Thread:

428 Ford

Originally Posted by EVILFORCE

Hi guys. Having forgot more the I remember about FE Fords. I was looking for some suggestions. I am thinking of using a 428 for a restore build. Took it out of a V-Drive a few years ago. Don't remember what is in it. Probably has 40-50 hours on it. I have most of the marine hardware for it. Has a Offy 2-4 mid-rise manifold. I am looking to get apx 500 HP. I know Steel built a FE not to long ago. Anyone still mess with these old thangs. All suggestions and advise is appreciated. Thanks.
P.S. None of this throw it away stuff or build a Chevy. There is a reason for using it.

Having messed with FEs for the last 45+ years I learned a thing or two about them, what would you like to know?

Whats the application? Jetboat, V-drive or car? About the only oil mods you might want to do is open up the passage from the pump to the oil filter adaper to 7/16" and clean it up with a cartridge roll. I usually blend and shape the 90deg passages in the block where the adapter bolts to the block. Use a 10 qt pan of course and tap the oil passages for screw in plugs where press in plugs once were. You didn't say what block you are using so I assume it is a bread and butter passenger car block and not a CJ or a truck block ['105' casting]. Heads: any big port early head will work good, just use the CJ sized valves [2.09"-1.65"] and seat/bowl work to fit them. While you are into the heads tap the oil passage to the rockers for metering plugs. I use about .060" metering hole to limit the amount of oil to the heads. Your choice of intake manifolds is not my 1st choice as the Offy [360deg?] leaves alot of power on the table and may not allow Holleys to be used as the carb spacing is not far enough apart to mount end to end and still clear the distributor. My 1st choice for a 2 x 4 setup is the Ford dual plane Medium Riser manifold and a pair of Holleys, either 600s or 650s. I run that manifold and a pair of 715 Holleys [list# 3300] on my 67 Fairlane 427 S/O and it runs great, carbs are not too big. Rods: I'd opt for a decent set of aftermarket C/M rods as the stock rods are 40+ years old and may be close to the end of their fatigue cycle and with the cost of redoing both ends of the stock rods and fit ARP bolts the cost is almost what you can buy a new set for. Crank: All Ford cast cranks are decent and strong enough for your HP requirements, Forged pistons goes without saying. I don't generally recommmend cams as it is subjective and what may sound good to you may be too mild or wild for me or vis-versa. Same with compression ratios, don't know what your level of tolerance is as to fuel, be it pump 87-89-91 octane, 100 unleaded, 110 oct. race fuel or a blend. Bearings and clearances: I use .002"-.0025" on the rods, and .0025"-.003" on the mains and I would also recommend a 3/4 groove main bearing. pistons: use mfg's recommendations. Zero deck the block and set pistons no more than .005" in the hole. That should get ya going.

Originally Posted by EVILFORCE

Just the basic things. C/R, Cam size, I need to check the heads to see what they are. What is a good head? Have two 600 Holleys for it. Like to make a nice dependable 500 H/P. I forgot most of the oil system fix's as well.

I know Steel will work on FE's as will The Bostick. Maybe one of them will chime in.

As asked, you doing a V-drive or Jet ?

S CP

Originally Posted by 058

Your choice of intake manifolds is not my 1st choice as the Offy [360deg?] leaves alot of power on the table and may not allow Holleys to be used as the carb spacing is not far enough apart to mount end to end and still clear the distributor. versa.

Although all I could do while reading this is have my head nodding like a bobble head doll, I will say this one line was more than a "little" tame.

Not only will Holleys not clear each other, even with metering plates on the secondaries, but the distribution is the worst of any manifold I have ever witnessed. If the manifold you have is a 360*, you really only have 2 choices. E-bay and take the highest bid, regardless of what it is. Or melt the POS. Yes Evilforce, its that bad.

Originally Posted by gn7

Although all I could do while reading this is have my head nodding like a bobble head doll, I will say this one line was more than a "little" tame.

Not only will Holleys not clear each other, even with metering plates on the secondaries, but the distribution is the worst of any manifold I have ever witnessed. If the manifold you have is a 360*, you really only have 2 choices. E-bay and take the highest bid, regardless of what it is. Or melt the POS. Yes Evilforce, its that bad.

Not knowing Evilforce I was trying to be polite. If it were some one I knew I would have said "take that thing to the recyclers see what they will give you for it by the pound. Doesn't even belongs in the same pile the Coors and Bud cans are in as beer cans are cleaner and more pure aluminum." But I don't know the gentleman so I will remain polite.

Originally Posted by EVILFORCE

It is a V-Drive. As far as intake is concerned it is the side mounted carb manifold. Could put 2 big carbs on it. And thanks guys for replieing. Keep it up.

The carbs are mounted sideways because like I said, 2 Holleys WILL NOT fit on it. Now, pull a carb off and look and see if there is a divider running right down the middle of the manifold, splitting it into 2 plenums. And then ask yourself how the F the thing could possibly run right while running on the primaries on one side of the divider, and the secondaries on the other.
The only time you should ever consider turning a 4 bbl carb sideways is a T ram or a blower. On anything else, its a very bad idea.

Originally Posted by 058

Doesn't even belongs in the same pile the Coors and Bud cans are in as beer cans are cleaner and more pure aluminum."

And the Coors wide mouth flows better and has better distribution.