Help: Builing a Street 408

[donraye]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

I had that discussion with an engine builder this week and he recommended finding a 69-75 351 Windsor block because they are stronger and machine the lifter bores to fit. He also recommended the 408 stroker be internally balanced and be sure and use the ARP 2000 series bolts because some of the previous ones have failed. As far as heads he recommended the ARP 210 heads that Keith Craft has or as a second option a set of Victor Jr. Heads. 1.7 roller rockers and a single plane intake.

Now all that being said remember this is one engine builders opinion and he is going on his experience building engines for mostly race applications. One of our members her DL uses this guy and has had no failures at RPM's around 7500. I would look to Keith Craft if I were you because he has probably seen it all. I am sure he has even had some experience with the PRO heads from Austrailia you described. I have even looked at them on EBAY.

Clois

Hi clois, Well as for the block I talked to Keith Craft and to the guy building mine (who builds a lot of 408/418/427) and they both said while it's true the older blocks are stronger it is not a problem until you get well over the 600HP range then it is. Since mine will likely end up in the 550 or less they both said it was no problem.
As for the AFR heads (you said ARP but I think that you meant AFR) Keith has and uses the 205cc (not 210) ones a lot, but my heads flow every bit as well as those do and retain the stock exhasust port location so there will be no problems/surprises in hooking up to my headers in their present location. these RHS heads are great heads and just as good (many think better because they use better springs) as the AFRs.
On the ARP bolts and internal ballancing: Yes to both, it does have those ARPs and it is internally ballanced.
My Edelbrock Performer RPM dual plane intake is a very good intake and it is the choice in Keiths shop as well as lots of other 408 builders so I'm comfortable with that selection and my trusty Holley 770CFM double pumper. Not fancy bit it gets the job done.
I also ordered a custom grind cam today from Keith Craft and in a three way conference with him, his cam guy, and his engine builder we came up with what they think is both what I want and what works best form their experience with 408s. It's the engine builder's favorite 408 street cam but with a reduced separation (108 from 112) to give it more lope on the idle while not sacraficing any performance.
They all said that most people want cams that have way more lift than they should and that hyd. rollers are mostly "done" at 6000RPM (unless you go to heroic lengths to increase that in the valve train components and geometry), yet people seem intent on wanting cams that really would only be correct in a solid roller design not a hydraulic. "People want lifts that would really want make power in an RPM range above that of the limits of the hyd. roller" their engine builder said. So I listened to their advice and let them pick the cam they thought worked best (with my input about the "sound" of the idle) rather than going for that "BIG" cam in the sky routine.
Let's hope it turns out right!
Thanks! Don