351 roller cam question

[BlkoutGT]

So over the winter (while my car isnt running) I had the brainstorm of doing a 351 swap in my car. Im on a budget so thats why im
not building a 408 stroker or anything crazy like that (but wish i could). I was just wondering if anyone knows what exactly it takes
to convert a early 351 block (non-roller) to a rollerized version. Or should I just wait to find a deal on a 351 roller block? thanks for
any info! I havnt been able to find clear awnsers

 

[Jrgunn5150]

You can use a reduced base circle cam and conversion lifters.

 

[BlkoutGT]

what kind of price would that be for both? cause I can get a good deal on a 74 351 block, its all clean, .30 over, bearing and plugs
its basically ready to go. or should I just find a roller block and start from there?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

what kind of price would that be for both? cause I can get a good deal on a 74 351 block, its all clean, .30 over, bearing and plugs
its basically ready to go. or should I just find a roller block and start from there?

a 74 block is like the worst of both worlds. Non-roller, and not as strong as the early blocks. I personally don't use squat used, everything is a core to me.

Anyhow, you can score a complete running 351w for 500 bucks all day long, so why not just get a newer, running, roller block?

 

[BlkoutGT]

Ya I would prefer to do that, its just I could brobably get that block for like 200-250, and its been bored and cleaned already, those
are the pluses. Its the best deal I could find as of the moment, im sure if I wait on it a little bit something else will show. Plus I wanted
to know just incase february-march comes around and I havnt found anything

 

[Paul]

It's not really worth it to do the Windsor swap "on a budget." You're better of building your 302 motor instead. It will be more power-per-dollar. Trust me, I've done a Windsor swap.

Paul.

 

[BlkoutGT]

I thought it would be cool to mess with 351 for a while. My ultimate goal will be a boss block 347 with kenne bell. So should I just
bore and stroke my block to a 347 or continue to look for a cheap 351. Either way Im gonna use my gt40x heads and intake. wich
one would yeild better gains for less money?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Your GT40x heads and intake )lower won't work on a 347) suck on both a 347 and a 351.

If you're going to throw 2k at a Boss block, why wouldn't you just take the cubes of a 351 now?

 

[BlkoutGT]

well i probably wont be able to get a boss block for a while. why wouldnt the lower work a 347? I figured if the 95 cobra r made 300
hp with a 351 and gt40 heads, with my aluminum heads and maybe a little more compression or possibly .30 over I would be some
where between 300-350. But since I wouldnt be stroking the 351 would it really be worth it for 10 extra cubes? maybe for torque
production

 

[Paul]

If you have the money for a Boss block 347 with a KB, then you're not doing a "budget" build.

If you're on a budget, do a 302-based motor. It's not really worth doing the Windsor swap unless you're going for big cubes, big power, and big money. IMHO.

Paul.

 

[BlkoutGT]

That makes alot of sense... And Ive always been a firm believer if you take apart a block, might as well go all the way. I think i just
got all hyped up on a 351. thanks for brining me back to earth :tongue3: anyways I wont have the money for a boss and kb for
quite some time, so Im just looking for somthing i can do now. How much should it cost to get a 302 bored .30 over and is there
other tricks that are cost effective but help in the long run, without getting to crazy

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Just save your money, do it once, alot cheaper that way.

BTW, I meant the lower wouldn't work on the 351, not the 347.

 

[BlkoutGT]

I thought thats what you meanty and actually I was going to buy a lightning lower off paul. So sorry man I guess i wont be needing it...lol,
Ive still got a little time to look for deals on a rotating assembly, or is it a bad idea to buy a used assembly?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Buying a used rotating assembly is like buying anything else used, you can either get a smoking deal or just get smoked, lol.

Eagle/scat stuff is cheap enough new that you won't save too much buying used anyway. You can get a complete 347 kit for 900 bucks shipped to your door.

 

[BlkoutGT]

hmm... I will look into it after I get my heads all squared away(spark plug decided to weld itself ..lol), I was just waiting for after
the 1st of the year