D17 stroker build

Lost our local pulling association where my mild 240 inch engine was competitive. Next closest association my suitcase weights require me to pull up 1 more division and I have some heftier competition. A couple years back I bought a wd for parts that has a series 4 d17 engine in it, but it’s locked up. I’m thinking it’s about time to research building a hotter engine, who does stroker cranks these days? I have seen the name Dan Karpel used recently with positive feedback. Anyone else? I’m not looking to push the edge of extreme performance or pay top dollar. In would like something in can build and run for years reliably. I’m not real experienced with big cube Allis engines maybe what I’m looking for doesn’t exist either lol.

I would also be open to suggestions on build recipes or already built engines for sale

It’s been close to 10 years but I’m pretty sure the 240 put out 53 horse using an 1/8 over bore and some mild head and manifold polishing with a larger carb. It isn’t using flattop pistons for high compression I believe the kit was 7.25 to one.


I would be interested in costs/specs on the 310 and 360 inch motor. It would be going into a wd chassis with 38s on it

The "310" engine is a 4.500" bore and 4.875" non-welded stroker.   The pistons I use are custom made to my specs with a Power Crater bowl and 12 to 1 compression. Without calling my vendor for today's current prices, I'd say we are at $1,000 bucks minimum for pistons, rings and pins.  Custom sleeves would probably run $600 dollars.   Different connecting rods configured to work will be at least $500 for a set.  Having your D-17 crank offset ground to 4.875" stroke will run probably $600 minimum. Boring your block to accept the larger sleeves can run nearly $100 a hole these days.  So, I see a total of  $3100 as a starting point with no labor to assemble.  Then, there's main and rod bearings and camshaft bushings. Also, a camshaft grind would be in order. A copper head gasket with sealing wire grooves cut in the top of the block will be needed too.  The "360" engine would be a welded stroker of 5.375" for another $800 ?? and more labor grinding places inside the block for clearance.  A D-17 block/crank is preferred for strength.  You'd be looking at next summer to have these parts all rounded up and a machine shop that wants to do the machine work.

Edited by DrAllis - 19 Apr 2026 at 7:30am

Thank you doc, is this something I could put together myself? I am a mechanic by trade but I am not too proud to admit there are things outside my capabilities. As long as there would be no special procedures needed for balancing the assembled rotating assembly I would put it together myself. Next summer timeline would be ok as I have to get this sized up d17 tore down and inspected, the seller said he only left the can off the stack and water got in but I’m not taking his word for it.


The other thing I wanted to talk to you about is what kind of power would the 240 make with the flat top pistons back in it. I have done some research and that combo comes up frequently but I haven’t seen power numbers

I have a 170 engine complet if you need one to satrt with

This would be a 3500 4000 and 4500 class tractor, maybe 5000 on the right day

Speed limit would be 3 or 4 mph with 10 or 20 percent rpm allowed,

PaulB wrote: For Grampa gear (speed of a slug) pulling, just get factory weights.

No competition, only 1 place has the factory stock class and maybe a couple tractors.

Might be first gear but when the average competitor has say 75 horse and they set the sled to stop them 53 horse still ends up in the back of the pack. 28s don’t help but not enough coal in the fire to turn 38s.


Either that or I’m not to proud to take donations to build a faster rig

Edited by blue924.9 - 22 Apr 2026 at 6:31pm