Also, I am installing a Erson cam P/N ERS-E210121 with 214 degrees duration @ .050 and .478 Int./Exh. lift. What would be the difference installing 1.6 or 1.7 roller rockers?

I am trying to build a sleeper that will still hold a smooth idle, am I going the wrong way?

With a mild cam like that, you will be keeping the rpm's low. If you are, you can probably get away with stock chrysler 360 rods and heavy forged pistons. But the engine will have all the power and torque of a 455 Oldsmobile! Gear it tall and roast tires all over town.

The main thing to remember with strokers is piston speed. As stroke increases so does the speed of the piston between stopped at t.d.c. and stopped again at b.d.c., etc. The 351 is already a stroked 289 with long rods. The 289's piston speed at 7000 rpm is the same as a 351 at apprx. 6000 rpm, and a stroker maybe more like 4800 rpm. The point of this babble is that a stroker kit should contain great rods and pistons that won't be pulled apart by the piston speed at "high" rpms. That way you can take advantage of those cubic inches. My 'opinion' the kit is worth it.

Note that this was over 3 years ago and the cheaper $650 aftermarket cranks were not around yet.

I prefer my stroker setup over the larger ones for several reasons. It is a 383 ci. 3.70 stroke X 4.060 bore. Would be a 377 if it had a 4.030 bore.

The 377/383 has a better rod ratio when compared to the 400+ ci strokers, the crank is 10 times easier to balance because you start with a 351 crank to begin with. The 400 cranks have to be cut down and are very hard to balance. Also the 400 + motors require killer heads to perform to potential. The 377/383 can live with less $$$ heads. The big strokers also are living on the edge at anything over 63-6400 rpm. Again due to the crank.

If I was going to do a 400+ it would be with and aftermarket crank from the start.

Later,

Heads: People keep forgetting about the Windsor Sr. heads. Out of the box they leave a bit to be desired, but they are easy to home port and show big gains with just cutting the casting flash out. Not too hard to get them into the same flow range as the Victor Jrs for alot less cash. Been there, doing that. You can get a set with upgraded springs and bowl porting already done for ~$900 new. (Mine were from Keith Craft Racing, ordered w/ roller springs, pc seals, valves and bowl port, did the runners myself)

Will be interesting to see what Jack Roush does with them. He has taken over the design/production of these heads and has made some changes. Has a 165cc head, a 200 cc and also has a new 220 cc on the drawing board.

Later,