351w Build?

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
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Four Oaks NC
i have an 88 GT i am building for a street/strip car. the car already has a 12 pt cage and full tubular suspension. it will not be a DD at all and might be driven 500-1000 miles a year on the street.

i picked up a complete 74 351W and am considering building a decent 408 using a set of 205 Brodix CNC heads. it will be a carbed motor and i plan on spraying 200 or so on it for the track. would a cast crank be good enough for this to hold up for a reasonable amount of time? i was planning on an eagle cast crank, eagle H beams and bullet pistons. still up in the air about a main girdle or not.

if anyone has some recommendations one what route would be best for this build please chime in. i am coming from a couple of 600-750 hp mod motor cars and i'm not too familiar with the push rod stuff yet
 
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couple pics of the newest ride

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i'm sure you have seen it there. this was Taylor's (the guy at the sales counter) car for the past 10 years. he bought both my 01 and my 11 GT from me
I thought so! I was up there a few times last winter/spring, my buddy was getting work done on his '05, cams, shifter, full exhaust, intake, ect.
 
I would say to go ahead and grab a forged crank for it, just to be sure that it will hold together. Snap your crank and say goodbye to your block and it will probably take out a few of your expensive rods with it also. I always think that you can't have too much strength, and yes, a cast crank might hold up for a little while, but it isn't worth gambling on one weak link in the lower end. Hope everything comes together well for you! BTW, what track do you run at, or are planning on running at?
 
Stock 74 Windsor heads won't do you any good of course, but don't scrap them, they are among the best factory heads made by Ford for the small block. Someone might want them for a 302 build. Depending on condition, you could turn them for anywhere from $25 to $100 a pair.

That block is not known for weakness. The girdle might be warranted over 600 hp, just for insurance.
Don't know what to tell you on the crank. The 408w is a good engine though.