So I was checking out Keith Craft's stroker kits and their short blocks and was thinking what would be the best route but I am unsure. I picked up a complete 351W yesterday for free (well, no distributor and accessories, but the rest is there) and I have a feeling that the short block might end up being a cheaper route then the stroker kit. Short block: The Short Block kits are balanced, blueprinted and assembled into a seasoned, fully prepped block with ARP main studs, cam bearings, freeze plugs, oil galley plugs with hydraulic roller camshaft, double roller timing set. All block work done 418-421ci Eagle steel crank, Eagle rods, JE, Diamond or Ross pistons, Plasma moly rings, Federal Mogul bearings. The short block is only $1300 (only, right) more then the stroker kit with the same components. So here is the question, knowing that the only thing of real value from the free motor is the core and will need to be bored and machined, would it be of better value to get the kit or the short block?
After doing the kit, if I had to do it again, I would do the shortblock. My bill at the machine shop was $1200.00, and I screwed around with mismatched parts for two months.
