Which way would you go or choose?

[james]

Please read the following carefully.

351w 408 4340 steel crank, Ford roller short block, race prepped, 580+hp   OR

351w 427 Ford roller short block, 4340 steel crank, H-beam, race prepped, 580+ hp

And as far as price they are both for sale for the exact same amount $3,250. Is this a good or reasonably fair price? Thanks!

[GerryP]

It's just not possible to build an engine like that for that kind of money.  Well, maybe if everything is made of Chineseum.   But in a practical sense, no, just no.

[338Raptor]

I always opt for more cubic inches.
But for $3250 it’s going to be loaded with either used parts or low end Chinese parts.  I doubt it will live long at 580+ hp.

[james]

I always opt for more cubic inches.
But for $3250 it’s going to be loaded with either used parts or low end Chinese parts.  I doubt it will live long at 580+ hp.

Here's the ad and I just noticed the words, "Remanufactured."
https://www.ebay.com/itm/351w-427-Ford-Non-Roller-Short-block-4340-STEEL-CRANK-560-hp-pump/322470544916?hash=item4b14be0614:g:RsUAAOSwa~BYalWm

And this ad. https://www.ebay.com/itm/351w-408-4340-Steel-Crank-Ford-Non-Roller-Short-block-race-prepped-580-hp/223246193535?hash=item33fa82937f:g:VZUAAOSwW0Vb9zha

[338Raptor]

The price now seems more reasonable. You get a freshly machined OEM block, pistons/rings, rods, crank, and bearings. There’s a lot more parts required. You should disregard their 560hp statement. All the power is produced in the heads and cam, and they aren’t included.
I would say it’s a fair deal if you think you can trust them. I’m just leary of spending that kind of money without being able to visit the shop and talk to the guy machining and measuring the parts. There are a dozen areas they can take shortcuts that you won’t discover until the engines in your car running.

By the way, it doesn’t matter to me but this isn’t an FE.  Not sure if there’s another place to discuss non-FE stuff. Just sayin.

[Joe-JDC]

Just an observation, but why buy remanufactured when you can pick and choose the parts you want, and build something with very good quality for just a few dollars more.  I have a 410W( +.040, 4.000"stroke) Scat forged rotating assembly in a roller cam block ('94-96} forged pistons, file fit rings, balanced, with all the best machine work, arp, stud girdle, balanced and assembled for ~$3800.00.  The 427W will have more torque, but there will not be more than 25 hp difference between them when it is all said and done.  Heads and camshaft and headers will make or break this combination.  JMO, but I always prefer to pick my own parts and monitor the machine work and assembly.  Joe-JDC

[e philpott]

If 580 to 600 HP is the goal then you shouldn't be looking at stock blocks IMHO , aftermarket iron if you want to beat it and not worry about it breaking

[My427stang]

If those are the choices, the one with the smaller bore to save cylinder wall and keep the bore stable

All the other comments are spot on though

[427LX]

If you want to build a 427+ cube Windsor "style" engine that will live a long life you have 2 choices for blocks.
The Ford Racing 427 Windsor block or the Dart block.
Add a SCAT forged rotating assembly and set it up for 10.00-10.5 compression and a good head like the TFS High Port 225 cc
head combined with the Eddy Super Victor intake and a 950 sized Holley and you will get a nice 560+ HP and torque
depending on your cam selection.
On my package I put together for the STREET I get 550-560 HP and same amount of torque all in by 5500 RPM!

Wrap it all up in a light Fox body Mustang with a TKO-600 and all you will need is a mild 3.50 gear in your 9 inch
for mind blowing 6000 RPM max performance!

[blykins]

There’s two ways of getting to 427 cubes with the Windsor stuff.  You can either use an aftermarket big bore block or you can use a factory block with a longer stroke crank.  A factory Windsor block will hold 550-600 without an issue. 

In both instances it notes that they are roller blocks, which means they are factory late model 351w blocks.  One is a 4” stroke and the other is probably a 4.100 or 4.170 stroke.

Not a bad price for a short block, but if it’s all unnamed brand stuff, no telling what you get.

Stupid to put a horsepower rating on a short block.

[427LX]

I'd go with known quality good parts and the big bore blocks. The 4.125 bore will help with head flow and the peace of mind with the splayed 4 bolt main caps. The longer than 4.00 stroke required for the 427 inches in a standard factory 351W block will tend to work or move around the 2 bolt main caps at higher RPM/load.
Don't skimp on the shortblock and it will last a long time!