Hey guys, I recently picked up a Windsor block to build up a stroker. The 302 in my '54 Ford is fun and all, but I want, nay, need, more power. Now that it’s cleaned up, I noticed a rough looking hole in the lifter valley, that leads into the timing cover/distributor shaft. it looks like it may be intentionally cast to have that hole knocked out by the factory, but if anyone can confirm that, I would greatly appreciate it!
I’m blind,,,,I don’t see any problem,,,,,,looks like a little casting flash around the hole . Am I missing anything ? BTW,,,,I like your engine stand,,,,looks strong,,,,,and correct color . Tommy
From memory it's there to help with the crank case ventilation more than to act as an oil drain. It's meant to be an all the way through but looks like the sand slipped during casting, so was knocked through during finishing. Phil
Wouldn't take that much to build a modern "Cleavor", especially with the variety of Aluminum heads available today! Just a thought, especially if your engine bay has enough room. Just keep the ports small enough to keep the flow velocity up for better throttle response.
One thing you can do with the two rear drain back holes is take a die grinder and smooth the passages. No need to make it larger just radius and blend it so the oil has an easier transition back to the pan.
I'd second that. I built a 422W the old-school hard way with an offset ground and modded Ford 400 crank, Mopar 340 rods and KB pistons. A lot of mockup work and clearancing. I also helped my bro as he built his 393W, easier but not my favorite stroker combo. Wrangling those I think the 408 is superior to both. Bigger than the 393, very affordable longer rods with a huge number of options in length, more room for compression height in the pistons, assuming you are using one of the common SBC rods. With the 4.1 or longer stroke, the pistons get really short, the distance to the cam is crowded, you may have to clearance rod shoulders to clear etc... The 422 (4.140"s x 4.030"b)
A 400 inch Winsdor can make an honest 400 hp and acceptable low end power with the right heads, cam and proper tuning. It doesn't have to be very radical or unreliable..It is a daily street car in good weather?
A friend of mine has a 440 ci single 4V Windsor that runs A/FX, 9.0's in a 66 Fairlane- it's Holbrook engine that makes 1065 hp- loud little sucker, you'd swear it was an FE at the track
Most of the mild crate 408s advertise 450hp and 475tq. Mild cam, 10:1 compression. Bigger cam, AFR 205 or comparable heads 550-600hp is easy. Depends what you want.
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