Reply to "373 engine build"

Steve,

373 cubic inches is a 3.7" stroke crankshaft with a 0.010" overbore. This odd combination makes me wonder if the aluminum block you're running isn't perhaps an old Ford experimental block from the '70s (an XE block). If so, its still a great block, a cut above an everyday cast iron production block. Desireable because it is rare and made of aluminum, but not as desireable as a Ford Racing parts, Dart or Fontana block.

If it is not an XE block, then most likely this engine was built by a professional engine builder, you should contact the previous owner & get the name of the builder, he will be able to tell you exactly what you have.

Your non-XE aluminum block, whether its a Ford Racing Parts, Dart or Fontana block, is a GREAT engine block, the Ford & Dart blocks are in the $4K price range, and the Fontana block is even more (the Ford block is a dry sump only block, you most likely have either a Fontana or Dart block). Same with your aluminum cylinder heads, they are either Ford Motorsport A3, B351, C302, Yates, Brodix, Blue Thunder, CHI or AFD. They are all racing parts capable of supporting huge amounts of horsepower. If you need more, you should only have to bore, stroke & re-cam the engine.

You have no need to fear aluminum parts being prone to blowing head gaskets. Properly assembled, they are reliable.

My suggestion is 2 fold, contact the engine builder if possible; then take your car to a chassis dyno and see "what she can do". 400 bhp on a chassis dyno equates to 500 bhp at the crank.

George