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Ford Crate Engines... Your thoughts ?
Hi Guys,
Relatively new to the forum, and I'm seeking last minute advice before I pull the trigger on my first Cobra. Crate Motor: Ready to go, and you and potential buyer knows what they are getting, with warranty. Custom Build: Coolness. Tough choice never having owned either.......... |
I spoke to a Ford dealer who has sold a mumber of 393 creat engines. He said they are seeing about a 20% failure rate. They have made good on the product but they don't cover the installation and removal.
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20% huh ? That seems a little high. Anything in particular that goes out on them ?
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Keith Craft
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Mine came up with a cracked block after around 200 miles. They made good on the engine, but I had to cover removal / reinstallation.
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World Products 427" / 625 HP Limited Edition Drag crate engine.
www.worldcastings.com |
You guys are making my decision easier by the minute...
Stay tuned for a poll concerning custom builds... Anyway, I thought the crate engines were supposed to be "better" than the standard ford issue, but they sound worse. But hey, I asked.:LOL: |
Keith Craft
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http://www.gessford.com/
Gessford Machine, 2004 National machine shop of the year award winner! :D Crate motor 20% failure rate? Not acceptable! |
20% seems high, alot of that could be the result of a bad install or other assembly problems. For example the 302/345HP is more of a long block ... there's a lot somebody can screw up on that.
I've had more headaches with custom builders to be honest. |
I have wondered about that. The block Ford uses in the crate motors is rated for 450hp. Many of these engines are close...maybe over with some mild modifications. In there ASA crate motor (similar to the 302/450hp) the changed the to the R302 block and a zero balance crank.
The Dart and World blocks shouldn't have a problem. BTW, the 625hp engine is race only (including fuel). However they have a wide selection of others including a 375cid 8.2" block and a 460cid 9.2" block. |
Engine Factory.....Good work, great service......
http://www.enginefactory.com Speak with Chris..... Tell'em Roscoe sent ya. Roscoe |
Keith is the man to see!
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Have you considered building one yourself? It's really not that difficult if you do a little reading. You can get a 351 from a junkyard for under $500.00 and rebuild it with quality machine work & parts for about $2,000.00 to $4,000.00 depending on how extravagant you want to be. Another $300.00 in basic tools and you've got the satisfaction of knowing exactly whats in it and being able to tell everyone you built it yourself. If you find a good machine shop in your area they'll very likely give you good advice on the assembly if you use them for your machine work.
I'm almost done with a 428 FE build and including all the accessories I'll have less than $4,000.00 into it. That's using top shelf parts where necessary and stock parts where they'll do fine. Tom. |
Build one myself ? :LOL:
I may not have enough time to finish writing the check properly. :3DSMILE: |
Quote:
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I've got a 351W Ford crate motor, over 8000 miles on it now. No troubles.
Check the builders that the others are mentioning. Often you can get as good (or maybe even better) for the same sort of money that Ford charges - and you'll get darn near personal attention from the builders. |
This is my opinion from speaking to a few buyer's of crate engines is that they have gotten much better in the past couple of years. I prefer the machine shop route but I would consider buying a crate 392 since the forged pistons where added. Some times the little parts can really add up on a machine shop rebuild. Distributor, balancer, oil pan, valve covers, flywheel. Weigh your options. I just prefer my engine builder no matter what the cost. I have a rebuilt shortblock with Heads, cam and intake and my builder did an excellant job and we have lunch every week.
later dennis |
I'm a Ford dealer and the few crate motors we've sold can be counted on one hand, one of which is in my Cobra with 1000 miles on it. Knock on wood, they've all been ok.
Walter |
20% failure rate..........wow. Wonder what happened.
Can't speak to any other, but I bought a Ford crate 302 and have put nearly 9000 miles on it without any issues whatsoever. It is the 302/345, B cam. Starts immediately, runs excellent and is carbureted. $2900 delivered to my door. As mentioned before, the early 392's had piston troubles but seem trouble-free since the change to forged units. Alternative might be to get a custom shortblock from the many builders out there and some good heads; pretty easy to put together, even for a novice. Just remember, with ANY engine, to prime it extensively before you go to crank it up. |
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