[DeTomaso] Stroker engine

[John Taphorn]

Joe

Many people are pleased with the 377 kits available that use the stronger Cleveland Crank.  My learning is that when going to a larger stroke ( mine is a 408) that requires a different crank, be certain to use a forged crank (i.e. SCAT).  The lower priced kits try to make due with a cast crank from a 400 engine that they offset ground.  I am aware of several of these cranks, including mine, that failed.  Actually, I don't know of any survivors - although, there must be some out there on borrowed time.  The cranks are not as strong as the higher nodular Cleveland and also require a lot of Mallory metal to balance.  The cost of balancing puts you in the same price ballpark as a good forged crank.  Lesson learned.

That said, the next challenge with the larger strokers is reducing the compression ratio enough to run street gas.  Be sure to work with a piston manufacturer who knows their stuff.  Randy Gillis, who lost two 408 strokers to bad cranks and thin domed pistons (to reduce compression), now works for JE Pistons and oversaw the design and build of the pistons for my 408 stroker.  They jumped through hoops to get the compression down to 9.75:1 with the quench heads while leaving the piston surface plenty thick.  The pistons incorporate a valley that matches the non-quench opening in the head.  It was nice working with someone who had been there and knew what to look out for.  I would recommend that you ask for Randy at JE.

You have lots of good stroker choices out their today.

JT


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Biancoj at aol.com 
  To: jtaphorn at kingwoodcable.com 
  Cc: detomaso at realbig.com ; daniel.c.jones2 at gmail.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 12:49 PM
  Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Stroker engine


  John and anyone else with a stroker motor, what size are you running and what are the internals, cam, piston, stroker kit, heads.  I'm just starting to look at my options and I'm planning on sticking with a carburetor and I will probably use ported aussie heads with stainless valves and a NOS 351C block.  Any assistance, suggestions will be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

  Joe Bianco