Acquired a nice 8-71 blower a while back and been itching to put it on something. Got two main options in mind right now, both involving my 351w swapped 46 ford truck. Current engine is a full aluminum edelbrock top end and cam setup with a cast crank, cast pistons, and football rods 1st Idea is building a fairly beefy 427 bottom end out of a second 351w block and running my current top end setup on that, swapping the bottom ends out indiana jones style and slapping the 8-71 on there (would of course be running forged pistons and rods, and maybe a forged crank but likely cast as this is 90% a street car) 2nd Idea is skipping straight to building a blown Big block chevy and swapping the truck a second time with the 8-71 on there, and putting my windsor plus the trans in another old ford Any opinions one way or the other? Price isn't an issue but spending less money in the long run is always great
I believe that you need an aftermarket block to build a 427 W motor, I'm not sure there's enough room on a 351 for a 871 but I do like the idea of the 460.
Same hear Same here. I would like to see what the Windsor could do. Yes but remember that the main parasite of supercharging, is HEAT . The 8-71 shouldn't have to sweat too hard 90% of the time. Now the other ten percent, I would I'd feel happier with a steel crank.
Yeah a stock block would run the risk of turning into cereal, I’d definitely have to do a ton of prep with a lot of filler
I'd think about finding something else to put the blower on....it just doesn't seem to me to be a good fit for the truck you have now.
If you're a Ford in a Ford guy, and you can aFord one, a blown FE would be the coolest thing you could do.
Plenty of intakes out here for either one. We had a 434 inch W in a build once. Stock block. The pan rail and pan had to be clearanced amd a couple rod bolts. Honestly I think I’d prefer the 454 over the W just based on the fact that your not pushing the cubic inches up well beyond its origin.
I like my truck too, I might have had it a lot longer than you've had yours...I had a blower on it for several years, and then got another car to put the blower on, then yet another car. I still have the truck, and it's still a lot of fun, but the blower on another car is even more fun. I just thought I'd throw this opinion out there, because that's what you were asking for. My opinion is based on experience.
oh yeah both would be fairly easy to get, only thing with the ford is I'd have to run a tunnel ram to clear the distributor
A little bit of both! It's a detroit style blower off an old 8v71 what I'm currently converting to run on gas and not shatter into a million pieces when brought beyond 3k rpm. Thinking about getting a new case for normal mounting but also have a few of the adapter plates for the 8v to the standard 6-71 intake
Would you possibly come out ahead by getting one of the Weiand 6-71 blowers ? and putting it on the BB Chevy. Then you get the correct intake and all the parts. I say that because i'm going thru the throes of wanting to put a blower on a 500 Cad. I have two pretty decent blower cores sitting in my shop right now, but looking at buying individual components to rebuild either of them seems like it may be more expensive than just buying a Weiand. Was looking at one (Weiand) a guy has for sale that was never used, but not sure if I want to deal with him..........or if he wants to deal with me. He's had it for sale for 6 months and no one has bought it yet. Seems like a little bit of a "dick" from previous comunnication. Note: Weiand makes some smaller ones with long snouts that are not 6-71s. I don't like their design with that long snout. The 6-71 looks more like a real 6-71.
I think with the 427 setup you find it has a slow progression allowing you to look over at your passenger and say , " If I had the 454 ... " While with the 454 your head will stay put and the smile will be wider
I wouldn’t do anything, at least not yet. Your present 8V-71 could be adapted but it is an odd duck, the V-series GMC blowers were never very popular for hot rodding. I see from your Profile you are 18, I’d suggest slowing down and reading everything you can get your hands in regarding blowers. Not just the blower but everything associated- drive, manifold, carburetion, bottom end of the engine, the tuneup and more. Read, read and read some more until you can home in on the combination you want, understand and can afford. The photo shows a manifold for the 351W, and they say it clears the ignition. Just something you might consider instead of the tunnel ram and extra long blower belt. You already have the 351 and the top end sounds pretty good, if it were mine that’s what I’d build but I would stay with a mild over-bore and forget the 427 stroker kit. Read, read and read some more. Don’t make a decision you might live to regret. JMO.
I do have a suggestion as my friend just bought a Ford Racing Boss 460 good for 545 and 740 hp both normal aspirated versions . It's a 351 and certified by Ford . My friend put it in his all original off HAMB car is very pleased . Yes it came in a crate yet built custom by Ford Racing and installed by his local Ford dealership so yes all certified and he says wins are too easy so goes after bikes now . These factory race guys are very competitive and durable
Oh don’t worry this isn’t my first shot at doing stuff with blowers! This is just what I’m thinking for my next personal engine build, torn between two potentially cool setups. I may be 18 but I grew up in a family of diesel mechanics and was an apprentice building sprint car engines while building and selling small block fords, chevys, and boosted Hondas on the side. Definitely not as experienced as the seasoned old guys but I can hold my own as an engine builder, and pretty confident in my abilities! Done a couple roots blower setups in the past (including Detroit style cases adapted to standard 6-71 intake), so not really worried about the technical part just yet. I really appreciate the advice though!
Definitely thought about just buying a new blower, probably will for another project in the near future but I love the challenge of rebuilding crappy old parts! Luckily I already have most of the little annoying pieces required to rebuild and convert it to gas though. Managed to get some great deals on bearings, seals, and snout components a while back so I have a few boxes I’ve been sorting out. Got like everything but the gear cover at this point, just need to press it all together.
I agree.........on that note, I read this in an old magazine just this morning. The article was on building a performance 351 Windsor. It mentioned that the 351W had larger crank journals which meant larger bores in the block for the main bearings. That apparently created a weak area in the block and when higher compression engines (not supercharged) were built, they had a tendency to spilt the engine block. Now, I don't know any of that to be true and I don't mind someone correcting me if its wrong.....but if its true its worth noting.
the only two blocks I've seen in sort of recent years that were split in half were Brian's early hemi that ran nitromethane, and a 351W that ran nitrous. Probably not worth noting, though.
Personally, I would go big block chevy. I've been running a 671 version on a 396 for almost 25 years and with all that torque in a 2300 pound car it's a hand full. If you're more comfortable working on the ford platform, there are several good options there but it'll cost a little more. Asking about using a chevy engine in an old ford is asking for an lively reply from the ford in a ford guys. I guess it's a case of the old "misery loves company" adage.
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