Drug this thing home (360). Now what should I do with it? - IT'S ALIVE!!!!

[Ghoste]

Option 4.  Externally the two engines will look the same so there is no reason there for the 340.  The date code part is nice but it isn't numbers matching-if your goal was building the car with a strong eye to resale value the date code would be a factor.  You and I both know you want something to drive, resale is important to you but it's not the final goal (it's likely about 3rd or 4th even on the list).  Lastly, you are typically analytical and weighing options like this is not unexpected but I also notice you to be someone who becomes quite focused on end result.  In my mind you are passed the block analysis point and are ready to stay focused on the 360 stroker.

[471_Magnum]

Actually, the initial goal (even before I started this thread) was just to find a 340 block for a rebuild/reblock base on the current internals assuming they passed inspection. The stroker was just a dream.

Then as I priced things out depending on what internals might need to be replaced, it became apparent that stroking wouldn't be a huge cost up. If I'm buying forged pistons and reconditioning rods, the cost difference is about 500 bucks.

Meanwhile, my quest for a 340 block (that was reasonably priced) was coming up dry. Every 340 I found was already 30-over, or priced in the stratosphere. The 360 came up locally, and really really cheap, so that set me on a more definite course to build the stroker. That couple hundred bucks saved could go towards the stroker kit.

But... the stroker will snowball. I'm already trying to budget for better heads, etc.

And not that fuel economy has ever been much of a consideration, but the prospect of $4/gallon gas is on the horizon. Not sure I want another 70 cubic inches to feed. This is a car I like to drive regularly, and it gets double digit mpg around town currently. Doesn't need to run a 12 second quarter.

While the numbers / date code thing isn't important to me, it could be to a future buyer. Without getting into a value debate, a couple hundred bucks spent now will improve the marketability and possibly the value later.

Popping the oil pan off the 340 and seeing exactly what I've got to work with in there might make the picture clearer. Finding a forged crank and forged pistons could certainly sway me towards a budget friendly 340 rebuild. Perhaps that needs to be a project for the coming week.

[Ghoste]

Your car toy goals have changed somewhat but I very much get it.

[471_Magnum]

Yeah... there is this reality of a household budget that consistently crushes my automotive dreams.

[firefighter3931]

Stroke the 360 

In the grand scheme of things the cost of fuel is a non issue. It's not like this is going to be a daily driver. KamKuda's 408 gets pretty descent milage from what i remember. The stroker is just humming along at 2500 and right in the sweet spot. 



Ron

[471_Magnum]

No, gas mileage is not so much of an economic factor as it is a psychological one. I live eight miles from town. In the typical big block car, a trip to the hardware store can burn almost two gallons of fuel.

Haven't checked the mileage on the Roadrunner, but a tank of fuel last a whole lot longer than it ever did in any of my big block cars. Runs on 89 octane to boot. Makes it a little easier to enjoy the hobby.

Assuming I stroke the 360, I am a little concerned with the CR. 9.8:1 and iron heads is definitely pushing it in a heavy car. 3.55 gears will help, but I've got a poor man's overdrive (2.76 gears) sitting in the corner of the garage should the Power Tour bug strike again. That would just exacerbate the problem.

I'm eyeballing a set of secondhand E'brock heads, but there's that snowball factor again.

[Ghoste]

I'll vouch for the number of miles he will put on in a year.  It may not be a daily driver but it sure won't gather much dust either.

[471_Magnum]

Machine shop called the other day. Block has been cleaned and magnafluxed. It's cleared the first hurdle. Now it's decision time.

At this point I'm heavily leaning towards the Scat cast crank stroker build re-using my J-heads. Might upgrade to some RHS heads or E'brocks sometime down the road if a stumble across a smoking deal.

[471_Magnum]

Sold the 360 block. Figured I test the market to see if I could make my money back on it, and WHAM, I get a buyer within a couple hours of posting the ad.

So now I've got the choice of 340 or 416.

[firefighter3931]

So now I've got the choice of 340 or 416.

416 is the only choice 


Ron

[471_Magnum]

I'm back to square one. Closer inspection on the 340 block I was going to purchase revealed an issue similar to my current block. The driver side dowel pin is busted out. The block is repairable, and maybe even usable as-is, but it's just not worth the trouble, nor a good investment. Easier to find another block.

I've got the option of repurchasing the 360 block, but I'm going to poke around a bit for another while I'm still in the fund raising stage of the project.

[firefighter3931]

I've got the option of repurchasing the 360 block, but I'm going to poke around a bit for another while I'm still in the fund raising stage of the project.

I'd get that 360 block ASAP....then order up the 4in stroker kit ! 


Ron

[Rolling_Thunder]

agreed - 360 block -  sell the 340 block and you'll almost make the same money as you did selling the 360 ---   externally they look the same...      stroke it (getting rid of the external balance BS) and have fun with it...     

[Daytona R/T SE]

Jim, Our leader Troy has a steel crank 340 for sale in the "Parts and accessories for sale" section...

[471_Magnum]

Jim, Our leader Troy has a steel crank 340 for sale in the "Parts and accessories for sale" section...

I know. Don't need a complete motor though.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Buy it anyway and sell off what you don't need...

[471_Magnum]

Drug home another 360 block this morning. Found it locally. STD bore 72 casting. 75 bucks.

I'll take it to the machine shop next week.

[471_Magnum]

Game on.

Tax refund hit the bank account yesterday. Brought the 360 block to the machine shop today.

Next decision I need to make is which piston to use. Have to decide between the dished offerings from Icon, Mahle and SRP. The offerings from Diamond, Ross, JE, and Wiseco all are significantly more expensive.

Icons (KB745) are relatively heavy compared to the Mahle (SBM460030I28) and SRP (SRP220157) pistons. They come in at 635 grams w/pin (advertised) versus 600 on the other two. Consequently, I've pretty much eliminated them from the running.

The Mahles have a HUGE 28 cc dish, which would really drop the CR. They also run 5 thou shorter on the CH. With 70 cc heads, it would be around 8.8:1 if I decked the block to 9.585". The SRPs have a 17 cc dish, which will put me at 9.6:1 with the block decked to 9.590".

I'll be running the open chambered J-heads for now, but I'm building the short block for good quench for if I ever change to closed chambered heads.

[firefighter3931]

The SRP's with a 17cc dish is the clear winner 


Ron

[471_Magnum]

Picked up a couple of odds and ends for the project yesterday in Indy. No really big purchases. Just block hardware, cam bearings and a second-hand lifter valley windage tray.

Just missed out on a Milodon oil pan.

I also lustfully groped and fondled some RHS cylinder heads, but those are going to have to wait. Man they look nice though. Maybe next March.

No smoking deals to be found in Indy on rotating assemblies, so I'll start ordering those parts. Just clicked off on a set of the SRP pistons listed on ebay. I'll order the crank, rods, bearings and rings tomorrow.

[471_Magnum]

The pretty parts have begun to arrive. Today the rods and bearings showed-up. These Scat rods are nicer than expected. Not quite as pretty as a set of H-beams, but lighter, and a whole lot less expensive.

Had hoped to get the crank and pistons today, but I guess they will get here tomorrow. The plan had been to drop the pistons off at the machine shop so they could do the finish bore. If the UPS man stops by early enough tomorrow, I might still get that done.

This weekend I'll chamfer the bearings. Once the finish bore is complete, I'll bring the block home and mock it up to check rod clearance and deck.

Things should start moving along.

[471_Magnum]

Crank showed up Friday, but the pistons did not.

Discovered the piston were actually shipping from CA, not FL as advertised, hence the delay. They will be here tomorrow (Monday).

Looks as if chamfering the bearings may not be required, at least on the mains. Narrow bearings look as if they will have ample side clearance. I'll check them closer at dry assembly.

[firefighter3931]

I like Scat stuff...quality parts that won't break the bank ! 

There's a Scat 4.15 stroker crank & 6.76 H-beams as well as Diamond reverse dome pistons sitting on my shelf for a future 493 stroker project. 


Ron

[471_Magnum]

I've heard one too many horror stories about Eagle failures, particularly on their cast cranks and SIR rods, I went with Scat. Scat is just a bit more expensive but worth it for the piece of mind. I ordered most everything from CNC-Motorsports.

Hopefully I'll see some good progress on the block tomorrow.

[firefighter3931]

I can't comment on the Eagle cast parts but their forged cranks/rods are descent for the money. My 572 has an Eagle 4.5 crank and 7.1 h-beam rods with the bolt upgrade. That stuff is fine to the 900-1000hp range, inmo.

For sure the Scat parts are better quality because they are finish machined here in North America 


Ron