331 Bottom End

[LAFENATU]

No problems with 347 motors. I ran a 347 in my car for 3-years with no problems, and it even had the oil control ring intersecting the wrist pin. They provide support rails for the ring, and when installed properly, will perform with no problems. Many years ago, the 347 was known for using oil primarily because the oil ring was not properly supported and most people ran low-tension oil rings; which is a bad idea for a street car. Run standard tension rings and use the support rails and you will not have any problems. No Internet hear-say from here, because I have 3-years experience with an engine I assembled myself. I know it works. Hope this helps!!

I absolutely agree.

The issues with the 347 were solved a LONG time ago. 347 is a great motor.

 

[snakebit95]

I guess it depends on what the future holds for the little motor. If you plan to spray it or strap a supercharger on it, the stock stroke 351W is a much better alternative because of the much stronger block. I have seen plenty of stock stroke Windsor motors that would kick the crap out of a 347; but using the right parts is the key. The Windsor block has larger mains, main fasteners, head fasteners, e.t.c. It is a much better foundation to build on if using a stock block. Aftermarket blocks are a different story. If you are going to keep it naturally aspirated, the 302 based block is fine; even with a 347 kit in it and will not lighten the wallet like the Windsor build will. I have been there, done that. I started with a H/C/I 302, then wanted more. Built a high reving 306 H/C/I. Then built a Mexican block 347 because I wanted even more. Then I started to worry about the block and whether is was going to fail on me with more power and more RPM's. Now I am at a Dart 438W which is almost finished and have a foundation that I can really build on and not worry about the block. Everybody can make an argument for each setup, so it really comes down to what you expect from it in the future and how much money you are willing to spend.

I would like to know what the set ups were on that stock 351 vs the 347s it beat

I have seen plenty of combos at the local track. A quick look on YouTube yielded this mild combo: TW heads, small custom cam, Stealth intake, and 750DP. Can't get much simpler than that. Runs 11.40's without breaking the bank.

Rich's 357w

I had bigger heads and intake on my 347, and I was barely running those numbers; albeit in a much heavier car though. Having the right parts is the key. Most people find themselves unhappy with the 351W combos because they put 302 sized parts on them. Hope this helps.

 

[94 Sn-95GT]

I guess it depends on what the future holds for the little motor. If you plan to spray it or strap a supercharger on it, the stock stroke 351W is a much better alternative because of the much stronger block. I have seen plenty of stock stroke Windsor motors that would kick the crap out of a 347; but using the right parts is the key. The Windsor block has larger mains, main fasteners, head fasteners, e.t.c. It is a much better foundation to build on if using a stock block. Aftermarket blocks are a different story. If you are going to keep it naturally aspirated, the 302 based block is fine; even with a 347 kit in it and will not lighten the wallet like the Windsor build will. I have been there, done that. I started with a H/C/I 302, then wanted more. Built a high reving 306 H/C/I. Then built a Mexican block 347 because I wanted even more. Then I started to worry about the block and whether is was going to fail on me with more power and more RPM's. Now I am at a Dart 438W which is almost finished and have a foundation that I can really build on and not worry about the block. Everybody can make an argument for each setup, so it really comes down to what you expect from it in the future and how much money you are willing to spend.

I would like to know what the set ups were on that stock 351 vs the 347s it beat

I have seen plenty of combos at the local track. A quick look on YouTube yielded this mild combo: TW heads, small custom cam, Stealth intake, and 750DP. Can't get much simpler than that. Runs 11.40's without breaking the bank.

Rich's 357w

I had bigger heads and intake on my 347, and I was barely running those numbers; albeit in a much heavier car though. Having the right parts is the key. Most people find themselves unhappy with the 351W combos because they put 302 sized parts on them. Hope this helps.

What cam?

And there is more to it than just heads cam and intake. Its how the car is set up.

So your telling me that if you put a 347 set up with the right heads intake (carb efi what ever) and then did the same to the 351 and put it in the same car that the 351 would be fasteR?

 

[snakebit95]

What cam?

And there is more to it than just heads cam and intake. Its how the car is set up.

So your telling me that if you put a 347 set up with the right heads intake (carb efi what ever) and then did the same to the 351 and put it in the same car that the 351 would be fasteR?
[/quote]

I am not trying to turn the OP's thread into a 351 versus 347 is faster debate. My point was that a stock stroke Windsor can run just as good or better than a 347 if the right parts are used. Never did I say that the 351 will always win over a 347. The 351 is simply a better platform to build from if you plan to use a stock block to make some serioius power in the future. If you really want to get into the details, any 347 will require an aftermarket crank. What would happen if I used an aftermarket stock stroke Windsor crank that has been cut down to Cleveland size mains and 2.1" rod journals and used crank spacers in the block (seen it done a few times)? Now we have a crank that is as light as or lighter than the 347 crank. You have more stroke and a lighter rotating assembly in a stock stroked Windsor package. Oh yea, the 302 block is bored .030, so we need to do the same for the Windsor. Now we have a 357W versus a 347. To make it easier, the aftermarket companies already offer a block with mains sized to accept this type of crank configuration. Hope this helps in some way.

 

[duff daddy]

just a side note kar kraft is going out of business, you may want to see what they still have (if anything ) for your set up ....

 

[LAFENATU]

Snakebit95...

Ed Curtis has done that a few times with great success.

 

[snakebit95]

Snakebit95...

Ed Curtis has done that a few times with great success.

Yeah, it is pretty common for people who are on a budget and do not have the cash to drop on an aftermarket block. I was planning to do it on a 418W until I ran into a smoking deal on a big-bore Dart block with the small mains. There are some good deals out there on used stuff right now.

 

[LAFENATU]

Ed emailed this to me when I asked him about it..

"I built a few 358 inch small block Ford stroker engines with reground, cast iron 351C (3.48 stroke) cranks from CHP and their H beam 5.500 rods. All in stock blocks. Shifting at 6000 RPM and they'll run forever!"