Good points all.......
I built my car with a very strong commitment to duplicating as much of the original details as possible. Looked a long time for a 1965 sideoiler block (C5 AE H) that was standard or +.017 max, and finally found one.
Gotta tell you, though, as strong as the later FE's were, it still is a nearly 40 year old piece of iron, and well, who knows what can happen. And anyone who has been around these engines knows what the replacements costs are. Even if it is a NOS standard block, its still 1950's - 60's technology and metallurgy, and unseasoned blocks can often hide catastrophic defects In some ways, they should just be considered a museum piece, and reserved for those folks restoring concours originals.
I never considered the Shelby block (a beautiful piece) because of the issue of originality, but did, until recently, hold out hope for a Genesis iron block. Same date codes could be had, reinforced in all the right places, better oiling and most important - NEW.
Having said all of that, Shelby aluminum block or original 427?
Beats me.
Bud
