390 based stroker for ranger drag truck?

[92ranger18]

i was at a pick and pull the other day and say an old ford pick up with a 390 and automatic trans, and i found a 445 stroker kitfor the 390 and i was wondering if this would make a good motor for a drag truck. not sure if the trans was a c4 or c6. which would be better for the strip? i can get the motor and trans for 250 to 300 bucks is it worth it

here is a link to the stroker kit.

http://www.coasthigh.com/Ford-445FE-Flat-Top-4-0cc-Scat-Based-Kit-p/14773-sca-622-f445-1.htm

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Kinda neat for the cool factor, but there are better options... especially for a Ranger.

It is going to take a lot of butter to get that thing in a Ranger...

 

[fordmike1]

The FE engine is a good engine and is very capable of making high HP but like 85_Ranger said its a big engine to fit in the ranger. Now for the cost of that stroker kit you could do a 427ci Windsor, less weight, easier to fit, cheaper to build and is capable of making high HP to. There would be a bit better cool factor with the FE though.

 

[92ranger18]

how much bigger is it than the 351w? This maybe a stupid question but is it a big block or small block? And i was gonna strip every thing out of the engine bay for the motor and prolly fab up mounts for manual rack and pinion and maybe a custom crossmember and mounts for the motor. It will be strictly a strip truck. I would prolly have to cut the fire wall to make it fit but thats no problem to me. I would prolly use the plates that mount on the front and behind the motor to mount it. And yeait would have that cool factor cause i have only seen one fe motor around where im from that runs. Plus i would make this a long term project so i can work out kinks and stuff like that.


Sorry this is so long i had a avalanche of ideas all of a sudden lol

 

[RangerFabWorks]

how much bigger is it than the 351w? This maybe a stupid question but is it a big block or small block? And i was gonna strip every thing out of the engine bay for the motor and prolly fab up mounts for manual rack and pinion and maybe a custom crossmember and mounts for the motor. It will be strictly a strip truck. I would prolly have to cut the fire wall to make it fit but thats no problem to me. I would prolly use the plates that mount on the front and behind the motor to mount it. And yeait would have that cool factor cause i have only seen one fe motor around where im from that runs. Plus i would make this a long term project so i can work out kinks and stuff like that.


Sorry this is so long i had a avalanche of ideas all of a sudden lol

the 351w is based off the 302 small block where as the fe engines (332-352-390-428) is a big block. the top of the heads are VERY wide. your talking manual brakes. complete loss of the heater/ac box. custom radiator fitted into the core support. no power steering. yada yada

i say go for it. but thats just me

 

[92ranger18]

the 351w is based off the 302 small block where as the fe engines (332-352-390-428) is a big block. the top of the heads are VERY wide. your talking manual brakes. complete loss of the heater/ac box. custom radiator fitted into the core support. no power steering. yada yada

i say go for it. but thats just me

yea thats about it, the only thing that will be run by the belt will prolly be the water pump prolly would use an electric water pump. Elec fans fuel pump etc. If i take the brake booster out i could get a brake pedal and master cylinder assy from summit.

 

[RangerSVT]

I would get it, turn around and sell that stroker and build a 351W, its a lot lighter, but thats me...
SVT

 

[baddad457]

Barry Rabotnik's building 390 based strokers now and getting right at 700HP with em.How's that for cool ?

 

[92ranger18]

yes that is cool. How hard would it be to build one? I kno someone that is the best engine builder around here where im from and he wont charge much to bore and stuff but i want to put it all together.

 

[bearsrngr]

The cool factor of that FE is nice, but if you'r building an all out drag truck the weight difference will be the killer. The size and weightof the FE will put too much weight on the nose, and the ranger already lacks weight in the rear.

 

[92ranger18]

The cool factor of that FE is nice, but if you'r building an all out drag truck the weight difference will be the killer. The size and weightof the FE will put too much weight on the nose, and the ranger already lacks weight in the rear.

yea i kno they are light in the rear thats why i was gonna cut out the fire wall and move it back that way i can move the engine back as well and i was gonna put weights in the back and either run ladder bars or a 4 link suspension out back

 

[baddad457]

The cool factor of that FE is nice, but if you'r building an all out drag truck the weight difference will be the killer. The size and weightof the FE will put too much weight on the nose, and the ranger already lacks weight in the rear.

Weight is a non issue. An FE with aluminum heads, intake, & waterpump weighs no more than a built Windsor or Cleveland.

 

[92ranger18]

and another thing on some of the drag engines they run a vacuum pump, what is the purpose of that?

 

[Teddyzee]

Just for fun, lift the stock cast intake from an FE. Yikes!

 

[92ranger18]

Just for fun, lift the stock cast intake from an FE. Yikes!

i bet its heavy as heck. With aluminum heads and intake it will be a heck of alot lighter.