aasukisuki
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2010
- Messages
- 103
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Central Iowa
- My Car
- 1973 Mustang Converible
Hey Everyone,
It was unseasonably warm last weekend, so I had a chance to back the mustang out and let it run for a while. Long story short, the car needs a major tune up, and I need to start thinking about rebuilding/replacing the current engine soon.
The car isn't special in terms of rarity, so I'm not opposed to replacing the tired 302 that's in it now. My thoughts are to find a used 351w block and build an engine. Here's my problem: I've never built an engine before.
I've done some basic stuff before (replaced carburetors, throttle bodies, valve covers, etc) but I've never removed a piston, or even taken the heads off of an engine.
I have a couple really good articles published in various magazines for doing some basic tear-down and rebuilds. I also have a book on building small block ford engines. These are all great for theoretical purposes, but really getting in there is a completely different animal.
So here are my questions I'm hoping you guys can help me with: I would really like to build a reliable mild stroker, I'm thinking the 396 variety. I would need to find a machine shop here in central Iowa to prepare the block, but after that, do you think it's too much of a chore for a 1st time engine builder to tackle a stroker build? I'd like to keep the build between $2000-3000. Is realistic for a build like this? Are there parts or brands that you can recommend? How about tools -- What should I buy vs. renting when I need them?
Any and all advice you guys have for me is great. This will really be a project I'd be tackling by myself, as none of my friends are really into cars (although I'm sure I could get their help for some manual labor stuff).
It was unseasonably warm last weekend, so I had a chance to back the mustang out and let it run for a while. Long story short, the car needs a major tune up, and I need to start thinking about rebuilding/replacing the current engine soon.
The car isn't special in terms of rarity, so I'm not opposed to replacing the tired 302 that's in it now. My thoughts are to find a used 351w block and build an engine. Here's my problem: I've never built an engine before.
I've done some basic stuff before (replaced carburetors, throttle bodies, valve covers, etc) but I've never removed a piston, or even taken the heads off of an engine.
I have a couple really good articles published in various magazines for doing some basic tear-down and rebuilds. I also have a book on building small block ford engines. These are all great for theoretical purposes, but really getting in there is a completely different animal.
So here are my questions I'm hoping you guys can help me with: I would really like to build a reliable mild stroker, I'm thinking the 396 variety. I would need to find a machine shop here in central Iowa to prepare the block, but after that, do you think it's too much of a chore for a 1st time engine builder to tackle a stroker build? I'd like to keep the build between $2000-3000. Is realistic for a build like this? Are there parts or brands that you can recommend? How about tools -- What should I buy vs. renting when I need them?
Any and all advice you guys have for me is great. This will really be a project I'd be tackling by myself, as none of my friends are really into cars (although I'm sure I could get their help for some manual labor stuff).
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