What size Carbs for 471 stroker FE

[Barry_R]

Originally Posted by A98Coupe

My worst nightmare has been realised today! Just had a phone call from my engine builder who has completed his stripdown assessment and here's some of the worst points:
1) Block has been sleeved on No.7 cylinder and No.6 cylinder has twin grooves at the bottom of the bore, where a broken H-beal rod has hit it sometime in the chequered history of this block! Also, one of the main cap registers is loose allowing the main cap to move around when unbolted.
2) TRW pistons show signs of skirt collapse.
3) LeMans crank main & rod journals under 30 thou under size so that is definitely scrap anyway.
4) The valve guides were worn, and the valve collets were loose allowing valve stem movement.
5) Valve spring pressures below spec.
6) Small witness marks on the underside of the Dove roller rockers where the pushrod cups have been hitting them. i.e. pushrods are too long!
7) Oil pressure relief valve in the back of the block has been jammed closed to keep high oil pressure.

Might not be as bad as you think - obviously I have no idea how the package was represented to you upon sale. Still sounds like an old piece.

Old 427 blocks are almost all vintage warriors with a racing history - not many were used for genteel transport to and from the store. A well installed sleeve is rarely a problem. The marks in the bottom of a bore are likely cosmetic and should not cause any problem as long as they are below ring travel.

TRW pistons - if they are truly TRW - are really old. I discontinued that brand in the USA back in 1994 while I was running the Speed-Pro product line for Federal-Mogul. The crank at 30-30 is not my first pick, but will not cause any issues as long as its round and straight - bearings are readily available - definitely not scrap.

Loose guides and valve locks are not good - they need to be corrected, as does the valve spring pressure. Same for the pushrod length, although we've been caught by that one once in a while - Dove machining is not too consistant if you're only spot checking a few. We often disable the rear pressure valve and rely on the pump mounted relief.

Best of luck - sounds like a fixable situation.