Thread: Where do i start?

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No offense, but if a 400hp SBF could be built for $1500 and still survive any sort of real usage, everyone would have one (most people just think they do).

If It was me in your position, I would get the engine running first and figure out what (if anything) is wrong with it. Minor adjustments may get it running suprisingly well.
Save money and build the lil critter right at a later date.


SBFtech is a great resource, tho mildly sycophantic and of the "Use the best parts, or go away" mentality, so bring a grain of salt.

Grain of salt is a great idea . Last time I was there , been a while I think they had put up a couple threads on building a SBF with different horse ratings .

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

There is one other thing to consider that you haven't mentioned. You say you want to put this in your 35 Ford, and while I am a Ford guy at heart I have to tell you that fitting one of these into your car will not be a piece of cake. Yes, they are narrow, but they are also long. The front mounted oil pump also presents some issues with crossmember clearance.

I have essentially the same engine room on my 46 Ford but when I build that car it will most probably get a 350 Chevy to save me from hacking up the firewall and moving the engine 3-4 inches into the passenger compartment. I know people have put the Fords into these cars, but it is just a lot more work.

You can shorten up the Ford engine with Ford Racing's short water pump setup, and I did that on my 27 to save 1.5 inches. But it requires you to buy a special timing cover, water pump, pulleys, and damper. I think all of that ended up costing me well over $ 1000 by the time I was done.

Just thought you should take out a tape measure and size up your engine room before you commit to that sbf. To show you how long these engines are, look at how far I had to set back the one in my 27, and even with the short water pump kit I still clear the electric fan by about 1/4 inch!

Don

Edit: Ok, I just read your other thread, looks like you are cutting up the car pretty far for the bags and MMII, so I guess you won't mind a little more surgery on the firewall.

Hey Don, be careful about telling people to put in SBC motors; Dave may be watching and you'll never hear the end of it.

Hey everyone....it's been a while since i've been on, but I've gotten pretty far along with regards to which route i'm taking with my 302 motor. I've decided to go with an edelbrock top end kit....it'll give me about 360hp which is a decent # for the price. I've also established all the additional parts that i'll need. So the good news is that I have plan finally!!! My major concern right now is establishing the production date of my engine. Originally i was told that the motor came out of a 1979 mustang, but I can't verify that is correct information. I've looked online in various places and all the sources say that i should look above the starter for the engine codes.....i've looked for hours and can't find any numbers on the block that match any of the 302/289 casting #rs. The only clearly visible # that I found was one that was visible after i took off the intake manifold and is located on the side closest to the firewall. Here's a picture of it....

Any help would be greatly appreciated....I'll also check out SBFTECH....thanks!

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

There is one other thing to consider that you haven't mentioned. You say you want to put this in your 35 Ford, and while I am a Ford guy at heart I have to tell you that fitting one of these into your car will not be a piece of cake. Yes, they are narrow, but they are also long. The front mounted oil pump also presents some issues with crossmember clearance.

I have essentially the same engine room on my 46 Ford but when I build that car it will most probably get a 350 Chevy to save me from hacking up the firewall and moving the engine 3-4 inches into the passenger compartment. I know people have put the Fords into these cars, but it is just a lot more work.

You can shorten up the Ford engine with Ford Racing's short water pump setup, and I did that on my 27 to save 1.5 inches. But it requires you to buy a special timing cover, water pump, pulleys, and damper. I think all of that ended up costing me well over $ 1000 by the time I was done.

Just thought you should take out a tape measure and size up your engine room before you commit to that sbf. To show you how long these engines are, look at how far I had to set back the one in my 27, and even with the short water pump kit I still clear the electric fan by about 1/4 inch!

Don

Edit: Ok, I just read your other thread, looks like you are cutting up the car pretty far for the bags and MMII, so I guess you won't mind a little more surgery on the firewall.

That's right, be different. Put a 350 Sheby motor in a Ford, and be sure to paint the Ford red, you will have something really different, one of a kind

Ya...no thanks on the sbc or the red paint

To help you with the ID's click on this: www.mre-books.com/interchange/index.html under Small Block Ford click on the sections in blue for the info.There are some excellent books available from them,you may want to write down the titles and try www.half.com for used ones I bought some under $5.Another solution to the length problem is in this link I posted: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=303600 scroll down to post#5