How much stroke is too much stroke? Tall deck
11-04-2020 | 10:28 AM
#11
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From: East Tennesseee
It's not "how much is too much". But "how often do you want to go thru it" and "what will your drive train handle"? Ya, race engines us those 4.75" and even 5" strokes. They also get torn down every winter. Some after every race. And with the torque they make what drive system are you gonna destroy with them. There comes a point of diminishing returns.
The power that can be made with 4.25" or 4.5" and a big bore with proper set up is still almost obscene. It'll last without having to worry about it. And while they don't make as huge a torque number their really not down on HP by any appreciable amount.
The power that can be made with 4.25" or 4.5" and a big bore with proper set up is still almost obscene. It'll last without having to worry about it. And while they don't make as huge a torque number their really not down on HP by any appreciable amount.
11-04-2020 | 10:39 AM
#12
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From: SF Bay Area
I took the the engines apart myself that Eddie rebuilt. The pistons were slightly “egg” shaped. They were not the originals and someone had knurled the piston skirts to try to snug the pistons up in the bore. The bores showed wear but not crazy. From what I observed I would say that pistons would be more of a problem than the cylinders since it was obvious that the engines had been through at least what should have been through 3 sets of pistons but yet retained the initial bore. I know he will build you a 598 in a heartbeat but prefers not to build a 632. The cranks, rods and bearings all were good. The big chief heads, and valve train components were about gone.
With a long stroke it seems the Pistons become a sacrificial piece in the power game as they get smooshed into the cylinder walls. On the bright side the aluminum is softer that the iron block so a hone and new pistons/rings and good to go?
11-04-2020 | 02:24 PM
#13
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From: St. Pete Beach, FL
11-04-2020 | 05:04 PM
#14
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From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Unfortunately I don’t know. They had big chiefs and leaking headers. Engines wouldn’t fit side by side in the boat because of their width so they beat the headers with a sledge to get them to work. Who would ever think that would cause them to leak!
