i know this is a newbie question but that is what i am. I am wondering what it does to the engine and how you do it i heard them talking about it on the Spike network last night so i am curious. 
what does stroking an engine mean?
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By changing the crank to one with longer throw, you effectively increase the displacement of the engine since the piston moves farther up and down.
This increases the HP and torque.
I'm not really sure what else is changed, maybe connecting rods.
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Pretty much what keith said. Usually it's done to get more torque. One common swap is a 400 chevy crank into a chevy 350 to make a 383 stroker.
The larger crank has a longer throw so the piston goes a longer distance creating more torque.
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Also, people put a 258 crank into a 4.0 L to make it a stroker. Or, I believe the same can be done by putting a 4.0L head onto a 258 block.
The 258 is a stroked 232.
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Yeah stroking is basically putting a bigger crank in but it requires alot of machine work. Most bigger cranks dont fit in the smaller engines, so the crank journals have to be bored out and usually you need either custom length rods or have them machined also. The bearings are different and clearances need to be checked etc.... However the results are usually awsome. Makes for a torque monster of a motor.
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If you would like to know more about the advanced level stuff, (and maybe even listen in on some newbies) check out http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/strokers/
This is a site dedicated solely to "stroking" the 4.0 liter jeep engine.
It basically makes it a bigger engine. from 4.0 to 4.6(max) The holes in it become deeper, the piston moves farther up and down. "boring" and engine refers to making the pistons larger. i.e. "bored sixty over" means that the diameter of the cylinder in the engine block has been machined .060 inches larger than stock.
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