- Fontana aluminum block
- Block is 9.2" deck height
- 4.125" bore
- 4 bolt steel main caps (on all 5 mains, splayed on 2, 3, and 4)
- 2.750" mains (for Cleveland crank)
- Cleveland cam bearings
- Windsor oil system layout but Cleveland oil pan rails
- Has wet sump provision but is currently plugged for dry sump (one plug)
- Has pad for internal oil pump (not just external wet sump)
- Bare block weight = 116 lbs
- Block requires a specific Fontana front cover (included)
- Windsor real seal rail shape

The seller said the engine had 20 hours run time (made 825 HP on dyno).
when there was a partial piston failure (burned & collapsed dome) which
scored the cylinder wall. Shaver Racing replaced sleeve and welded a
water leak near freeze plugs. Nothing has been done since. Just needs
a hone on new cylinder to 4.125". It has not been decked or machined.

Tom (the seller) said he personally took the block to Joe Fontana who
inspected it himself (along with his engine guy) and said it was in
perfect condition. Tom also had his own engine builder (Performance
Machine) inspect the block and they agreed with Joe Fontana that it is
an "excellent block".

Does anyone have any experience with Fontana blocks or aluminum racing
blocks? I'm interested in any differences relative to a 351C block
and on any clearances that should be different from an iron block build.
I plan on calling Joe Fontana for his input.
I believe the 347 stroker kits use pistons with pin heights in the
I believe the 347 stroker kits use pistons with pin heights in the
1.1" range but have a reputation for being oil burners and being

hard on the rings. I do know of some 1.2" pin height Cleveland
Assuming zero deck, with a 4" stroke and 6" rods, the stack height
strokers which seem to be doing okay.

works out to be:

..piston pin height = deck height - (rod length + crank stroke/2)
................... = 9.2 - (6.0 + 4.0/2)
................... = 1.2 inches

A 4.100" stroke would yield a 1.15" pin height and a 4.125" stroke
would yield a pin height of 1.1375 inches.

4.125" bore x 4.000" stroke = 428 cubic inches
4.125" bore x 4.100" stroke = 438 cubic inches
4.125" bore x 4.125" stroke = 441 cubic inches

Anyone have experience with strokers? I need to decide on a final
stroke before ordering the pistons. I know 4.0" stroke cranks are
readily available from both Eagle and SCAT with 351C main diameters
and SCAT lists a 4.1" stroke for 351C mains. 4.125" would probably
need to be an offset ground 400 crank or a custom forging. Anyone
have a preference for SCAT or Eagle (or other crank manufacturer)?

The 4.125" bore means no notches on the block needed for the
canted valve heads which is a good thing when fitting the stroker
piston ring pack. I believe the 347 stroker kits use pistons with
pin heights in the 1.1" range but have a reputation for being oil
burners and for being hard on the rings. I do know of some 1.2" pin
height Cleveland strokers which seem to be doing okay. This is for
my mostly street Pantera and I'm leaning towards a 4" stroke. The
extra cubes of the long strokes would be nice but not if it compromises
reliabilty.

Thanks Much
Dan Jones.

P.S. Pictures of the block at:

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'69 Mustang Fastback, 351C, Holley 950 HP, New Parker Funnelweb intake, ported 4-v quench heads, 10.75:1, UD pulley, windage tray, Top Loader, 3.89 9" rear
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but 428 cubes has such a nice ring to it :-)

> Since it is a 9.2 block, I wouldn't go past 3.90 stroke if it were mine.

3.9" stroke is a 1.25" pin height versus 1.2" for a 4.0" stroke.
Does 0.05" really make a diference? I'm not so concerned about
piston speed as much as I am about piston stability in the bore.

> Ya know SCAT makes fairly cheap 4340 forged cranks in a lot of different
> stroker now.......

Yes, I've noticed that. Are SCAT cranks any better or worse than
Eagle? My friend with the 418W is running a 4340 4.1" stroke Eagle
crank. No problems yet but not many miles, either.

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Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
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