Hey yall i'm new here. i have a 71 pinto that is my new project car. I've got alot of plans for it, but first is the engine. Let me know what you guys think- 418 stroker. I dont know whether or not to go with a stock block and notch it myself, which i dont mind, or go with a dart 4 bolt main 351. the car will be used for the street and crusing. I want it borderline streetable though. I want some power. For heads i'm probably going to go with some aluminum edlebrock ones. I am aiming for about 10.5:1 compression. Single plane intake manifold and about an 800cfm carb. If anyone has any information or tips, let me know. I'm not sure about the valve train, cams, rockers, so forth...As far as mounting goes i dont think i will have much trouble. i know it wont drop right in, but fabrication and modification are my 2 strong points. Any help would be great, and it's nice to be part of the group. :)
Welcome to the site!
There's a lot of Pinto experience running around here, so it's highly likely that you'll have someone who knows the answers to most questions you'll have as you undergo your project.
You want it streetable, but are you looking to be able to pull G's at all, or are you more interested in straight-line running? Either way, I think you're going to be looking at redoing the front end as far as heft to hold the engine as well as getting bigger brake rotors. Fabricating subframe connectors and bulking the rear-end are also pretty much required if you're running that kind of torque down the tranny tunnel.
Good luck with it and keep us posted how it's going.
why not just go with a 408 or 393 for a street car, sure, you can take a 351 to 427 in a stock block, but why? This is just my opinion, but at 418-427...you can go no further in the future (at least not without filling the jackets with concrete) I've seen 408 hit over 1000 hp to go bigger just weakens the whole assembly (stock block) 408 with main girtle and your good to go ...without the expence of extra machining. Just my opinion. For the heads, i'd go AFR 225's ;D they would be sweet on a stroker 351!
Hey guys. thanks for the quick replies. 78pinto, the 408 sounds like a better idea when you put it that way. I wanted to go full out 427, but heard about an issue with the stroke being so long that the oil ring manages to use a bit of oil. I want it to be streetable and pretty reliable, but i want it to be bad butt as well. I will redirect and set a course for a 408.
poison pinto- after i get the engine built and i have all the parts and accsesories for it, I was going to re do the engine compartment. Re route brake lines, so forth in there. I also planned to go with a wilwood set up for front disc brakes and an 8" rear end in the back. Not sure what gear i need/want to run. I would like to pull g's though. I had planned on stiffer springs for the new engine, but past that, little else. Anyone ever made subframe connectors for a pinto? i have little knowledge in that area. Suggestions?
QuoteAnyone ever made subframe connectors for a pinto? i have little knowledge in that area. Suggestions?
The short answer is "Yes."
I haven't done it yet, but will be doing so on my wagon, I believe. If I remember there are some photos of subframe connectors fabricated from channel stock in one of the project threads. It's an easy cut-n-weld job for the most part.
The person to talk to about making them is Brad F. (turbopinto72). He'll get you going in the right direction.
Ive gat a few pics of my subframe connectors but their not good. I will be out of town untill next week but here are a coupple of them. This shot shows the connector going by the seat bolt.
This shot is wwhere it go's back the the spring location.
As far as blocks go, i cant seem to get a real straight answer on the big differences between a 351W and a 351C. from what i have gathered, i probably want to use a clevland. if anyone has some advice on that, i'd sure like to hear it! Past that i've been doing body work on my pinto. I'll get pictures up if i can. I'm just going to shoot it a dark grey primer for now. Any general advice of any kind is always welcome. thanks
It will be cheaper to build a Windsor engine. The Clevland is a great motor but very costly to build, for all out dragstrip car....clevland would be a better choice. They are completely different engines, and other than the displacement, nothing is the same!
HI,
I'm currently builiding a '80 302 pinto, but if I had money I would build 427windsor and top it w/4-v Cleavland heads. I think a cleavland weights about 100lbs over a windsor. Although a stroked cleavland spining 9g would be pretty nasty.
"Let me know what you guys think- 418 stroker. "
hey, not everyone here are guys!! i'm a girl!! and i love my pinto!!
selina grantt
selinagrantt@yahoo.com
cherryville, nc