5.0L FORD BLOCK SPLITTING-FACT OR FICTION?

FULL 5.0L FORD RESULTS. DOES IT REALLY SPLIT AT 500 HP? IF NOT, WHAT IS THE REAL NUMBER? IS IT POWER? IS IT TORQUE? IS IT DETONATION? CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO WHERE WE RAN 10 DIFFERENT 5.0L COMBOS AT OVER 500 HP USING NITROUS, BLOWERS AND TURBOS. PLUS STORIES ON MY OWN SUPERCHARGED 5.0L RUN AT WOT FOR 32 MINUTES-DID I EVER HAVE A 5.0L BLOCK SPLIT?

[@merylpelosi8485]

I built and refreshed a .040 over 289 for a guy years ago. Every year his budget got bigger, but he wouldn't have a 302 or 351. Cast crank, side ground and shot peened stock rods with 5/16 ARP rod bolts. Got the compression up past 12.5 -1, roller cam etc. I begged him to keep it under 6500 rpm. Engine lasted 2-1/2 years until the stock oil pump drive broke at around 7800 rpm. Replaced the crank and 2 rods. Back at the track in 6 days. Car still has same block today, 38 years later.

[@8000RPM.]

Do you still build engines? Wanna rebuild mine?

[@ls6-ss413]

I love it bro. A 289 gets up there quick with proper balance. Pure music 👍. And that is coming from a Chevy guy.

[@mfree80286]

@osp80 Ehhh, not by much. If you're looking to go that way there's a run of 70's Mexican windsor blocks that were done in a high-nickel cast iron.

[@CP110]

@@hondatech5000 7m cranks are forged and all those main caps help keep the crank from deforming, were you running a stock turbo?

[@angelobovara317]

An old 289 is not a cost cutting 5.0 HO. The 289 is stronger.

[@williameltringham7559]

I have been racing small block Fords for almost 40 years .l have had 302 blocks with close to 600 hp and never split a block but back then there was no internet maybe that's why I never split a block.

[@watsisbuttndo829]

You may be on to something. Got my missus an iphone and facebook split my marriage clean in two . Stupid internet!.

[@fascistpedant758]

What you don't know can't hurt you!

[@mikemoscato2995]

Several weeks ago I have seen a video where a 302 block did split in half across and underneath the camshaft.

[@jasonamerica7618]

I ran across a video somewhere and the guy had a filled 351 making good power. He split that thing completely in half. I heard the Windsor’s were stronger. I don’t know for sure but I’m not going to risk expensive parts on a possible block splitting

[@samdaniels1856]

Would the same test hold true for the early 302/289 blocks.

[@BREW2LFOXBODY]

Well.... didn’t we just talk about this? Thanks Richard 💪 keep the RPM low and good harmonics

[@robertturner1059]

I’ve been running a 95 roller block for 2 yrs now. It’s on a 200 shot of nitrous, heads cam intake carb set up. It’s at 602 hp, no issues at all. About 120 10lbs bottles thru it, still strong.

[@NN072288]

Probably casting lottery. Imperfections in the castings.

[@thetriode]

I was going to say toss of the dice.

[@corystansbury]

Came to say this. Figure this plus peak cylinder pressure as relates to tuning and parts selection.

[@DWBmotorsports]

Happened to me every after magnaflux and sonic checked. What a shame

[@peterlast3200]

My thoughts too.

[@leepederson5254]

That bad luck plus a specific harmonic I would think.

[@pennysgarage]

I saw a 600hp+ 347 stroker split. The crank was in great shape after the failure and was measured to be over 100g out of balance. With the short deck, I think it is because of high RPM without having an internally balanced rotating assembly.

[@Minicarter101]

I have read and think it's the balancing aswell, too much external pressure and vibration for the thin lifter valley

[@pranays]

Yeah I have to agree internal balancing is important for higher HP

[@cammontreuil7509]

Mickey Thompson ran many different blocks at high RPM. He said changing rpm changes the load on an engine, which adds the most stresses. He said keeping an engine at a constant rpm, even high RPM, the engine will live longer than up and down RPMs. He took 2 mustangs to the salt flats in 1969. His comments on engine's is priceless.

[@hottskulls2878]

being a machinist my guess would most likely be an inconsistency in the casting material/block, things like the way its cooled after casting can effect and impuritys in castings, hard spots, air pockets,softer than normal blocks,core shift ect there are many reasons a block could split and it might just be the block at fault as mass production some times cuts a few corners to make production numbers.people used to let blocks bake in the sun once to harden them up not sure it works thou

[@jesselong9309]

This guy is awesome been watching all his videos lately. awesome work and so much time gone in to all this

[@joenobody2580]

Had no idea it was his research I was reading in mmff all the 5.0 years

[@Scootermagoo]

Being one of the old farts around here, and being a small block ford guy, I was always told via magazines that the hydraulic roller blocks could develop cracks in the lifter valley out past 550/600hp and could for short term run 750+. And that early non roller blocks could take more sustained loads and rpm. I've never seen a test showing that problem, I have seen split blocks, but not the circumstances why they were split. what I've never understood is how a 2 bolt main block could keep the mains in it long enough to split the block.. I've always figured it was detonation that killed the block, not the actual hp number. And this probably stems from 1 guy with a bad block on a dyno and a couple turbos not retarding timing, and people perpetuated the myth.

[@msk3905]

Another small ford block here too messing with them back in early 90s and I heard everywhere “over 500hp you’re on borrowed time.” So weird because I ran 650 Hp & 670 lb ft for years on 1989 5.0 block and never cracked? My opinion is RPM, vibrations and poor tunes kill the block not the power levels, I’d a sportsman block absolutely.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

Harmonics split the block or the lifter valley.

[@chunkafunk81]

great point

[@popeyeman69]

WFO for 32 minutes!? Dude you are a hero :-)

[@BustedWalletGarage]

It’s when the stock harmonic balancer comes apart and the motor “ shakes the baby “ until bad stuff happens.

[@luketeverino6085]

Spend good money on those for sure.

[@timothybayliss6680]

The balance factor is in the harmonic ring on a 302/5.0...if it slips a bit, things end quickly

[@ls6-ss413]

EVERY 302 engine I've ever ran lost the stock balancer🤙🏼 granted I beat the hell out of them but why else would you own a 302 😁

[@TheTeeroy32]

@@ls6-ss413 hell yeah mate. I'm an Aussie and I had a 2000 Falcon Ute with a 302 5 speed. That thing loved a thrashing, till I had a bottle of rum, argument with the missus, and promptly parked it shiny side down and rubber side up.

[@ls6-ss413]

@@TheTeeroy32 I think we could get along brother 😉. Bet she sounded good doing it though. Nothing like proving the old lady wrong than flipping the car😁. My grandfather was a genuine rum runner. They called flipping the car going tits up 🤙🏼🙂

[@terraboundmisfit]

Detonation and RPM. Another great video Richard!!!

[@davidtaylor9508]

Running 13lbs on my explorer p-head block with only aftermarket pistons. The assembly was balanced with the lighter pistons. This video gives me some confidence to upgrade to AFR heads and shoot for the 600 mark!

[@slowstang88]

Use an aftermarket balancer if you haven't already. Stock balancers can slip at higher power levels and RPM and cause bad things

[@Oldsoldiersays]

back in 95-98 I ran true street in my 90 coupe 'junkyard refugee' you're old school, friends with jim from mmff so you may remember it. won best sleeper ie ugliest car award in baytown in 96 for its 5 color paint hah. anyways I was running a north texas performance 347 stroker short with tfs twisted heads with a 750 double on it, was using a nos 200 wet kit. Between all the true street events and the dallas/ft worth street racing I probably ran 150 bottles through that motor. It trapped 127, no idea on power we didn't have access to dyno's back then. In 98 I won a texas turbo twin turbo kit for winning an event and swapped over to that with a 1050 dom, I did get on their dyno for that and put down 720 to the wheels through a tremec 5 speed. I ran it for just over a year like that until I wrecked it in a race. The guy I sold the motor to had it split a few months later. As someone mentioned I suspect it had to do with balance, the "rattler" and "fluid damper" were just becoming a thing around then and most people were just slapping old balancers on their cars, not wanting to pony up 350+(in 1998 that was ALOT) for a silly balancer. I believe it was balance and harmonics from high rpm that splits blocks.

[@chestrockwell8328]

very nice... what RPM was the "high rpm" your engine dealt with on a regular basis?

[@Oldsoldiersays]

@@chestrockwell8328 it was a 7500 rpm motor. remember, back in the day, smf motor, no dyno to know exactly when power peak was, just trial and error. Came with an F cam, swapped to a lunati custom grind around 580 lift with 24..8ish? duration, but was runing 1.72 rollers so probably like a 615 with those. 10.5 to 1 motor with the 58cc heads and pistons

[@Oldsoldiersays]

@@chestrockwell8328 also, im aware 7500 isn't considered high anymore, hell i turn my *EDIT*(damned phone fat fingers, 598 not 528 hah)598 to that, but this car saw 10,000 miles a year on the street, i drove it to each event, I didn't own a trailer or a truck, carried my m&h racemasters in my back seat =p

[@chestrockwell8328]

@@Oldsoldiersays Thanks for replying with additional details. Yeah some people think 6k is high rpm, 7500 is getting there in my book and more than the engine i'm buliding will need. I agree 8k+ is the new common. What valve springs were you using? stock crank? pedestal, stud, or shaft mount rocker arms?

[@Oldsoldiersays]

@@chestrockwell8328 far as valve springs, i claim ignorance, they came with the cam from lunati, i called them and they set me up with cam, springs etc. The short block was a 100% forged setup by north texas performance, I believe they sourced ford racing crate 347 and went through it to balance and double check. If I recall correct they were crane 1.72 pedastal rollers. Oh, one unique fact, I ran a gear drive instead of timing chain. Sounded like a blower car, though most people who had never heard a blower car before would run over and tell me my car was out of oil lol.

[@drbendaroo9610]

It's gotta be the flowmasters.....

[@jamesduffey4442]

Hillbilly smoking cigarettes maybe haha

[@natek4139]

😂that’s hilarious

[@GucciBodyBags]

Flow disasters is what i call them lol

[@PCMenten]

It’s overtightening the bolts on the intake manifold that pries the heads apart. Now, start ringing the block with detonation and you split the block.

[@brettkelly1436]

My stock roller block 347 with twin turbos made 700 to the tyre and ran 9.3’s at 150 for years and never split a block, broke plenty of gearbox’s, I always only ran race gas and meth injection at the track so I think it has a lot to do with detonation or bad tune.

[@KingJT80]

BUt how can they build two engines and one split and the other was almost breaking 9s?

[@jrcs-s7544]

@mrhazel not all castings end up with the same production quality, unfortunately :/ ...might be a little luck of the draw to it

[@KingJT80]

@@jrcs-s7544 yep +/- Id say if someone were to build a 347 N\A and spin it 6500 theyd probably be ok without a power addder Hes done it in this channel and made 500 with brodix LH17 heads and a big cam like 240s 250s hydro roller almost if not .600 lift and 10.5:1 I mean you are taking an 8.2 block with 7/16th head bolts and a big stroke crank and putting the wood to it at that point Bout time to step up to a 351 9.5 deck and 1/2 inch heads bolts

[@Oldsoldiersays]

well in the early days, we were always after mexican blocks. for the iron in them if i remember right.

[@KingJT80]

@@Oldsoldiersays yeah I hear that all the time Getting hard to find nowadays

[@RyTrapp0]

I don't think that the "splits at 500" should be taken literally, but rather it's contextually relevant advice for the "AVERAGE" guy building a stock block 5.0l in his garage. Ford is notorious for their thin block castings in their pushrod V8s - no, not because people claim this, but because *Ford themselves* HEAVILY invested in this from the '60s on. And, they did it for reasons why you would want to - to reduce weight per displacement! Unfortunately, as a self proclaimed gearhead/car guy first and a Ford guy second, for us HP junkies, this leaves us with blocks that often can't be bored out as much as competing brands and, in the case of the 5.0l, what I believe is a just plain fragile block. It isn't 'weak', it isn't 'poorly designed', as shown in this video and by many other builders, a thorough detail oriented build can push these engines pretty far with stock iron, but I believe that they are fragile. BUT, the problem is that there just isn't a lot of margin for error with these blocks that you typically get with other engines(including other Ford pushrod V8s; 351s can reach up around 1000, 460s can handle WELL over 1000). And, with so many guys throwing these things together in their garbages, you're more likely to issues arise, and HP/torque only magnifies these issues. With other engines, they'll put up with some of this before failing, while, IMO, the more fragile 5.0l is prone to failure in these instances. And, it just so happens that right around 500HP is where these issues start to become too much for these blocks. It isn't the HP output that's splitting them, but it's issues(mild detonation for instance) AT these HP levels that start splitting them. ...that's my complete and utter conjecture anyway!

[@doctordifferentialspeedsho9506]

Good answer!

[@merylpelosi8485]

That's where the Windsor got the name "Thin wall Hank".

[@thereal2scummy636]

"In there garbages" hahaha what an excellent auto spelling

[@CanadaBud23]

I think that's pretty much it. How many times I've had someone come into my shop and split the block. It's mostly not building the motor to reinforce the weaknesses of them. You can make good power out of these things but tuning is vital with these motors to reliably make over 500hp with them. At least that's what I see.

[@8000RPM.]

@Radeonr9280x A you know boring also increases cubes,....right?

[@nadronnocojr]

So cool , Love when myths are explained and sometimes busted , great video learning so much with every video thanks

[@ivancolesnic]

"The internet isn't always accurate" that should be in the Bible or something. Maybe in the Pledge of Allegiance, or the National Anthem.

[@jayknight139]

It is in the bible.

[@PeeterPuncher]

Proper tuning is a big factor. My Incon twin turbo system on a basically stock 306 on 12 psi was 513 at the wheels. Had a Crane 2031 and kept the shifts below 6500. Ran this setup for 6 years and thousands of miles. Then sold the car.....the current owner is still driving it with the same setup.

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

I just can’t wait until one of those Ford “Godzilla” engines Lands in your possession. 😉

[@richardtyler8922]

😬😬😬😬

[@douglascooper1987]

Richards' Words To Live By"Everything Is Better With BOOST"!!

[@mariowhite3626]

Somebody already boosted 1, didn't see all the numbers but it made 1100hp

[@robert23497]

How much do they cost with a management system to make it run? It would be AWESOME if ford built one with an aluminum block and all forged internals with 600 horse/600 lb/ft in a crate package for around $15,000. I believe you can buy the supercharged LS from chevy with 640 horsepower for.....15,000. Anyway, I'm I die hard ford nut with a 65 mustang coupe with 289 V8 AND an 89 5.0 fox body gt with the t5 trans. The 65 is a factory 3 speed auto. Just thought I would start a conversation with fellow motorheads for their thoughts.

[@anthonyrybczynski5420]

@@robert23497 you can't buy a supercharged crate for 15000. Maybe 35000.

[@YourMomOnMyXbox]

Always the most informative videos nice job!

[@fullnoyz7670]

I’m thankful for this channel

[@boostedperformance4529]

I think it's torque and tuning has a big part of it. My buddy has one with 650 horsepower stock block and he launches that car at 5,000 RPMs with slicks and it won't die. He does have AR fasteners in the bottom end and the head studs. You should do more ford videos

[@robertrosetta908]

I've heard about the small block splitting but never personally witnessed one and often wondered why ,what and how ? Now that I've seen this I have same questions as you ,interesting!!!!

[@demontech06]

As a seasoned engine builder, I've seen the 302's hold together very well if tuned properly. Improper timing, incomplete combustions events, or improper parts will destroy an engine. Nitrous kits have come a long way in the last 20 years. Most racers had kits that were just "smacking" the engine with 150hp or 250hp kits. Progressive Nitrous controller was a great addition to the drag racing world. I have actually seen these blocks crack or split completely. Great video

[@erenzoscroggins8056]

That's why your channel is way better than other people trying to do the same or forget to mention why they think stuff don't work and the PROOF... Great info Richard that's why I can't wait to see the max HP and Trq on the 455 Buick on boost 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@adventurewagen]

Glad to see all this ford content, building a 347 for my little 84 flareside right now and wanting about 500 hp

[@allmotorhash]

LS crap was getting boring

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

honestly, a shit ton of hp isnt worth it on the street imo.

[@adventurewagen]

@@frigglebiscuit7484 I dunno, my 650 hp 12 valve is quite fun.

[@marccres6619]

5 block 5 splits ,just after the 600 hp mark, 2 where drag cars ,and the others where street cars, the one happen in a road race, it is not the balance, and they where all around the same year blocks late 80s. We think it is a load to take off, and the last block we had on the dyno, did not split but was cracked. So there are even more people in my area that this has happen . It will be interesting to hear your view.

[@gmangasco6700]

That's awesome to hear about you racing!! Thank you for sharing

[@karenthomson9749]

Thank you Richard great info 👍🏻

[@ccchicken8889]

Back 20+ years ago, my 100,000 mile stock block 302 h/c/i single turbo fox body was probably making 600 hp or so, judging by 110 mph in the 1/8 @3300 lbs. This was with old-school backroads tuning too, no idea what was really going on like with a wideband o2. It never went over 6k rpm, maybe that helped it live. Many people say turbos are easier on motors too. I know if I had to do it all over again, it would still be turbo and low-ish rpms for the theory of making a stock block live.

[@kwik440]

I have always thought, that simply over torquing the intake bolts on this type of configuration would contribute to splitting a block, the intake would act like a huge wedge,since the bolts are vertical . and the intake is a wedge.

[@czorr1997]

I really enjoyed this video and I hope this comment finds you! To answer the question at the end of the video "It just can happen" I am logged in under a personal account but well know in the tuning market for small block fords with foxbody's in general EEC-IV or standalone. The beauty of understanding is from well respected engine builders that breakdown a motor and tell you why it let lose. Detonation is usually a easy give away because it is seen. As we never want it to happen, but honest advice I can say when a block splits or internals just dissolve you will know if tuning is correct or not. Funny, though Turbo combos are very efficient set up correctly and usually more forgiving then a blower combo at the same power level in some cases. When the tune is spot on then it all depends on the engine staying happy from its birth =) all factors considered.

[@rchoper21]

My guess is detonation. I've been curious of your combination for a long time. Awesome! I run a stock block 347 w vortec s trim.

[@B0RN2RACE100]

Im loving those techno intros. It’s like sex, but with turbos and superchargers

[@fmsracing442]

Since the block cracked during street testing, it was probably a fuel octane issue that caused detonation which transferred those harmonics to the crank and cracked the block.

[@markmccarty727]

Think it's the tune. Never broke a block. Cracked pistons and blew both head gaskets when I first tried nitrous. Too much timing and not enough fuel! Learned a valuable lesson. Talk to people who already learned the hard way!! Later we were shootin 4-5 passes a night 3-4 nights a week. Laughing at us for shooting 150. Didn't laugh when they picking peices of their stuff off the track. "Nitrous doesn't kill motors,we do." Doc. from street outlaws!!

[@angelovasilikos7980]

Great video. Love all the info. Best channel ever. Richard you should do your own version of MYTH BUSTERS for engines!

[@kingoftheonelineresponse5965]

Rpm is the main cause of cracked stock blocks as well as being improperly balanced.

[@doxnoogle5782]

Not rpm exactly, but harmonics, yes

[@mpetersen6]

@@doxnoogle5782 Not having listened to whole video at this point (6.23 in) I would definitely put the problem down to a combination of things. A relatively weak block due to the thin wall casting. Done to reduce weight the casting was perfectly fine for the factory outputs that it was expected to see. A second casting related problem could be core shifts. Resulting in castings that do not have uniform thicknesses. Third it could well be the allowing elements or the relative lack of them. It would be interesting to see an analysis of Ford blocks vs other brands. Fourth I'd put to tuning. Fifth I think would be harmonics. This should not be a problem at any rpm the engine would be expected to see normally. In terms of harmonics a good example would be an inline six. I6 crankshafts are known to have a harmonics problem somewhere between 6K and 7K rpm depending on bore, stroke, bore center etc. Most can spin just fine past this critical rpm range. But if they see a period of extended running in their critical they will break. And every piece of rotating machinery, infact everything has a critical frequency.

[@kingoftheonelineresponse5965]

@@doxnoogle5782 ive yet to see one crack at around the 6500 rpm range however 7k plus is another story.

[@werewally3156]

Consider the intense angular momentum of a three foot long 70 lb crankshaft spinning at 6-7000 rpm. Then change its rotational axis relative to where it started spinning, say from a launch that causes the front end of the car its in to pitch up, or a sudden right or left turn. The gyroscopic forces are immense. Also, i always heard that the early S.B. fords did this, they tended to crack though, through the crank and cam journal at the front of the block.

[@pimpovic2]

Based on internet research, and not my own testing, 3 primary points relating to longevity, and some smaller points. - Rpm, keep it lower than 6k - Harmonic balance. The closer to zero balance the better - Tuning, a safe tune as you approach high rpm is crucial. Too much timing and a sketchy A/F ratio can be the formula to a kaboom. Other things like manufacturing tolerances, wear on the block (age/ mileage), cheap valvetrain parts, e.t.c. That said, I believe the consensus is 500whp though, not crank hp. Good info all around. I've dyno'd at 570/540 on a reman Cobra motor with a safe tune. We took 2 degrees out and it's currently running at 540/520. I'll run it this season and find out how it holds. Btw, it's EFI, controlled by Holley's Terminator X.

[@tonypengo]

The time and effort that goes into these videos is insane!

[@remybrouwer8700]

When I have done some failure analysis on damage it is normally a combination of things and not straight one thing because it will be the obvious "normally", but let's put aside that balancing is good either internal or externally balance, in internet seems that the fracture starts at the mains, and if I see the pictures this is at the threads which is a logical part because it is a stress raiser >

[@beauwhittaker4503]

My little 302 which is almost a fully stock bottom end and it’s around 600 on the engine , key is tune and rpm

[@erikturner5073]

Thank you for putting that information out there. Great video! I've always thought that drag race environment is the hardest on vehicle's and equipment.

[@markmccarty727]

Ran a .030 over 302 for 3 years, 5,6, sometimes 7 passes a night 3-4 nights a week with 100-150 shot of gas every pass. TRW power forged s*"get pressed pin pistons, stock rods, back yard ported 289 pistons with bigger valves. Never had a problem. Took timing out for nitros passes. However,,,,,,, before that motor borrowed a plate to shoot for street race. New to nitrous, didn't take any timing out!!! Dumped a big shot of gas on it with bout 37-38 degrees of timing. Blew both head gaskets and cracked 5 pistons. Made it home! The block didn't crack!!! Reused it to race 3 seasons 4 nights a week. Don't know how they manage to split a block? 500 shot of gas????!!!

[@bigredracer7848]

Harmonic's going through the crankshaft vibrate to destroy the crank and that's what splits block

[@jondoe6618]

Nope.

[@CSXT8250]

I was under the impression it was walking a fine line with rpm, and the 50 oz. imbalance crank. The cracks start at the main journal, work it's way up to the cam bearing journals.. Some break in the 4xx's. Some take a beating well beyond that. (If I'm starting with nothing) Comparing to LS motors, I can't see spending $2800.00 just for an aftermarket block to be on par.

[@thehappytexan]

One of turbo John’s friends has the stock bottom end 1/8 mile record and he says 700 hp is the magic number. You can get it to live if the tuning is spot on, but he doesn’t even spray his to 700. But then you Mike Murillo. That dude pioneered high horsepower 5.0’s back in the day and dominated. I watched him make his first 7 second passes in the Texas car like 20 years ago, and he ran several in one night, then drove it onto the trailer and left in one piece. I personally think it’s the shock load of dynamic compression that does it. The guys that sprayer 100% of the line broke blocks. The ones that used progressive controllers could get 3 or 4 seasons out of a block before needing a refresh. This is just what I saw and experienced though.

[@doctorromex7804]

I've seen one split due to crank breakage back in the day on a heavily nitroused high compression 302 with super heavy antiquated TRW domed pistons in it. I remember the crank was broken in 3 pieces and there were rods and pistons still attached to the pieces of the crankshaft. The middle piece still had the complete thrust bearing, cap, journal and part of the cam tunnel attached. I think the casting lottery theory applied to both the block and the crank. The car was an automatic equipped, full weight 65 mustang that went like 10.20s in the quarter with a 302 with dart iron Windsor heads and a shit ton of spray. I dont know exactly how many runs it had on it but It had quite a few and was street driven occasionally.

[@timothybyrom5560]

Fords aren't the only ones. I work at the remanufacturer that does GM'S stuff. In the early 90's I uncrated a 403 Olds core that was split just like that. I don't know what the magic number is, but I think the weak point is the oil gallies between the mains and the cam. Fords are pretty big, so were the Olds. In a sbc they're small comparatively. This is in an area where the pistons and rods are trying out tear the block in half.A side oiler is the answer in my opinion.

[@thetriode]

Olds 403s (and later 350s) had extremely thin mains with holes in them (aka the "windowed mains".) They were somewhat reputed for it. Kind of a shame really 403CI in a small block would have made them popular for build ups otherwise I suspect.

[@darinr9424]

Pfft 403 olds

[@m.geisel]

I think it’s a shock load issue. 4-5000 RPM clutch dumps at 400 WHP puts quite a strain on the engine. The 302 Windsor is a thin wall casting to begin with. When they made the Hi-Po and Boss they made the blocks thicker (along with 4 bolt mains). On a drag strip it’s hard on an engine to launch and then go from torque to HP peak 3-4 times in the span on 12 seconds or less.

[@ewetoobz3840]

All I had to do was put a B-303 in my Mustang and it broke the CAR in half. :| Great video Richard, I'm blaming the internet.

[@kevintucker3354]

I just recently watched a roots blown 351W split right down the middle! And it was still idling, although rough, after the split. The mounts and the accessories held it together!! But once unbolted it was absolutely two inline 4 cylinders with a common crank!!

[@jeffjarquin5600]

High torque at low to mid rpm. Like big hits of nitrous at lower rpm.

[@cousland58]

I agree with you to a point. Big nitrous hits at a lower rpm is could definitely be a cause. I'd like to see the nitrous tests redone at a more realistic engagement point. It seems silly to only spray for 1000-1500rpm.... but I also think engine balance is a big factor.

[@bradleymorris8875]

Joseph Cousland I never thought about it ... I was actually side stepping ... slide stepping the the clutch going to wide open and grabbing the kit all at the same time ... kinda . That’s how I launched the car. If I did it without the bottle it would kill.

[@funnlivinit]

I'd have to know where it cracked before I could speculate on the cause.

[@idletime]

Afternoon Richard 😎 . The only block I ever truly split was the stock Buick 350 in my 71' Skylark. I was out in the desert Flats east of Boise hammer down in 3rd when I bumped the ratchet shifter cresting a rise a little faster than expected and it slipped into 2nd and the VDO tach hit 7k and it scattered to Four Points of the compass. I got it towed home and got a better look at the damage and for all intents and purposes there wasn't much left of the short block. There were a couple large holes in the oil pan. It pretty much split the Block in half at the center line from One bank to the other. The passenger side of the short block was completely gone as were most of the cam journals and the only pieces of the rotating assembly that were in one piece was the crank and 2 rods & pistons. The rest of it is out there in the sagebrush somewhere. Granted it really sucked blowing that engine but accidents happen and that's the way the car was when I bought it. Luckily I had already started building a nasty lil' 30 over Buick 350 to drop in it, it just got finished a lot sooner than expected 😋 ...

[@strokedmustang66]

Nice Video, I've been telling people all the time that I'm making over 600 to the ground at 16 lbs of boost on a stock bottom end 302 with trick flow top end kit. And my engine is a 95 none forged pistons.

[@MRMOPARMAN0426]

There would be so many factors that make them split. Torque, shock loading, core shift, age etc etc.

[@rmanor5508]

Vibration

[@MRMOPARMAN0426]

@@rmanor5508 one would assume a built windsor would be balanced and blueprinted nicely, so it shouldn't really vibrate more than a stocker?

[@rmanor5508]

@@MRMOPARMAN0426 Nothing is perfect right, should build them stronger to start with.

[@williammull6784]

I was always told it was high rpm. Like what happens in a missed shift. Never heard of an auto 5.0 splitting so that would be my guess. But then again I had a friend with a solid roller 347 and he would spin that thing 8k every pass and he never had a problem and it was a stick car that made 500ish wheel na. I think it has more to do with if that crank starts walking around and proper balanced bottom end.

[@boostjunkieMike]

Great video as always this gives me confidence with my turbo 5.0l plan to keep it under 6200rpm and eventually 10lbs of boost🤞🏿🤞🏿

[@davidwright3390]

Great shout out to the silver state classic Richard

[@leemarshall5840]

I literally asked him to do this yesterday and what do i see today? A test! Thanks richard! Now if you could only find me a real parker funnelweb lol.

[@geoffdickerson9395]

Need one? I have one.

[@TrojanHorse1959]

@@geoffdickerson9395, Yes, price?

[@zorrothon]

From what I have seen and heard from the real world experience around these engines. It seems to me the magic split is likely due to lean out detonation, (or a similar shock event) combined with a weaker webbing cast. When you catch the cracking early you can see it starts from the main bearings and walks up to the cam. I have heard of guys doing sonic testing on the webbing and being able to pick out a block that will fail at the 600 number. But that may just be myth.

[@spotliterrr]

I’m a diehard Ford guy. I watch your and other videos to learn. My gut says a casting flaw or balance issue.. but again for me if I were building for hp I don’t want to worry about failures so I’d start with a Dart 4 bolt main block..

[@save16thave]

Love that shirt. We should all be thankful. I've always heard that the real block splitting HP number is 600. Of course alot of guys run girdles and better aftermarket harmonic balancers and stretch that number out a bit.

[@jeremytice4799]

I split one down the lifter valley . NO ANTIFREEZE 😜

[@scottsigmon926]

A massive shock of torque at a low RPM. Mainly with my experience, nitrous!!!! Also out of balance engine and heavy internal parts!!!

[@ricardocorbie6803]

Richard, New subscriber here, Man I have to say Ignorance is Bliss, I am sick and tired of this old wives tale being passed along, I even saw those knuckle heads on Roadkill on Motortrend channel say as much , furthering that myth, that’s why I don’t look at the show anymore, junk peddling, I owned a 5.0 and did the same GT-40 head’s upper and lower GT-40 intake, 1.7 crane cams rollers 65 MM throttle body bigger mass air flow sensor, ceramic coated shorty headers, lot of upgrades, daily driver and weekends strip car, never had a split block, by the War I have NEVER seen a Windsor split in half, it’s cracked, and this is because these engines are externally balanced, the Harmonics and vibration of the crank, causes these splits, a girdle solves this issue!! Thanks Sir for helping dispelling this Myth,, that’s why I am going to support you!! Great video!! Thanks

[@billyj.williams2341]

Stock roller block 347, 260ish 670 lift mechanical roller, ported Canfields, 200 shot..... Ran mid 9s in a small tire Ranger. Engine lasted about a year before the factory block cracked from the mains up to the cam tunnel. Didn't hurt anything else. We put all the parts in a new FMS Boss block and its been good for many yrs now.

[@patrickahern-price5922]

I think its imbalance, or detonation that causes the main caps to walk, but I'm no expert

[@hom240]

This is a 351W that split in two. I paused the video to examine it. Notice that there really isn't much material thickness above the crank saddle. Once you go beyond the crank saddles look there is really nothing reinforcing the block. So if one saddle cracks there isn't much there to prevent the others from cracking. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3uvhGyue72Md7M

[@artkirt9555]

The only FSB I've seen split (cracked actually) was related to the improper balance. The owner ran an externally balanced flywheel (32 oz.) on an internally balanced shortblock. This makes sense, because sustained vibration is very destructive force.

[@richardholdener1727]

28 or 50 oz = SBF

[@harmankardon478]

great stuff!!

[@jeremywinton8978]

I saw this happen once with a buddy that raced 302 is in a Mustang he had a big nitrous shot on it 300 I think it running really bad after the last pass the next weekend he pulled the motor out when he took the intake off it was cracked straight down through the lifter Valley I always called the cracking of a 302 b******* but that was the only time I ever saw it

[@HackoDis]

I was wondering about this, i think it's mostly people hating on ford products and talking out of their ass. Ford power baby :D

[@fastinradfordable]

Yeah. Support ford and his nazi xenophobic friends. BecUse, it’s patriotic? Or because ignorant.

[@msms-rl6zf]

To get a good starting point you need to NDT a stock block to ensure no hidden failure points lurking under the surface that wouldn't matter in a stocker but bound to surface when you step on it...same as you would with used rods if you want to reuse them intending to beat it. Ford uses good content of nodular iron in everyday blocks and I guess a little better in export parts. Would be interesting to do fracture mechanics analysis in the leftover corpse.

[@jrusted5.031]

Great video!

[@LocomotiveBreth]

I have always thought that the way the intake manifold bolts down on the SBF acts as a wedge on the blocks. The high power combinations exploit the inherent problem when combined with engine mount and chassis flexing. Just my 2 cents 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@mfree80286]

This is where I was thinking... people skim the deck and think they can get away with it, torque the intake down because the bolts fit, and now the valley is preloaded in tension and waiting for that first crack to start and spread. Cast iron doesn't like tension while vibrating at all.

[@fascistpedant758]

@@mfree80286 I keep hearing that the cracks start at the crankshaft?

[@mfree80286]

@@fascistpedant758 No reason there can't be more than one way to start the process. If the crank twists in the mains then that's going to try and force the studs apart as well, just from a different spot.

[@fascistpedant758]

@@mfree80286 I don't contest that there could be more than one failure mode.

[@19jody72]

I've seen one split at 520 to the tire..blown.. 23 lbs boost. I came up qhen the 5.0's were coming out.. I lived that life. Ive had all kinds of hotrods.. Honestly..Ford just holds up better to me. Hot rod or daily driver work truck. They all have issues.. chevy and dodge is the transmisions.. rearends.. ford is.. well ..a loose nut behind the wheel..😎☕🤣

[@artificialdopamine6542]

They why do half the Mustangs have gm trans in them? Thats if they dont have a GM motor as well

[@Kenzo-bp1zs]

@@artificialdopamine6542 not many cheap RWD chevys that are afordable with the aftermarket that the fox,sn95,new edge platform has. If I was building a Chevy engine, or even a 2JZ. A Mustang is the way to go for affordability for any engine of choice.

[@save16thave]

@@artificialdopamine6542 Why do all serious drag cars have a Ford 9 inch? Even the Government Motors cars run a Ford 9 inch.

[@artificialdopamine6542]

@@save16thave congrats that "might" be the only thing Ford makes that would be on one? Thats a bragging right to you? And im not even knocking the OP i just thought it was funny he mentioned GM trans' being known for being bad when thats all real drag vehicles use. And i dont i use a GM 9.5 SF 14 bolt 5lug with eaton Detroit locker which actually can handle more HP than a 9"

[@artificialdopamine6542]

@@Kenzo-bp1zs i have nothing to argue with your comment, if you can stomach a Ford chassis more power to em.

[@scottb8175]

Our shop saw two 289 / 302 splits. First one was an 89 5.0 H.O. stock bottom end that got a set of SVO N-351 Sportsman heads and a .600+ lift roller cam. It was in a NA alcohol Hilborn injected sprint car that the owner had run out his engine budget for the year blowing up his two 351C's bottom ends and couldn't afford another 700 HP 351C build; but needed to run the remainder of the season with a new engine for under $2k. The H.O. made 460+ HP on the dyno, but the block split completely down the center while running warm up laps at the track on it's first race. Only the motor mount plates and the main caps were holding the halves together. A year later, a late 289 block in a street car cracked through the valley at just over 400 HP at 7000 RPM NA. I think it is the RPM - combined with a less than perfect casting stock production 8.200" SBF block - seems not up to the stress of the high RPM to make over 400 HP NA. Yet I know of many stock block 8.200: SBF's making up to 650 HP supercharged (not turbo) at up to 5500 RPM with no issues.

[@Blackinterceptor999]

I believe it is a combination of everything together to make a perfect storm...From what I have seen most people just throw parts at the stock block without prepping the block.

[@watsisbuttndo829]

Search "302 split block" and take a look at nitro unions vid. I can be done but im not worried about my dads 289 leaving us anytime soon!.

[@AB-80X]

Not sure a little 289 have enough power to split an almond...

[@candyhandsjf7288]

You should just keep cranking it up and see where it splits at lol

[@alexcorona]

I’ve seen a 302 block split twice in my life(neighbors own a machine shop) and both times they were pushing 700HP+ on nitrous. One time it was a generic foxbody 5.0 and the other time it was a Mexican block with a girdle.

[@Petrol360]

Great video. Could you test a remote turbo kit to see how much of an effect exhaust length and charge pipe length has on a motor. Also it would be neat to move a air to water cooler from close to the motor then back near the turbo to see if that effects the density of the air ect. Thanks again!

[@joshoneal4104]

Engine Harmonics like bad damper, or poor engine assembly like not balancing/ Checking the weight on rods and pistons before installing them together. Also bad tuning

[@Stephen-br6il]

No. The blocks have weak main valleys

[@proudamerican9306]

Your absolutely right a balanced rotating assembly will make or break a build literally

[@mightyvr6]

AUTONOMEN x gurdles just hold all the parts in a nice pile

[@mpetersen6]

@AUTONOMEN x Short deck height. Short rods. Yah that could be a factor. Thin walled blocks. Core shift at the foundry. Iron alloy used. Tuning. One thing to remember the Windsor when designed wasn't necessarily designed for putting out power over 500 hp.

[@joshoneal4104]

@@Stephen-br6il yes absolutely they have weak valleys. But engine harmonics will find the weak spots.

[@unclesquirrel6951]

Personally I blame squirrels

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Finally, this is the video where you’re right. It’s the squirrels!!

[@unclesquirrel6951]

Chips And Sparks Garage 🏆👉🏻🐿

[@watsisbuttndo829]

Knew squirrels could bust a nut. Didnt know they could bust a block.

[@hitman3039]

I searched specifically for this comment. You sir, are a genius, because even a blind squirrel can bust a nut once in a while. 🤣

[@elbertjolley914]

I have seen one split first hand, one of my close friends and I were at the drag strip and he split the block. The back story is it was a stock 302 block, was stroke to a 406 I believe, twisted wedge heads, don't remember the compression and also had a 200 shot of gas. Done burn out fine, life is good, pulls up to the line for 3500 clutch drop and boom it just shut off after the clutch drop and slamming the gas. Nothing came out of the block and acted like to locked and wouldn't turn over. We load it up, go home to tear it apart, then we saw the split dead center of the block right above the camshaft from the timing cover to bell housing bolts and the rotating assembly looked visibly fine but it was not reused. I suspect it was the shock to the crankshaft that caused some bad harmonics. I also have heard this block splitting rumor about SBC with stock block at some HP number as well. Hope it helps, just my thoughts.

[@OldSkoolF]

A good balance job and quality rotating assembly has never let me down... ALWAYS replace the stock fasteners in the bottom end.

[@acemobile9806]

Metallurgy & casting tolerances. Core shift that occurs during casting process that makes the valley thickness thinner. Would be interesting to sonic test that area in a cracked block vs one of Richard's blocks that's been wailed on hard & see if there's any difference. Then again, it could all be some fake Chevy fanboy conspiracy 😆

[@zorrothon]

All the engine builders I have worked with over the years agree with your idea. It seems like it's a problem with how the main webbing gets cast.

[@rosco664]

I heard several people before say 302's can't go past 400hp and 351's can't past 600hp and yes I just cringe. They are always the know it all's that say that. They can handle so much more.

[@deanstevenson6527]

Rosco : When ever 5.0 Mustang 84/85 Group A racing engine fails by oil leaks and they find the block has cracked, then thats failure before 400 hp. ( Group A Mustangs made 350 to 390 hp at 6800 rpm with a roller cam and regularly raced 100 mph average speed laps with 155 mph top speeds for 6 hours and 620 miles.) The factory 5.0 blocks couldnt take a full season without breaking. On the Cleveland, engine extermination in the same racing was unheard of at 390 to 450 hp unless a con rod or oil pickup caused it. As a drag engine, plenty of factory made Clevelands survived 650 hp on the Winston Cup NASCAR rounds. These things were dicussed well before the 1993 advent of the internet. Australians and American racing history. Not internet folklore.

[@rosco664]

@@deanstevenson6527 I don't know what you are getting at, but what I do know is my stock block 349 dynoed at 508hp at 6900rpm and I had the engine for 5 years. So yes, they do go past 400hp no problem.

[@deanstevenson6527]

Rosco : Props to you. Point is, the 302 J code, Q code Tunnel Port and F and M code 5.0s were cracking blocks in production car racing on one hand, yet winning 7000 mile endurance races ( like the Teams Prize for the London to Sydney race in 1969 with the Australian made, US J code 302 230 hp engine). If it always splits, its a Reliabilty problem. If it sometime splits, its a quality problem. 302s were splitting blocks in two since 1968. The solutions are all the good things weve learned. The last OHV Explorer and Mountaineer engines were exported and stroked to 342 cubic inches and were used in 335 hp and 369 lb ft form, reving to 6000 rpm in the Falcon Pursuit 250 and T3 Ford Falcon FPVs No block cracking...they deleted the aluminum heads, plateau honed with torque plates and added a crank girdle and used hypereutectic pistons with a 50 ounce unbalance crank. Ford knows what cracks a 5.0 block. The point is that Boss 302 blocks and steel crank engines with a 249 or higher average Brinell test didnt break hardly ever, even in TransAm. So somewhere in that is a way to reliabilty. Love your posts Rosco. Im only trying to make sense out of the reliabilty and quality issues. Making a stock block 5.0 last is not assured. Plenty of 10 second almost 500 hp engines exist and last just fine...on the street, circuit and drags. It will generally survive, but its not a given.

[@elliottbutts153]

Maybe it’s just because I am a Ford fan or that I have a Fox but I a super impressed with all of these numbers. Not sure how much more you actually expect out of these small engines.

[@SirHC888]

I think it’s weakness of the valley webbing or lack thereof, combined with casting flaw at the foundry. And yes, saw this from pictures that were shared...before digital cameras were mainstream.

[@tonyvlx]

My 306 made 520 rwhp. Never a issue.

[@TMB5BER]

tonyvlx how please, I’m building a 306 as well

[@tonyvlx]

With good tune and I didn't bounce off the red line all the time.

[@willsilversurfinharris6239]

@@tonyvlx what gass

[@hankbell4196]

its high RPM's that kill em

[@ryanmerrill8879]

The general rule of thumb I have lived by is 550 WHP max and keep it under 6200 RPM and it will live. When I split one it was a stock engine right down to the stamped rockers. The only mods to the engine were copper head gaskets. A vortech after-cooler and S-trim was added at 17PSI. It ran 10.9@131. Trans was a trmec tko 5 speed. It split down the valley though the cam journals and all the way though the block. That was over 15 years ago.

[@charleslowe522]

This is interesting, I have heard the same thing about the 109 block in a Grand National or Turbo Regal in MY 86/87. My engine builder told me that if I wanted to make 600whp that I needed to go to a Buick Motor Sports stage II block or a TA Performance aftermarket block. There have been several guys that have made over a 1000whp with the stock 109 block, with forged internals. Not to mention that one guy ran the stock short block - stock crank, mains and pistons and he made over 10 minutes worth of 9 sec passes and when he took the engine out to check it out there was a main cap broke. So IMO, I think an excellent tune goes a long way. The guy had an aftermarket ECU, where he could fine tune the fuel map and spark. He is still running a stock block, not sure what he has done to the block though. I watched him go from 80 to 130 in about 4 seconds. Pretty good. Remember this is a V6 - 3.8L block, with a turbo on it. The block only has 4 main caps to distribute the load, not 5 like a v8 or 7 like an inline 6.