In the Mar. '10 issue, we test-fitted a Ford 347 stroker kit from Summit Racing in a 302 Windsor block we had pulled from a wrecked '73 Ranchero ("Garage Built Stroker"). The block wasn't a total junker. As a 302, it had been machined by our friends at JMS Racing Engines in El Monte, California, and run on the dyno, so we already knew the bores were 4.030 and the mains were straight. The 347 parts fit, but we had to clearance the block with the Makita, dingle-hone the bore, then hope we didn't damage the cam bearings during the process. It's a lot of work and maybe a bit over the head of the first-time engine builder but not all that difficult. Summit figured this out and came up with a solution. The company's 347 stroker block has been clearanced for the 3.400 crank, bored, align-honed, and even washed like that fancy lettuce you buy in the bag at the grocery store. We decided to test-fit the same 347 rotating assembly in the new block to see if we had to lift a finger to make things fit. We were also curious to see exactly what you get for just under $700.00.
The block arrived in a protective plastic wrapper with a $109 UPS "lift gate fee." That takes the total price to about $800.
Engine Specifications
Our plan was to swap all the guts from the JMS stroker into the new block. You will still have to check main bearing clearances, but the rest of the work has been done for you.
Torque Specs
Main cap 65 ft-lb (with ARP moly lube and bolts); 85 ft-lb (motor oil and stock bolts)
Rod cap 50 ft-lb (3/8-inch ARP bolt and nut); 40 ft-lb (3/8-inch ARP cap screw); 20 ft-lb (stock); 0.0060-0.0067 bolt stretch
Engine Specs
Bore: 4.030
Deck: 8.200
Stroke: 3.400
Cubic inches: 347
Rod length: 5.400
Compression distance: 1.100
Valve relief: -5cc
Rod journal: 2.100
Main journal: 2.249
