'm in the market for one of the two but can't find a used one so I quess I have to buy a new block. I have heard a few people say the Dart blocks are better but they didn't say why. Is it in the machine work or quaility of the block. The Dart block is about 200.00 dollars more after I added them up including free shippping and tax. I need to figure out what is the best block for me, I'm looking to stoke it outto a 347 and add a 671 blower. I'm looking at the 8.70 deck height for the stroker kit. What are the difference in blocks? If your running the blocks please include what set-up you have and roughfully what you paid. I know its not cheap but thats why I buying piece by piece to lightnen the big load.

 

[fastcoupe68]

I dont know how soon your looking to buy but World products is releasing all kinds of new small block ford castings. as for the other 2, you can't go wrong either way, opinions will vary. I am currently waiting for World to come out with there stuff. I am going to purchase the new 351w block from what i have heard they are going to be much less expensive.

 

[muddslide]

I read that article in a mag, I think they are coming out in mid-April. My question is are they going to have problems with the block and stroker kits fiting? I thought about waiting myself but I would rather go with a known block

 

[D.Hearne]

From what I've read on the two, the R block needs finish machine work on the lifter and main bearing bores where the Dart doesn't. The 8.7 block will complicate your blower manifold plans. A blower intake for this will be non existent.

 

[muddslide]

Could I use a spacer plate to adapt to the new 8.70 deck height?

 

[D.Hearne]

Yes, that's an option, but you'd probably have to fabricate them yourself, I doubt you'd find a ready made set.

 

[D.Hearne]

Yes, that's an option, but you'd probably have to fabricate them yourself, I doubt you'd find a ready made set.

 

[allcarfan]

are they both siamesed 'bored'? I dont think the R block has water passages through it in order to make the block stronger. I dont know what kind of HP you plan on making, but have you considered a sportsman block (B50)? They can be had for well under $1000 and can handle all kinds of HP. Look on corral for a dart, sportsman, A4 (if you can find one) or an R block.

A regular (A50) roller block can handle a 347 with a 671 blower....as long as you dont get too radical with the cam and the heads.

Shane

 

[muddslide]

I thought about the Sportsman block but I'm looking make 600-700RWHP. It will take me awhile to buy all the parts but I would rather wait for the good stuff

 

[HookandLadder]

With the Dart. You need an aftermarket oil pan.......the stock won't work. You have to use the link-bar lifters..........the spider keeper set up requires carving into the block for clearance. Also, the Dart is hard as a diamond......don't plan on the normal number of bits for clearancing for the stroker. Other than that......awesome piece......just expensive.

 

[allcarfan]

you can make 600rwhp with a sportsman block.

 

[muddslide]

yes but for how long? I would hate to spen 1,000 on a sportman block and have it crack in a few months

 

[allcarfan]

$1000 is too much for a sportsman block...shop around. We have a guy in our club that has a 331, twin turbo, stage II heads, 13psi....runs a sportsman block.

Another guy in our club has a 331, stage I heads, 300shot, sportsman block....held up just fine.

Hell, I had a STOCK block with a 331 from keith craft, stage III RPM heads, 13 psi from a TT kit, stage III RPM intake, and made 624.7rwhp. I had a girdle. Everything was perfectly balanced. I drove the car on an almost daily basis.

 

[muddslide]

Thanks for the info. I'm considering a sportsman block now. I would like a dart block but the 2,000+800-900.00 in machine work is scaring me off. I want to keep the car streetable and affordable. I'm leaning towards the sportsman block and stroking it to a 347. What are you thoughts, Is there a reason you choose the 331?

 

[allcarfan]

The rod/stroke ratio on a 331 is better than that of a 347. Thats the only reason I had one. have you ever driven a 600rwhp on the street? It is NOT FUN. You want to keep it streetable and fun, you may want to reconsider your goals.

 

[efi66r331]

The biggest problem I have seen from the sportsman block is the front of the block blowing out under boost (typically in the high boost <15 range). I know quite a few guys running the block in the renegade class that have had this problem also. Many of them have gone back to a stock 5.0 block and the block checked after each race since the cost of the sportsman is so high and can have similar problems.

I am running a r block planned to run in the 450rwhp once I get a blower. The cost of the block is pretty high, but I wanted to build it once and not have it break, so the I bought it as insurance. Overkill I know for the power I am running, but I am tired of always breaking things.

 

[allcarfan]

You dont think it will overheat on the skreet?

 

[Edbert]

I'm leaning towards the sportsman block and stroking it to a 347. What are you thoughts, Is there a reason you choose the 331?

I stayed out since I had nothing to add until now. I say get the 331 versus the 347. I say the same to 351 guys, get the 408 not the 427.

When you max out the stroke that far you get a less stable platform for RPMs. The shorter the stroke the better it revs and the longer it lasts (at high RPM).

But I am a little crazy with the short-stroke love. I always preferred the 289 to the 302 and they share the same bore.

 

[fastcoupe68]

I agree 331 much more durable setup better rod ratio. also the 347 has an oiling problem in the ring package most 347s have the pin extended into the oil rings that cause an oil control problem. If it was a strictly race engine I wouldnt be concerned but a car with this setup drivenon the street for extended periods than it would be cause for concern, oil consumption. Coast High Perf has said that they have cured this problem with there setup, but I have yet to see one with 20 or 30thousand miles on it to agree or disagree. But I have seen 331s prove to be very durable in bolth drag and street applications. Just make sure you buy or use good quality components when doing your buildup, and to contradict myself the whole rod ratio thing is overated. Just look at the 428cj according to the experts it has a poor rod ratio, go fiqure!!!!

 

[allcarfan]

MOST 347 kits have solved the infamous oil ring problem nowadays.