Quote:
Originally Posted by Excaliber
Personally I consider the over the counter later engines with ribs to be the best block out there for an FE. .
|
I had heard that the ribs were intentionally put in the molds, as Ford was having problems with some of the blocks having too thin skirts, so they modified the existing, worn out molds, rather than "purchase" new molds for an engine design that was on its way out anyways.
I believe by the time the molds were modified, 427's were only being sold OTC, therefore, no production car ever came with one of those blocks. I believe all of the OTC 427 blocks in the late 1960's-1970's were cast/machined for hydraulic lifters. The only production car offered with a hydraulic lifter 427 was the Cougar GTE.
No matter, it's still a good block, just not as original appearing as the non-rib blocks.