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Topic: 331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!! (Read 8880 times) previous topic - next topic

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

After many years collecting parts I finally started building my engine it s a 331 stroker. At first my luck was in the per my fist block was cracked in the motor mounts, second was .060 over (already had .030 pistons) and was a non roller cam block but after searching i found a mustang block for $50 and then it started.

Im an auto student at Morrisville State College and signed up for my engines II class we have a brand new sunnen honing machine and it was put to good use.

my fist step was to pull all freeze plugs and cam bearings, as you can tell it had sat for a little and was full of antifreeze and rust chips but most came out. X
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
'88 cougar 331 supercharged build in progress
'95 Blazer solid axle swapped 4X4- daily driver

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #1
more cleaning...X
and my new MAC tools engine stand 1250lbs for $84 (student discout LOL)X
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
'88 cougar 331 supercharged build in progress
'95 Blazer solid axle swapped 4X4- daily driver

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #2
go short rod 347. no point in not if you don't already have all the parts.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #3
The 347 you have to notch the block for rod clearance. Most of the local engine shops here recommend 331 if you are going to boost it. I am doing a 331 myself right now. How are you gonna clean and prep the block, what machining you got planned?

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #4
if you acess to free machining equipment, what's the difference?

parts cost the same and  you get more power sooner. cubic inches is always a good.thing.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #5
I had to notch my block for my 331. I would of went 347 but I had plans for boost and didn't like the wrist pin and oil ring intersecting. As for notching the block you can buy a tool online for 20 bux and do it yourself like I did. Just need a grinding stone, the tool bolts to the mains so you can't screw it up.


Also if your looking through my album and wondering why the block is unpainted till the very end, it was 10 degrees in the garage when I built the motor. Yes it sucked lol.
88 Turbocoupe: Coast High Performance 331 kit 28oz balance, Comp XE264HR14 cam, 58cc 185 afr heads, 1.7 roller rockers, Mass-Flo EFI (was POS to setup and their techline is a joke at best)
Full 1 5/8 primary equal length headers, 2 1/2 exhaust, Full manual reverse VB c4 and baked off clear coat "BECAUSE RACECAR"

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #6
Forged or cast crank? Nice choice in heads by the way:)

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #7
Will second the cylinder wall notching on a 331 even though some guys get lucky I did not:



Good luck on the build and keep the pics coming!  If you can post up some pics of the block getting machined that would be pretty cool.

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #8
Its the rod choice that determines if you have to notch right? H beam vs I beam, figure we get this out there for OP to pick.
(If you were asking if my crank was forged then yes, I went all forged goodies :D)
88 Turbocoupe: Coast High Performance 331 kit 28oz balance, Comp XE264HR14 cam, 58cc 185 afr heads, 1.7 roller rockers, Mass-Flo EFI (was POS to setup and their techline is a joke at best)
Full 1 5/8 primary equal length headers, 2 1/2 exhaust, Full manual reverse VB c4 and baked off clear coat "BECAUSE RACECAR"

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #9
Haha thanks for your input guys. I went for the 331 cause I got it cheap it's all forged per my boosted application the rods are eagle 5.400 h beam rods and forged eagle 3.250 stroke

More pics will be uploaded tonight, just finished machining and now gotta notch it
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
'88 cougar 331 supercharged build in progress
'95 Blazer solid axle swapped 4X4- daily driver

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #10
machining pics
XXX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
'88 cougar 331 supercharged build in progress
'95 Blazer solid axle swapped 4X4- daily driver

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #11
final finish on two cylindersX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
'88 cougar 331 supercharged build in progress
'95 Blazer solid axle swapped 4X4- daily driver

 

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #12
gonna zero deck it?
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #13
Nice work, OP.

I wouldn't let the oil ring/pin issues of some of the 347 kits deter you, there are a few that don't have the issue. But anyway, if you've already got the parts you're using, that's not very relevant.

I'd love to put a 331 together, or a 347, and hell, if it's ME that's doing the wishful thinking, I'd simply start with a Windsor block, and end up in the 390ci area,...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

331 stroker build in the making CAUTION BIG PICS!!!

Reply #14
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;413413
.......I'd simply start with a Windsor block, and end up in the 390ci area,...

Didn't do this with my T-bird but DID do it with my Ranger.  It's had a 351W in it for 15yrs.  Going to yank it today to drop in a 387W built on a Lightning block!!
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.