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Ford 532 stroker

9K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  Jared 
#1 ·
Im looking into stroker ideas for my 385 series engines and someday i want to get some more inches out of the 2 429s i have i was looking into the options i have and it seems most share the 4.3 in stroke so any way i go the rod ratio seems to come out to 1.58 which doesnt thrill me but its livable i guess. should i start out with a smaller bore stroker set up incase i need to bore it then i could just get pistons from a larger stroker with the same stroke? or should i just find one with a shorter throw crank so i have a better ratio? how would a ratio like that feel? does any one have a stroker like this or an engine with a ratio like this? im thinking 10:1 compression forged pistons, h beam rods, c9ve heads with port work and large valves and a bigger cam. looking for a hi torque engine for my bronco. thanks for the help.
 
#3 · (Edited)
stroker motor

As for rod/stroke angularity, a 1.58 ratio isnt bad at all, since the desired is at least 1.5:1. Consider the Big Block Chevies which have rod stroke ratios somewhere around 1.48 or so, stock, less than the supposed magical 1.5. You have nothing to fear with a 1.58 ratio.
I dont recommend boring your block anymore than you absolutely have to, and I am sure that there are stroker kits that accomodate your stock bore, if your cylinders are in that good of shape. At any rate, the most you can safely go is .060" overbore.
If just getting more cubes is your thing, and you arent concerned about building Godzilla blocks, you might just consider dropping a 460 cranks, rods, and pistons in your 429's. The 460's have a rod/stroke ratio somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.7:1 or higher.
Unless you are planning to do some serious mudbogging or pulling with your Bronco, I think you will find that the 460, itself will have more than adiquate torque to rip the tread off your tires.
With the C-9 heads etc, you will be wanting to build a stump puller anyway, rather than a high revving engine.
 
#5 ·
I do have a 460 (and 2 429s for that matter) and while i do think it would have quite a bit of power with the c9's i have compared to the d3's its running id rather buy a new setup for the price they want for 385 parts. The way im seeing it I need new pistons to get away from the stock cast ones and the crank may need to be ground/polished etc plus all bearings, resizing the rods etc I might as well spend 3 grand and know exactly what i have. I do like the way the 429 revs and it works great for keeping my wheel speed when im in deep snow but Id like to build something bigger and different. At this point im just looking into my options, though so far the 501 looks the best for the rod ratio and stroke. How good is piston availability for the stroke? If i ever want to overbore would i find a piston made for that bore and stroke fairly easily? thanks
 
#6 ·
have an idea

you really want tha FORD to move down the road instead of sitting on the side of it :D ?

well this is what you do

drop a sbc 400 in it

guranteed it will move then.just hope the body parts don't blow off of it as your burning out down the road :D

J :thumbup:
 
#7 ·
Very possible

Hi,
I would recommend checking this forum and asking for help.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/85220

It is arguably the most informative set of guys on the whole internet about the 385-series Ford motors. They will help you out.

Don't let Chevy guys tell you a ford will blow up. One guy on the forum has an UN-REBUILT 460 with 464K on it. I personally have owned Fords, Chevy's and Mopars and none is better than the other.

If you shop around you can build a BBF for just as cheap as your average small block.

Generally, nothing against the folks on this board, but most of the time are Ford-haters and useless for most tech info.

About your original question, yes you can find off-the shelf stroker kits for a 429/460 for $1100+ depending on what componentry you want. They make great truck motors and pump out more torque than any small block ever could. Basic canted valve head design is excellent too.

For heads, try and find a set of DOVE-C's. They are the best combination of chamber size, flow, and performance for the money. Also benefit well from home porting.

Cheers,
Andy
 
#8 ·
If you shop around you can build a BBF for just as cheap as your average small block.
i hope your talking about sbf, now you want to talk about useless info from "ford haters" you should (reverse that) ?.

chevy has always been cheaper dollar for dollar

and yes i'm a chevy lover, but that dosn't mean i hate ford :cool: i just don't like 'em :D
infact everybody should have one or two in there yard so the pigeons would have something to sit on :thumbup:

nothing personal Jared, I'm just busting your guy'ses balls

good luck

J
 
#9 ·
We run a 525 BBF with a 4.5 bore, 4.125 stroke and a 1.5 rod ratio in NMCA Extreme Street. If it works fine to the tune of low 8's shifting at 7500 RPM.

Your just fine and you will enjoy the power. If you can find a set of used Blue Thunder heads that would be a nice upgrade for you. Much better than stock and when fully flogged on the bench will flow 393 CFM on the intakes. A used set of Cobra Jet heads would be a nice upgrade as well.
 
#10 ·
385 series

I would never buy std bore pistons. where will you find another std bore block if something goes wrong. and the myth that you can only bore.060 on a 385 series. I ran a .060 with a stroker crank and had no problems. when that block cracked in the main webs I had pistons that would fit another block. just a thought.
 
#11 ·
Just a kiddin'

No hard feelings for the Chevy/Ford camps, OK? Just like to poke a little fun, I'm just jealous of cheap Chevy parts compared to my pricey Ford and Olds crap :~)

Anyways, I agree with RickWI. He knows what he is talking about, and both the CJ and Blue thunder heads flow awesome as well as dumping some serious weight. You need almost all the head you can get with 532 cubes.

RickWI, I see you are located in Madison, WI, same as myself. I'll be heading to the GLD this spring to wring out my '78 Mont and '72 442. If ya ever want to chat engines or catch a couple beers just toss me an email at aclook@wisc.edu and I'll get your contact info.

Cheers,
Andy
 
#12 ·
Hey Andy, small world. If your from Madison then you know Dave Meister. If not Dave then you know the car I suspect, 70 Torino in primer that used to hang on East Wash until this last engine went in?

I'd love to run an GL but I can't get through tech due to no cage, I'd make one run and they'ed boot me off. I go down to Byron for that reason. One of these weeks though I want to go to GL on Thursday night for grudge night and make some coin. they turn the timing lights off so everything is legit. It's supposed to be a hoot.

you'll have to stop by the shop sometime after work and check things out. We are on 151 betwen Columbus and Sun Prarie on Hwy V. Same exit as Columbus Speedway. We're right on the corner there, JRC Enterprises. Dave is the engine assembler and would love to have another Ford friend to talk with. He's always surrounded by us Chevy guys.

if your going on Power Tour your more than welcome to tag with us. We are going as far down as Nashville and then turning back. Unless we blow up prior to that point. Should be a fantastic tour this year. We are leaving for Milwaukee Saturday from the shop. Dave was going to go as well with his Mustang but has an NMCA race that weekend.

By your email you must work at the U?

I'll stay in touch.
 
#13 ·
While I am normaly a chevy guy Im a fan of the 385 series ford. I like to know as much as I can about ford and chevy engines and from what I can tell the bbf seem to have an advantage over the bbc. I have heard way too many stories about bbc having weak bottom ends, that and my friends seem to call me to come pull them out when their blazers and chevy pickups get stuck. My bronco seems to hold its own with no drivetrain mods so far and only a 429 and matching c6 throwin in. Now since I blew up the c6 Im goning with an NP 435 to a NP205 with a ford 9 in the rear and hopefully by summer next year a solid front axle in the front. So far I have a basicly stock 73 429 with a comp cams extreme 4x4 cam and a weiand stealth intake with a holley 750 vac secondary carb. Since I was going thru chassis fab here at wyotech I decided to do something usefull with a spare set of D3VE heads and ported them . I picked up around 20 cfm on the exh side and I am thinking of putting them on my 429 im running now. I also have a set of C9ve heads but with the cam I have I think that would up my compression too much. I picked up a later 70's 460 distributor so I could get rid of points etc and Now im just thinking of what I could do to get more power. thanks for the input.
 
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