Best block for Daily Driver?

RawCobra · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 05:19 PM

I'll be taking the big step soon, and would love some input. I'm wondering what block is best suited for daily driving. I live in Florida now, but will be moving to Arizona soon. Both hot climes - just in different ways.

I anticipate using the beast at least 7 - 8 months of the year as a daily driver. (AZ Summers may be too much, even WITH a/c.) It would have to tolerate rush hour traffic. I don't anticipate any track time - not my bag - just for street. I'm leaning toward a 351 windsor with the full oil cooler setup.

Anyone out there have suggestions?

f4steri · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 05:35 PM

Hal Copple (a frequent post-er to this forum) has over 60,000 miles on his 351W daily driver!! He lives in SC! Also a very warm climate.
Frank SPF # 725

CSX 4039 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 05:39 PM

My guess would be a new 302 fuel injected more for the reliability and parts than anything else. Got plenty of punch for the occasional chirp and tire patch, especially with a 5 speed. Then paint it red- they look faster!

RawCobra · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 06:55 PM

Frank - I'm well aware of Hal's high-mileage Stroker, but not clear if he does much rush hour driving. Unfortunately, we don't have the benefit of his wisdom and insight anymore.

Brett - I've thought about the 302, but am concerned that it may be a little too tame. I'd like it to tolerate rush-hour driving, not necessarily enjoy it, but still have serious guts. Side note: if red makes 'em look faster, does that mean you wanted yours to look slower? (judging by your gallery - and tongue planted firmly in cheek)

Jack21 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 07:04 PM

Daily driver? 351W or stroker such as 393W gets my vote. Cobras then, and now are notorious for overheating. But not with these Windsor motors.

You don't need an oil cooler, but a good baffled 8 or 9 qt pan such as Canton road race provides plenty of oil, and keeps it in the oil pickup. I use Castrol Syntec, but any synthetic gives good high temp protection.

351W motors very tolerant of high ambient temps for street use but cooling system needs first rate parts. Spend the money here for better than OEM components. Big, heavy duty, aluminum radiator; hi vol water pump, street rod ratio pulleys, healthy electric fan. Can run 180 deg thermostat year round. Once the car is going over about 30 MPH, there is enough airflow through the radiator so the fan doesn't come on at all.

Ceramic coat your exhaust system inside and out at least headers, and "J" pipes back to the mufflers if you can get to them.

Second summer in DC rush hour traffic (95+) plus road trips and events and absolutely no hot running or overheating problems.

Bill E · #6 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 08:18 PM

If you are going to run in AZ a large nonstandard Oil cooler is a must BB or SB. We have run a 504,s with AC in parade in a 110 degrees whit the engine at 209 degrees. and this engine is over 600HP You must have adiqit oil cooling no mater what you run in hot whether. A bigger oil sump just means you have moor oil to cool. a bigger radiator is no good if the fan cannot pull enough CFM to utilize it.

CSX 4039 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RawCobra

[b]Frank - I'm well aware of Hal's high-mileage Stroker, but not clear if he does much rush hour driving. Unfortunately, we don't have the benefit of his wisdom and insight anymore.

]

Why no insight from Hal??

RawCobra · #8 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 08:33 PM

Jack & Bill - thanks! that's the kinda input I was hoping for.

Brett - are you yanking my chain, or have you been hiding under a rock the last 5 days? See "Hal Traps the Turbo Porsche !!" if it's the latter. (No, don't get the wrong idea, he's not dead)

KobraKarl · #9 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 08:36 PM

Brett,

The kids were gettin on his nerve ....I think he just went out back to look up at the stars and have a smoke......I'm thinkin he might come back after he cools off..........or maybe he'll have to go for a drive first.....

KK

KobraKarl · #10 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 08:40 PM

RC......oops almost forgot

get the 351, and cool it every way you can

KK

RawCobra · #11 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 08:56 PM

OK, am I pushing my luck if I have it stroked to 396 and tweaked a little? I only ask 'cause my old man has the same setup in his SPF (sans functioning oil cooler). He's let me drive it a couple times. Woof!

BANDIT 1 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 10:00 PM

460 big block, built right it is VERY dependable.

SFfiredog · #13 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 10:24 PM

whatever your engine choice I would recomend a quality oil thermostat be plumbed in to your oil cooler system. Many a engine has spun a bearing due to cold engine oil and tight clearances. In the supplied photo the oil thermostat is in the upper right corner. The engine is a 514ci 429 SCJ.
HTH,
--Mike

G.R. · #14 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 11:30 PM

I have a mild ,stroked 392 crate, in my SPF I rarely vary more than ten degrees, even in stop-n-go traffic, usually sit about 180--the oil cooler is plumbed in and working--if I did it over again I'd run a FI setup instead of a carb--but I like FI