Realistic cost expectations for 351W

[Grand Marquis GT]

Wow, that's an unusual, but COOL sounding setup!

[87DeuceVic]

I would say....ehhh.....$2000-$6000....around there

[Pirate]

Are the 400 Ford rods the "long rod" concept that caused a big war here some time ago?

Yessirree, Bob, the very same connecting rod saga. I think I was involved in it. Works great for limited induction setups, not so great with giant heads.

[Nathan in MI]

I assume that's why you specified the AFR 165s rather than 185s or something larger like that? And, may I ask what the rod length has to do with induction area?

And I'm pretty sure you were involved in it...you were one of the two major parties! lol

[Mercmarquis]

Mine blew my budget right out the window, I'm almost over 3 grand in the motor. I did get some nasty deals on machine work and the heads tho. So all told mine should be closer to 5 grand but I shop around pretty well. Mine isnt gonna be very street oriented tho. It shouldnt be real bad but I want a nasty motor for the strip. I also built my car for what I'm gonna be doing down the road.

[Pirate]

Concerning rod length: You don't need as much cam or induction with the longer rods. It doesn't pull as much air into the motor due to the pistons staying at TDC...however, The piston hangs at top-dead-center longer, taking further advantage of the power stroke. In addition, less side-loading.

As you install larger heads, whatever gains you might have had goes away.

[phayzer5]

5-10k start to finish, less with used/good deal parts...also depending on who builds it

[LtMercDaddy]

Ok so people say between 2-10k. thats very interresting. I wonder how long that 10K 351w would last. shit for 10k it better be stroked and ready for some blow too. not to mention that SOB better last 10yrs too..

I have been doing some research on the 351w builds myself. primarly just browsing on ebay and yahoo and such. i know that for 10K i can get a turn key EFI 450+hp pump gas 351w delivered to my door without ever getting dirty.

it all depends on how involved you wanna be in ur build. not to mention what ur replacing with this 351w. if ur doing a 302-351 conversion, theres some little things u just cant get anywhere that may place some added unseen cost to ur budget. I assume for around 2500-4500 a decent 450hp carbed or efi 351w could be brought to life.

I honestly think that after reading some of the horror stories about engines and machine shops, I think I'll just have a complete re-freshened shortblock sent to the door. since they garentee thier work, and its built to factory spec ill be checkin tolorances.

just my

[Lincolnmania]

393 stroker shortblock......about 2 grand assembled
expect to pay at least a grand for a set of performance aftermarket heads
canton oil pan $250 me thinks
intake 200 bucks
carb 300-600 bucks
cam 75-400 bucks
lifters 50-100 bucks
3 row radiator and new hoses 225 bucks
motor mounts 50 bucks
msd 200 and up
plugs wires cap rotor 100 bucks
labor at least a grand

[packman]

Concerning rod length: You don't need as much cam or induction with the longer rods. It doesn't pull as much air into the motor due to the pistons staying at TDC...however, The piston hangs at top-dead-center longer, taking further advantage of the power stroke. In addition, less side-loading.

As you install larger heads, whatever gains you might have had goes away.

Wouldn't that increase accelaration by increasing the rod length and keeping the stock stroke? Though I would imagine that you would have to get a shorter (in height from top of piston to piston skirt) piston to pull that off.

Packman

[Grand Marquis GT]

393 stroker shortblock......about 2 grand assembled
expect to pay at least a grand for a set of performance aftermarket heads
canton oil pan $250 me thinks
intake 200 bucks
carb 300-600 bucks
cam 75-400 bucks
lifters 50-100 bucks
3 row radiator and new hoses 225 bucks
motor mounts 50 bucks
msd 200 and up
plugs wires cap rotor 100 bucks
labor at least a grand

Don't forget headers and exhaust!!

[Lincolnmania]

add another 600-1000 bucks then

[Pirate]

Wouldn't that increase accelaration by increasing the rod length and keeping the stock stroke? Though I would imagine that you would have to get a shorter (in height from top of piston to piston skirt) piston to pull that off.

Packman

Piston speed slows down, actually. Rings last longer, and due to less side loading, the piston lasts longer. Long-rod motors last longer than their short-rod counterparts, due to less stress on the rotating assembly. One customer of mine who built a long-rod 306 (he built the bottom end like I instructed, ignored my advice and went huge on the cam, intake and heads)...the engine ran good (wrong top end package, and an AOD with 3.08 gears), but the major note was that I have never driven a smoother 302. Yes, it was balanced, but it was like the engine was out of the car.
I can't remember what the piston speed of this combo is (3000fpm?), but from what I remember, some IHRA Por-Stock 814 CI engines were pushing somewhere around the 8000-9000 fpm (feet per minute) stage...

Yes, you have to get a piston with a shorter skirt. KB makes two, one for 69-71 351W's (9.480 deck height) and 72-up 351w's (9.503), and Wiseco also makes/made one that can be altered a bit for various compression ratios.