I'm looking at the parts to get the rebuild on my 351W started. I have selected an Edelbrock power package, #2092. Unfortunately I don't know what pistons I should use with this set up. I have not yet spoke with Edelbrock if they have a piston set up already pre planed for their package. I don't understand anything about pistons and which is better than the other. I'm not looking for a giant power plant for racing of any kind. My idea is a nice clean engine that can produce a good amount of power and if I want to stomp on it, I want to know theres a powerful V8 there instatnly. I'm looking at around 500hp max with everything, but I don't really need that much straightaway.
Okay, the heads are a 60cc combustion chamber and they recommend pistons with valve reliefs, which generally cover a stock flat-top piston. But the 60cc thing catapults you into a higher CR with a flat-top piston, you could be up around a 10:1 CR. Dished pistons take that down. See what you have for existing pistons. The Edelbrock cam lift is a .520, you may be okay with off the shelf pistons. I'd talk to them before buying anything. http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/mc/cylinder-heads/ford/performer-rpm-sb.shtml http://www.jegs.com/p/KB-Performanc...es-Hypereutectic-Ford-Pistons/755796/10002/-1
You might want to give this a read: http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/ccrp-1302-six-budget-ford-heads-that-work/ Most aftermarket pistons with standard reliefs will clear the Edelbrock option with 1.90 valves if you go 2.02 you will have to check clearance this applies to 302 and 351's both. It's too bad Edelbrock is still using a 30 year old cam design with this an upgrade to a roller would be better,if you are using your existing 351W flat tappet block and people can hear it run you may want to sell it and get a later 5.8 roller cam block if you are doing a complete build.
Bob, there is a problem with even looking at the old pistons, I dropped half of them on the ground as they came out of the engine. The engine was rotated upside down on an engine stand. There are visible differences on the sides that hit the garage floor. Jeff, thanks for brining up the roller cam, I read the article you added and researched the difference agree it is better to look for a roller set up. I am actually doing a complete rebuild. I have a completely torn down short block at the moment. I've been told that the original crank should be good even if upgrading so I was planing to keep that part. From what I've been told previously, I will need to replace everything else for the small build I to plan on. Now to call Edelbrock. Thanks for your input guys
I'm using a Dart top end kit in my car (355 Chevy...) and a Lunati Voodoo cam, just got my **** rods today. I almost went with Edelbrock heads and an aluminum manifold, but dollars and sense took me over to Dart.
Seriously, call the piston manufacturers, they can tell you what they recommend based on all of your specifications. A couple of years ago I was building a 351W-based 393ci stroker turbo engine and was looking for the right set of pistons for my setup. I called JE, Arias, and Ross, and finally settled on a set of forged Probe pistons. All the companies were more than helpful over the phone, and my decision was mostly based in Probe being a big player in the NMRA and are in a lot of turbo SBFs.
Thank you for the responses everyone. I will try to contact piston manufacturing companies this week. I spoke with Edlebrock and the guy told me to go with Comp Cams because Edlebrock doesn't make a roller cam for my engine and just like Jeff stated, a roller cam is better than flat tappet. I do have a comp cam already but I'm not sure if the 110 duration is what I really want. I'm thinking maybe 105 but nothing more aggressive than 100 really.
For relatively low buck pistons that will work, I would go with the Keith Black 351 W pistons. Early 69 and 70 windsors came with a slightly shorter deck height, later model blocks, Keith Black flat tops, with any 60cc head will be perfect on premium pump gas, if you want to run 87 octane you will have to go with a dish piston. These pistons can be found on speedway motors website for a fairly good deal. I ran them for years on my circle track 351w with zero deck and 58CC heads and had zero piston issues.
mnfordfan- Thanks for the information regarding the shape of the face, I never knew that had anything to do with the type of gasoline I could use. I do plan to run it on regular pump gas since its just gonna be a street cruiser and taken to car shows. I'm normally a cheap *** and use 87 but since this won't be a daily driver I may use higher grade.
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