[jim_howard_pdx]

To build a 400+ horsepower engine, plan on spending at least 2,000 to 2,500 dollars on a block. To do a long rod, tall deck Windsor, you might not spend any extra money, but you will need to measure everything twice, check clearances and the like.

A 1970 351 Windsor core would be about 50-75.00 A full shortblock around 250.00. You do not need the full shortblock.

Have the engine decked for straightness and to square all 4 corners. (150.00). Take the minimum material necessary to accomplish this. Usually about .002 to .01 inches will need to be removed.

When the bore is enlarged, try to center the bore down the cylinders. Most blocks are bored off center. Try to get these centered if possible and reject any block that can not tolerate a .030 bore with a minimum of .18 cylinder wall thickness. I have punched holes through thin cylinder walls on an engine before.

Bore and cross hatch with a deck plate. Cost about 250.00.

Line hone the mains. Cost about 75.00 to 150.00 Have then chase all the bolt holes with a bottom tap, or do this yourself. Have all oil gallery plugs tapped for screw in plugs. NO PRESSED IN PLUGS.

Have all oil return holes chamfered for easier oil return. Some of my buddies swear by painting the inside surfaces for oil return. I am still on the bench on this one. I cannot see any difference on the dyno or at the track. I leave this one to you.

If using a stock crank, have the main journals cut .010 undersized to what ever they are. Maximum is .050. I just cut the minimum to keep it straight. Chamfer the oil holes. Have them offset grind the crank to 3.2 or 3.25 depending upon your pistons. I like to use extreme light weight Probe pistons or J&E custom slugs with .5 inch higher pin location and ring lands sized for thin racing rings. I like the Child and Alberts zero gap units. Slugs and rings will run about 700.00 The crank will run between 500 and 700 dollars for a stock nodular iron, and 1,000 to 1,500 for a forged steel crank. Check Summit out, they may have some ready to rumble for a great price.

I use an Aluminum Chrysler rod with Chevy journal and pin dimensions. 1.64 inches to 1.7 inches and alter the stroke to match the deck height. So I do try to get the most cubes I can with the cheapest parts I can. With good ARP wave lock bolts you will pay about 700.00 with pin and mounting to the pistons.

I like to get the pop top or dome piston 12.5 or 13.0 to one compression pistons. I then smooth them out completely aiming for .060 quench. .080 max along the top. I go 0.12 near the spark kernal to get a great preignition event. Coat your piston tops yourself (about 125.00, or pay up to 40.00 per piston to have it done (320). Or leave it raw. I like them coated but let the RULE BOOK decide this. Many classes do not allow custom pistons, or domed pistons, or coatings........

Use studs and a girdle, windage tray, crank scrapper, and high volume oil pump. 300.00.

Bolt it together yourself. With a good 400.00 harmonic balancer and new pressure plate or flyweel your short block will come in at about 3,000.00. Not bad for a set up that should deliver safe power to 800+HP with only a cam change.

The cam I leave up to you and your driving ambition. I like Cloyes true roller timing chains. They have an infinite adjustible model but I usually buy their street roller set up. Replacement chains every 100,000 miles cost you 17.95. Cannot beat that guys.

These are available in under size chains to take up the slack from the line honing. I have them aim the line hone for .010 crank to cam shortening, then order a .010 shorter chain!!!! This maintains your timing!.

Bolt on some Trick Flow street heat or R heads, a good intake set up, a good distributor and MSD or Crane ignition box and you are set to go. All together the engine will run less than 5 grand, and with a super charger it will run under 8 grand.

I have built 8 grand engines for kids to run Honda's at the 12 second et bracket. Here is an 8 grand engine that will build 650-700 hp and run easy 10's with slicks on a 3300lb Mustang.

Put some money in the transmission, clutch, and rear end. Set up the suspension for bite, and 9's can be yours from the very same engine. Plus you drive it home from the track dusting off unsuspecting turbo porsches JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT.....CAUSE YOU CAN!