69-74 351 block vs sportsman block

[marc soto]

i am having a delema in picking the right block for my application . i build a stroker motor 383 on a regular block with BME aluminum rods ,weisco pistons,and a steel scat crank motor made 770 hp at the wheels, and dont think it was tuned right. car made 5 passes on dyno and 3 passes on the track car detonated bad and cracked the block. I now have a good crank , rods, pistons and want to build up again. thing is i cant use my crank on a SVO block. Dont know wether to use a 69 to 74 block or the sportsman block. motor should do 800 hp at the wheels iam useing a mondo blower 25 lbs +of boost. also trying to avoid cap walk on main caps. does block fill really work in making a stonger block just need people to lead me in the right direction thanks for all your help MARC SOTO...

[Peepaw]

Use the Sportsman. Hard block keeps the cylinders from moving around. You don't need if you stay .040 or smaller, you put a .060 over, you might want to go ahead and hard block it. A good tune will help a block, a bad tune will destroy ANY block. 770 at the wheels is alot of power, but nothing a Sporstman block with a good tune can't handle. To avoid main cap walk, keep her from detonation, ARP studs, and a girdle(somewill disagree with girdle, but I like 'em) will help out. On the Sportsman, you can put 4 bolt caps on, but then you are in the price range of the W351. Hope this sheds some light for you. Peepaw

[racer7088]

Get a real block designed for the power you are making and then you can breathe easier. It's a false economy to blow stuff up all the time while "saving money" on crucial parts. Having seen many race teams go through this myself.

[swilldup]

we used a sportsman block in our renegade car,makes over 700 at the wheels ,block is filled ,.030 ,with girdle and studs and the caps walk like a *****!!!!do yourself a favor,get a four bolt block!