[DeTomaso] Cleveland HP limits

Will Kooiman will.kooiman at gmail.com
Tue Jul 22 17:02:35 EDT 2014


Well put.

I used to rev the crap out of my 302 in high school.  I spun lots of
bearings, but I never broke anything so bad that I had to replace the block.
But it also had original 302 4V heads, though.  Tiny ports and valves.

I also revved the crap out of my 428 FE.  I never worried about it coming
apart.  The Y-block design feels like Fort Knox.

I don’t feel safe revving a 351C block.  As someone once said, the 302 Boss
was 9,000 RPM heads on a 6,000 RPM block.

From:  Kirby Schrader <kirby.schrader at gmail.com>
Date:  Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 1:52 PM
To:  Will Kooiman <will.kooiman at gmail.com>
Cc:  Julian Kift <julian_kift at hotmail.com>, De Tomaso List
<detomaso at poca.com>
Subject:  Re: [DeTomaso] Cleveland HP limits

On Tue, Jul 15, 2014 at 9:50 PM, Will Kooiman <will.kooiman at gmail.com>
wrote:
> I agree.
> 500HP is probably a safe limit and I don¹t know, 6,000 RPM - on a stock
> block, built right.  Sure you can go higher, but it is gambling at a point.

The original 377 stroker that I built back in 1998 turned 7000 rpm + for
many, many years.
It was my drive to work car.

I think Dave Bell called it the 'indestructible Cleveland stroker' or
something like that one time.
The thing was... it was probably only 450HP or so. When I dyno'd it on a
chassis dyno, it peaked at 366HP at the rear wheels.
Probably the reason it lasted so long....

Each time I've tried to go over 500HP, I've broken something with a
Cleveland.
I know you can do it, but it's so much easier on your peace of mind and your
wallet using an SVO or after market block.

FWIW,
Kirby
 
> 
> On 7/15/14, 10:29 AM, "Kirby Schrader" <kirby.schrader at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> >   On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 10:26 PM, Julian Kift
>> >   <[1]julian_kift at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >     A A A Before you spend any money on a build take the block and get
>> >     the
>> >     A  A cylinder wall thickness sonic checked. Just because it's a
>> >     stock block
>> >     A  A doesn't guarantee it is free of core shift.
>> >
>> >   Indeed. I had heard this stated for many years and didn't think much of
>> >   it.
>> >   Until I had a completely stock Cleveland block bored out .020".
>> >   Three cylinders had daylight showing through to the other side....
>> >   Since then, I've been a convert and started using SVO blocks.A
>> >   You end up building a 'Clevor', but they certainly stay together
>> >   better.
>> >   I had a Keith Craft engine built with an iron SVO block and some good
>> >   old 4V iron heads. It's 393ci and did 544HP on the dyno.
>> >   Very drive-able and I feel much more relaxed about beating on it.
>> >   :-)
>> >   FWIW,
>> >   Kirby
>> >   A
>> >
>> >     Better still if you are
>> >     A  A spending $$ on all those other parts why not buy an aftermarket
>> >     iron
>> >     A  A block of the likes that MME or Tod Buttermore are casting, then
>> >     you can
>> >     A  A increase the HP number somewhat and for sure be the fastest guy
>> >     on the
>> >     A  A bench.
>> >     A  A Julian
>> >     A  A Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:57:31 -0400
>> >     A  A From: [2]boyd411 at gmail.com
>> >     A  A To: [3]cengles at cox.net
>> >     A  A CC: [4]detomaso at poca.com
>> >     A  A Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Cleveland HP limits
>> >
>> >   Chuck,
>> >   I am working on a build using a sound 4 bolt main, forged crank, shot
>> >   peened and polished rods , Ported A3 heads built with high quality
>> >   roller
>> >   rockers a springs, Forged flat top springs, Arp fasteners melling oil
>> >   pump,
>> >   180 degree headers, a cust ground HR roller cam and lifters. And an IR
>> >   efi
>> >   system. The reason for my question is because the dynomation predicts
>> >   HP in
>> >   the 550- 600 range @ 6500 rpm. Someone said to me that they thought 500
>> >   hp
>> >   was the safe limit for a stock Cleveland iron block. I have heard of
>> >   stroked Cleveland iron blocks making over 600 hp so was curious to know
>> >   if
>> >   there was an accepted HP limit that one would be advised not to exceed.
>> >   (
>> >   Like piston speed) Not how much HP or torque CAN be made but how much
>> >   can
>> >   the block withstand (assuming you are using the best parts so that the
>> >   block would fail before the rotating assembly or a valve something like
>> >   one
>> >   of the mains letting go or the engine exploding. I hope this makes my
>> >   question more clear.
>> >
>> >   On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 10:30 PM, Charles Engles <[5]cengles at cox.net>
>> >   wrote:
>>> >   > Dear Boyd,
>>> >   >
>>> >   >
>>> >   > A  A  A  A  A  Oh, boy. A  An opinion question.................
>>> >   >
>>> >   >
>> >
>>> >   > A  A  A  A  A  See below.
>>> >   >
>>> >   > "Greetings Pantera brethren ! Is there an accepted HP limit for a
>> >
>>> >     > Cleveland four bolt main iron block at it's normal displacement?
>> >     No A over
>> >
>>> >   > bore, stock stroke, natural aspirated. Using heads , headers, cam,
>>> >   > ignition, all the trick valve work , porting polishing, strongest
>> >   possible
>>> >   > rotating assembly.
>>> >   > Is there a limit that one should not exceed? 550hp, 575 hp, 600 hp
>> >   higher?
>> >
>>> >     > If it is possible to reach A these HP numbers while not exceeding
>> >     7000 rpm
>> >
>>> >   > what is the DO NOT EXCEED LIMIT?"
>>> >   >
>>> >   >
>> >
>>> >     > 1) A Answer: it all depends on dozens and dozens of details. A
>> >     Block
>> >
>>> >   > quality, budget, application for street, track days or ORR or drag
>> >   racing,
>>> >   > carb v. efi., dollars, etc, etc.
>>> >   >
>>> >   >
>> >
>>> >     > 2) A New question: Given a reasonable Cleveland block, reasonable
>> >     4V quench
>> >
>>> >   > heads, stock rotating assembly, new pistons, new intake manifold and
>> >   a
>> >
>>> >     > reasonable budget (what does that mean?) what can you do? A  Well,
>> >     it
>>> >     > depends. A  It depends on the application. A It depends on the
>> >     machinist and
>>> >     > the engine builder. A I am not an engine expert, but I have built
>> >     four
>> >
>>> >   > engines and I am about to finish another one and I am making plans
>> >   for the
>> >
>>> >     > next one. A  Facts: a rookie can build a 400 hp engine with stock
>> >     block,
>>> >     > crank, rods and heads plus after market bits. A Rpm max about 6000
>> >     before
>>> >     > valve float. A  More attention to detail can result in a 485 hp
>> >     engine and a
>>> >     > 6,500 rpm limit before valve float. A The current engine with the
>> >     same
>> >
>>> >   > formula but pushed a little harder with a lighter and more expensive
>> >   valve
>> >
>>> >     > train is expected to see 500 or so HP with a 7000 rpm limit. A
>> >     The cost
>>> >     > goes up with HP and rpm limit. A  The higher goal you set will
>> >     require
>>> >     > higher dollars.
>>> >     >
>>> >     > 3) A I expect that given solid lifters, an aggressive cam, high
>> >     compression
>> >
>>> >   > ratio, race gas, EFI and a relatively short functional life span
>> >   numbers
>>> >   > north of 550 hp and 7000 rpm can be obtained.
>>> >   >
>>> >   >
>> >
>>> >   > A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A Warmest regards, A Chuck Engles
>>> >   >
>>> >   >
>>> >   >
>> >   A  A _______________________________________________ Detomaso Forum
>> >   Managed
>> >   A  A by POCA DeTomaso mailing list [6]DeTomaso at poca.com
>> >   A  A [7]http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
>> >
>> >     _______________________________________________
>> >     Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
>> >     DeTomaso mailing list
>> >     [8]DeTomaso at poca.com
>> >     [9]http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
>> >
>> >References
>> >
>> >   1. mailto:julian_kift at hotmail.com
>> >   2. mailto:boyd411 at gmail.com
>> >   3. mailto:cengles at cox.net
>> >   4. mailto:detomaso at poca.com
>> >   5. mailto:cengles at cox.net
>> >   6. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
>> >   7. http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
>> >   8. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
>> >   9. http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
>> >_______________________________________________
>> >
>> >Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
>> >
>> >DeTomaso mailing list
>> >DeTomaso at poca.com
>> >http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
> 
> 



-------------- next part --------------
   Well put.

   I used to rev the crap out of my 302 in high school.  I spun lots of
   bearings, but I never broke anything so bad that I had to replace the
   block.  But it also had original 302 4V heads, though.  Tiny ports and
   valves.

   I also revved the crap out of my 428 FE.  I never worried about it
   coming apart.  The Y-block design feels like Fort Knox.

   I don't feel safe revving a 351C block.  As someone once said, the 302
   Boss was 9,000 RPM heads on a 6,000 RPM block.

   From: Kirby Schrader <[1]kirby.schrader at gmail.com>
   Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 1:52 PM
   To: Will Kooiman <[2]will.kooiman at gmail.com>
   Cc: Julian Kift <[3]julian_kift at hotmail.com>, De Tomaso List
   <[4]detomaso at poca.com>
   Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Cleveland HP limits

   On Tue, Jul 15, 2014 at 9:50 PM, Will Kooiman
   <[5]will.kooiman at gmail.com> wrote:

     I agree.
     500HP is probably a safe limit and I don(c)oet know, 6,000 RPM - on
     a stock
     block, built right.  Sure you can go higher, but it is gambling at a
     point.

   The original 377 stroker that I built back in 1998 turned 7000 rpm +
   for many, many years.
   It was my drive to work car.
   I think Dave Bell called it the 'indestructible Cleveland stroker' or
   something like that one time.
   The thing was... it was probably only 450HP or so. When I dyno'd it on
   a chassis dyno, it peaked at 366HP at the rear wheels.
   Probably the reason it lasted so long....
   Each time I've tried to go over 500HP, I've broken something with a
   Cleveland.
   I know you can do it, but it's so much easier on your peace of mind and
   your wallet using an SVO or after market block.
   FWIW,
   Kirby

     On 7/15/14, 10:29 AM, "Kirby Schrader" <[6]kirby.schrader at gmail.com>
     wrote:
     >   On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 10:26 PM, Julian Kift
     >   <[1][7]julian_kift at hotmail.com> wrote:
     >
     >     A A A Before you spend any money on a build take the block and
     get
     >     the
     >     A  A cylinder wall thickness sonic checked. Just because it's
     a
     >     stock block
     >     A  A doesn't guarantee it is free of core shift.
     >
     >   Indeed. I had heard this stated for many years and didn't think
     much of
     >   it.
     >   Until I had a completely stock Cleveland block bored out .020".
     >   Three cylinders had daylight showing through to the other
     side....
     >   Since then, I've been a convert and started using SVO blocks.A
     >   You end up building a 'Clevor', but they certainly stay together
     >   better.
     >   I had a Keith Craft engine built with an iron SVO block and some
     good
     >   old 4V iron heads. It's 393ci and did 544HP on the dyno.
     >   Very drive-able and I feel much more relaxed about beating on
     it.
     >   :-)
     >   FWIW,
     >   Kirby
     >   A
     >
     >     Better still if you are
     >     A  A spending $$ on all those other parts why not buy an
     aftermarket
     >     iron
     >     A  A block of the likes that MME or Tod Buttermore are
     casting, then
     >     you can
     >     A  A increase the HP number somewhat and for sure be the
     fastest guy
     >     on the
     >     A  A bench.
     >     A  A Julian
     >     A  A Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:57:31 -0400
     >     A  A From: [2][8]boyd411 at gmail.com
     >     A  A To: [3][9]cengles at cox.net
     >     A  A CC: [4][10]detomaso at poca.com
     >     A  A Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Cleveland HP limits
     >
     >   Chuck,
     >   I am working on a build using a sound 4 bolt main, forged crank,
     shot
     >   peened and polished rods , Ported A3 heads built with high
     quality
     >   roller
     >   rockers a springs, Forged flat top springs, Arp fasteners
     melling oil
     >   pump,
     >   180 degree headers, a cust ground HR roller cam and lifters. And
     an IR
     >   efi
     >   system. The reason for my question is because the dynomation
     predicts
     >   HP in
     >   the 550- 600 range @ 6500 rpm. Someone said to me that they
     thought 500
     >   hp
     >   was the safe limit for a stock Cleveland iron block. I have
     heard of
     >   stroked Cleveland iron blocks making over 600 hp so was curious
     to know
     >   if
     >   there was an accepted HP limit that one would be advised not to
     exceed.
     >   (
     >   Like piston speed) Not how much HP or torque CAN be made but how
     much
     >   can
     >   the block withstand (assuming you are using the best parts so
     that the
     >   block would fail before the rotating assembly or a valve
     something like
     >   one
     >   of the mains letting go or the engine exploding. I hope this
     makes my
     >   question more clear.
     >
     >   On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 10:30 PM, Charles Engles
     <[5][11]cengles at cox.net>
     >   wrote:
     >   > Dear Boyd,
     >   >
     >   >
     >   > A  A  A  A  A  Oh, boy. A  An opinion
     question.................
     >   >
     >   >
     >
     >   > A  A  A  A  A  See below.
     >   >
     >   > "Greetings Pantera brethren ! Is there an accepted HP limit
     for a
     >
     >     > Cleveland four bolt main iron block at it's normal
     displacement?
     >     No A over
     >
     >   > bore, stock stroke, natural aspirated. Using heads , headers,
     cam,
     >   > ignition, all the trick valve work , porting polishing,
     strongest
     >   possible
     >   > rotating assembly.
     >   > Is there a limit that one should not exceed? 550hp, 575 hp,
     600 hp
     >   higher?
     >
     >     > If it is possible to reach A these HP numbers while not
     exceeding
     >     7000 rpm
     >
     >   > what is the DO NOT EXCEED LIMIT?"
     >   >
     >   >
     >
     >     > 1) A Answer: it all depends on dozens and dozens of details.
     A
     >     Block
     >
     >   > quality, budget, application for street, track days or ORR or
     drag
     >   racing,
     >   > carb v. efi., dollars, etc, etc.
     >   >
     >   >
     >
     >     > 2) A New question: Given a reasonable Cleveland block,
     reasonable
     >     4V quench
     >
     >   > heads, stock rotating assembly, new pistons, new intake
     manifold and
     >   a
     >
     >     > reasonable budget (what does that mean?) what can you do? A
      Well,
     >     it
     >     > depends. A  It depends on the application. A It depends on
     the
     >     machinist and
     >     > the engine builder. A I am not an engine expert, but I have
     built
     >     four
     >
     >   > engines and I am about to finish another one and I am making
     plans
     >   for the
     >
     >     > next one. A  Facts: a rookie can build a 400 hp engine with
     stock
     >     block,
     >     > crank, rods and heads plus after market bits. A Rpm max
     about 6000
     >     before
     >     > valve float. A  More attention to detail can result in a 485
     hp
     >     engine and a
     >     > 6,500 rpm limit before valve float. A The current engine
     with the
     >     same
     >
     >   > formula but pushed a little harder with a lighter and more
     expensive
     >   valve
     >
     >     > train is expected to see 500 or so HP with a 7000 rpm limit.
     A
     >     The cost
     >     > goes up with HP and rpm limit. A  The higher goal you set
     will
     >     require
     >     > higher dollars.
     >     >
     >     > 3) A I expect that given solid lifters, an aggressive cam,
     high
     >     compression
     >
     >   > ratio, race gas, EFI and a relatively short functional life
     span
     >   numbers
     >   > north of 550 hp and 7000 rpm can be obtained.
     >   >
     >   >
     >
     >   > A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A Warmest regards, A Chuck
     Engles
     >   >
     >   >
     >   >
     >   A  A _______________________________________________ Detomaso
     Forum
     >   Managed
     >   A  A by POCA DeTomaso mailing list [6][12]DeTomaso at poca.com
     >   A  A [7][13]http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
     >
     >     _______________________________________________
     >     Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
     >     DeTomaso mailing list
     >     [8][14]DeTomaso at poca.com
     >     [9][15]http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
     >
     >References
     >
     >   1. mailto:[16]julian_kift at hotmail.com
     >   2. mailto:[17]boyd411 at gmail.com
     >   3. mailto:[18]cengles at cox.net
     >   4. mailto:[19]detomaso at poca.com
     >   5. mailto:[20]cengles at cox.net
     >   6. mailto:[21]DeTomaso at poca.com
     >   7. [22]http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
     >   8. mailto:[23]DeTomaso at poca.com
     >   9. [24]http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
     >_______________________________________________
     >
     >Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
     >
     >DeTomaso mailing list
     >[25]DeTomaso at poca.com
     >[26]http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com

References

   1. mailto:kirby.schrader at gmail.com
   2. mailto:will.kooiman at gmail.com
   3. mailto:julian_kift at hotmail.com
   4. mailto:detomaso at poca.com
   5. mailto:will.kooiman at gmail.com
   6. mailto:kirby.schrader at gmail.com
   7. mailto:julian_kift at hotmail.com
   8. mailto:boyd411 at gmail.com
   9. mailto:cengles at cox.net
  10. mailto:detomaso at poca.com
  11. mailto:cengles at cox.net
  12. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
  13. http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
  14. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
  15. http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
  16. mailto:julian_kift at hotmail.com
  17. mailto:boyd411 at gmail.com
  18. mailto:cengles at cox.net
  19. mailto:detomaso at poca.com
  20. mailto:cengles at cox.net
  21. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
  22. http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
  23. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
  24. http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com
  25. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
  26. http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com


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