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which is the best FORD engine???

5K views 31 replies 18 participants last post by  blown69stang 
#1 ·
i am trying to get a pre 70's ranchero
for a project.
i want alot of power for pure street racing and the occasional strip performer. im lookin for about 400+ HP. this will only be a weekend racer with a 4 on the floor baby!!

i was thinking about a 302 but that would be kinda small compared to what the chevy boys are running(although the stangs seem to do pretty well with a 302), so i was thinking about a 351C.

should i try cramming a BB in this thing?

if i get one with the little 6cyl, how easy will it be to swap in the v8?

does anybody have any clue to what a pre 70's ranchero weights?

THANKS everyone
 
#2 ·
Well that's a lot of questions in one shot and I'm sure their will be many opinions. 4 Jaw Chuck says something like, I like them all, some more than others, cars and girls that is. Well add engines in their and that's kinda where I stand. Any engine can be built to a killer, some easier than others. If you're thinking small block I've always liked the Windsors. But a 390 big block in a Ranchero wouldn't be so bad either. As far as you stating a 302 seems kind of small what do you think would win a race between a blown 600hp 302 and a 4-barrel 350hp 350 engine. Just because you have less cubic inches doesn't mean you can't build power. Look at what some of the 4 cylinder race engines are putting out. The 302 is probably about the easiest to get parts for the swap, if you go small block. No matter what you go with you can make 400hp out of it. I've had a lot of fun with big blocks and small blocks as well.
 
#3 ·
My opinion is if I was to build a ford it would be a 460 it dont take much to get these creatures to go.but the small block 302 is not a bad choice either.( wrenchturner )as far as 6 to V8,engine mounts,coil springs,radiator.good luck its all good.( wrenchturner ) :cool:

[ May 04, 2002: Message edited by: wrenchturner ]</p>
 
#4 ·
Awww man, you don't ask the easy questions do you. Well I have a certain fondness for some Ford powerplants, here are the engines and why I like them.

-2.0 Litre Kent, A friend of mine had one of these in a Ford Cortina that was tuned to almost 275 HP. Redline was 8500 and would spin to 9000 if you weren't careful, no wonder they were used in SCCA racing for their bulletproof reputation.

-2.8 Litre V6, these were intially installed in the mid seventies Capri's and featured solid lifter cams and could be had with 4 bbl carbs, easily turning 7000 rpm with forged cranks and heavy duty rods, they didn't become popular here because of the german design but were highly revered overseas where they were raced quite successfully. Very narrow 60 degree design fits just about anywhere and they were used in the mid eighties Bronco II and later converted to hydraulic lifter in the 2.9 litre. These later engines had very poor head design for emission purposes. Very light and compact engines for the displacement.

-289 Windsor, truly the little engine that could with it's extreme oversquare bore/stroke ratio. For some reason people discount them because they are under 300 cubes (but not by much).

-302 Boss, bulletproof bottom end, huge ports and an exhaust sound that no small engine should be allowed to have. If you ever get the chance to take a ride in one with the shifts happening at 7500 your hair will stand on end. Thank the Cleveland heads for the sound.

-351C Boss or SCJ, a bigger 302 Boss only slightly heavier with that same sound. Completely different block mind you.

-427 FE Medium riser or high riser, I had a medium riser in a 68 Galaxy and although they are as heavy as lead they are torque monsters. Cross bolted mains are coooool.

-428 CJ, A better 427. I think one of the best street engines Ford ever built.

-429 SCJ or CJ, I have always wanted one of these. The Ford Hemi. The SCJ has the coolest valve covers I have ever seen.

-460, one of the least built up Ford engines out there and one of the least appreciated. Keep them under 5000 rpm because of the weaker rods compared to the 429. There is no replacement for displacement and these make a great street engine because they are so light compared to most big blocks by other Mfg's.

Personally my favourite is the 351 C just for those huge ports and sound, I have always wanted a 8000rpm capable small block under my hood and maybe one day I'll be able to afford one.
 
#9 ·
Dmorris1200, as it says below my every post "I like-em all some more than others" lets just hope we don't get into a discussion about the female models that were produced in various displacements. :eek:
 
#12 ·
I am not just really fond of Ford stuff, but I would like to see those pictures. :D :D :D Good thread going here, I really enjoyed it. I think he ought to go with the 302 unless he just absolutly has to go big and then I would choose the 429. Now I am starting to sound like Chuck, but I kinda like a 351 windsor also, those can be built awsum.
 
#13 ·
I guess that would be the only exception to the rule of "there is no replacement for displacement". :p

David your right, I had a 351W in my old 69 Stang and it was a strong runner to. Mucho Torqueo. Except I blew three of them by by putting rods through the block/oil pan. I have two I saved for wall mounting so that I will remember to shift sooner, seems even the good 1969 rods don't handle 6700 rpm for long. The last engine pulled the pin right out of the piston (cast crap) and swung around inside the engine making a sound I won't soon forget before exiting stage left. Lesson learned, most Fords need aftermarket rods to handle big RPM. Oh well there was a fantastic fireball that I was told looked really cool! Had to clean my shorts afterwards though?! When I tore that engine down to see if there was anything salvageable the cam was untouched and in perfect condition, very odd.

Would everyone like to see a picture?
 
#14 ·
Chuck, I really don't have anything against Rords. I just am used to talking like I hate them, for the benefit of my son-in-law. He is a Ford service manager, so I beat on him all the time. I really like Fords and Chevys both, just don't want him to know it. Ha Ha I made him mad three years ago and bought a new Chevy truck, that really tore him up, now I am building a Ford model A coupe with all Chevrolet stuff, he can't stand it, Ha Ha. He even told me that all hot rods with Chevy engines and trans had a Ford rear end pushing them, I said no way and put in a Chevy 10 bolt. I have fun agravating him, that what son-in-laws are for isn't it. :D :D :D

[ May 04, 2002: Message edited by: Henry Highrise ]</p>
 
#15 ·
Well here for your enjoyment is Mr connecting rods, they slice they dice they pureé and will make short work of any engine block. Order yours today from any crying racer. :eek: :(



 
#16 ·
you will get more for your money and time building a 302 or 351w .they are the easiest to get go fast goodies for and easy to come by. i have a 351c in my 34 coupe,had a hard time finding headers to fit inside the frame.when i did some intake maintenance all the local parts stores all told me the same thing,we have to order the parts you want.we have just about everything for the 302 or 351w in stock. same thing for the other motor choices. however dont let this stop you if you dont mind waitng a week or so for the part you need. good luck with your project.
 
#18 ·
Yep JD, I was the proud father of three shelled 351W motors all done over approx. 7 months. I learned a valuble lesson, just because you can cam an engine to turn 7500 and put in strong enough valvesprings and port and pipe the engine to turn it-doesn't mean the engine can handle it. Next time I would spend extra cash and get me some of those Carillo's. OH and one last thing, those cheap factory cast pistons with the cast in steel skirt strengtheners-the rod on the right pulled the pin right out of one of those, I now believe in forged pistons for race engines wholeheartedly.
 
#19 ·
thanks for all the info guys!!!
hey chuck, i appreciate your list of engines and all the info you leave at all my post. i do try asking hard questions so i can put you guys to the test! ohh btw, i like those pics of those rods, mabe i should snap some pics of all the messed up **** thats in my autoshop class :eek:
 
#20 ·
Ahhhh...autoshop class, hallways full of various displacement engines all requiring cc'ing of their chambers and displacement measurement. Direct measurement being the most accurate and enjoyable method in my experience. Best to account for all your measurement fluid so as not to increase the displacement unnecessarily. :p :D

No Honey!, were talking about cars here?! :eek: :(
 
#22 ·
Well, if I had to pick a ford motor it would be the 351w. Great all around motor, it has lots of torque, good horsepower, and enough aftermarket parts to make you go crazy. You could use this engine for almost any application. The only downside i think is that they arent in as much of supply as the 302s.

I was always under the impression that the FE engines are WAAAAY heavy for their size. But, i read in a magazine that a fully dressed FE is about 100lbs lighter than a fully dressed 429/460. Whats more, an FE with aluminum heads and intake weighs less than a 351 with iron heads and intake. Does this sound right to any of you??? Was I mistaken or is the magazine wrong? If this is right, I'd say the FE is the way to go. Even though they're harder to find, they make TONS of low end torque. These also have many aftermarket parts available. though, of course not as much as the windsor. I head of this new company, Genesis Custom Manufacturing, that started making brand new alminum and iron FE blocks. 390, 427 side oiler, 428, 427 SOHC, you name it they make it. Now i think THAT would be the way to go. Think about it, an old ford ranchero, but when you pop the hood, an all aluminum 427 cammer?? That would be tiiiiiight. I have the phone number if anyone is interested
 
#24 ·
You guys all picked good motors,but for 2 grand
you can make a heckuva 406 ford by finding an
ol 400M,bore it .30 over(hence a 406),give it
a good standard 3 way valve job,the right cam,
an edelbrock performer manifold,and walla!
400 hp and gobs of torque.I am a glutten for punishment so I like the cleveland engines,
but get a 2-barrel 400 instead of a 4-barrel
cause the heads on the 4 barrel suck for anything
but top speed driving(which these babies ain't
made for)
 
#25 ·
hi guys and everyone wants to knough why i like this site all you guys have great input on the ford motors buttttttt i like the 351c overall it took a lot of punishment from me and my son i had one in my 73 mach1 stock with a 2bbl on it would shut a lot of 350s down i have a friend who has a ranchero with a 460 and he loves it but he has a racer with a 351c iv talked to chevy guys and they told me they would build a 460 if they could aford it but for me ill stay 351c even if it takes longer for parts because i like to race and have fun to the clevland has always been strong for me [gas&staying together]in my truck my son shut down a 5.0 mustang i feel it has a lot to do with the driver alwas rember thers always someone around the corner thats better be shure safty comes first may god bless gordon :p
 
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