1977 Bronco

[grumpin]

My son sent me this.

https://theautumnred.yolasite.com/

[Gary Lewis]

Very nice!

I suppose a "347" is a stroked 302? I don't understand why people do that when building up a 351W would probably be cheaper as you don't need an aftermarket crank or different rods. But, the 302 is smaller on the outside, so maybe that's the issue?

[Rembrant]

Very nice!

I suppose a "347" is a stroked 302? I don't understand why people do that when building up a 351W would probably be cheaper as you don't need an aftermarket crank or different rods. But, the 302 is smaller on the outside, so maybe that's the issue?

Gary,

Yessir, the 347 is one of the common 302 stroker kits, as is the 331 (I think), and I believe one other size.

Somebody commented on one of the other forums one time that Ford made a factory stroker kit for the 302, it's called the 351 Windsor...lol.

I guess it depends on the situation, and availability of a good 351 block/rotating assembly. I think a a 302 stroker kit is a couple grand isn't it? If you do that, then nothing else has to change. If you swap in a 351w, you'll need a new intake manifold for sure, and headers...or exhaust modifications to make the 302 headers work. Different flywheel or ring gear, as well as some accessory brackets, etc.

Being a guy that spent a bunch of money on a 302 (and wishes he had a 351), I know this situation all too well. However, hindsight is 20/20 isn't it? We'll see how I feel after I get mine working better (like the way it should have been).

If I could do it all again (and I might someday) I think one of the very late (1994/1996?) 351 Windsor roller block engines would make a lovely SBF for a light little Bullnose. They're a bit scarce though...kinda like finding a ZF5 trans with the small block bolt pattern.

[Gary Lewis]

Very nice!

I suppose a "347" is a stroked 302? I don't understand why people do that when building up a 351W would probably be cheaper as you don't need an aftermarket crank or different rods. But, the 302 is smaller on the outside, so maybe that's the issue?

Gary,

Yessir, the 347 is one of the common 302 stroker kits, as is the 331 (I think), and I believe one other size.

Somebody commented on one of the other forums one time that Ford made a factory stroker kit for the 302, it's called the 351 Windsor...lol.

I guess it depends on the situation, and availability of a good 351 block/rotating assembly. I think a a 302 stroker kit is a couple grand isn't it? If you do that, then nothing else has to change. If you swap in a 351w, you'll need a new intake manifold for sure, and headers...or exhaust modifications to make the 302 headers work. Different flywheel or ring gear, as well as some accessory brackets, etc.

Being a guy that spent a bunch of money on a 302 (and wishes he had a 351), I know this situation all too well. However, hindsight is 20/20 isn't it? We'll see how I feel after I get mine working better (like the way it should have been).

If I could do it all again (and I might someday) I think one of the very late (1994/1996?) 351 Windsor roller block engines would make a lovely SBF for a light little Bullnose. They're a bit scarce though...kinda like finding a ZF5 trans with the small block bolt pattern.

Cory - I don't blame you for building up the 302. It is the idea of stroking the 302 into almost as big as the 351W that seems crazy to me. Surely it is less expensive to go with a 351W. Yes, you need a new intake, but you are probably going from a 2bbl 302 to a 4bbl anyway. And yes, you need slightly different exhaust 'cause the V is wider. But otherwise....

But there are other things to consider. By stroking the 302 to 347 you change the rod ratio. There's a lot of discussion about that, but you can read a bit about that here: https://www.enginebuildermag.com/2016/08/understanding-rod-ratios/.