Thread: Need help getting a new engine

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I had a 383 in my 46 coupe for a few years. I can tell you that it will be light years ahead of that old 305 you have now. Fat fender Ford's are heavy old cars and the low end grunt of that baby big block will get the old girl moving PDQ.

The only downside is that all that torque WILL eventually find the weakest link in your drive train if you hammer on it.

That engine you picked will need a 400 style harmonic balancer. The 305 balancer won't work. You also need a flex plate for a 1-piece rear main crank.

Also, the HEI you have will most likely work, but it may need a gear replacement depending on what cam was used. Use the wrong type of gear and you will have rapid cam and gear wear, filling the engine with metal. It may not have the best advance curve either.

That engine would have been tested and rated with a specific combination of parts. Any changes will most likely cost you power. I would call Blueprint Engines or Summit Tech to find out exactly what combo is recommended.

Summit does say that it needs 750 cfm carb. The RPM manifold is good. resist any urge to go with an Air Gap style intake unless you plan to track the car. On the street, the regular RPM will give you better across the board street manners.

All of this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. Ask someone else and you will most likely get different answers.

Good luck.

Ok, so I've narrowed it down to these 2 engines..which would you pick and why?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hpe-hp94m

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38313ct1

I'm leaning towards the ATK engine because it comes with the intake, distributor, water pump,harmonic balancer and a flex plate for only $150 more than the Blueprint engine, but it has a few less HP and 9.7:1 Compression vs 10.0:1 on the Blueprint..