[cobrashoch]

Steelcomp - Just read this whole damed thread and some mostly agreeing comments.(but not all)
- The 460 Ford was a Mercury/Lincolin project that came about in a skunkworks project team at Mercury with Ford input. They developed this engine around late 65 to early 66. The first 460's were in Lincolins in 1967. The 429's came later in Thunderbirds in 68. This team later developed the BOSS smallblock head in 1967 for the later Boss 302's. The 460 was developed and designed for 500 cubic inch motors, as at that time it was thought that was the way things were going. It for sure NEVER was designed to be a debugged Chevy engine. Remember at that time the Chevy rat did not have a track record or even a reliable street performance record. Ford did look at both the Chevy big blocks and the Chrysler wedge and Hemi designs for sure.
- A Chrysler 426 street hemi engine with iron heads weighed in at about 65 lbs less that a 1966 iron head Chevy 396, with the 385 block coming in about 30 lbs more than the 396 and later 454. All of this is dependent on castings of course. You are correct that the extra weight in a 385 block resulted in a stronger block overall.
- Your correct that a spayed main cap is a better cap than a crossbolt main, for cap walk. But not for the reasons you stated. It's more about dispersing harmonics into a greater mass of the block. With a crossbolt the harmonics are directed to a thinner sidewall rather than into a main webbing. A crossbolt does give you more vertical sheer though. Thats also why main girtles are not very good as they direct harmonics to the pan rail. Girdles are however better than nothing though.
- On a previous thread I commented that All FE's were not big blocks, rather they are a medium sized block. I concluded that what determines the class size of a engine was bore centerline spacing and deck heights. You are correct IMHO that most of these debates are fueled emotional responces based on what we think we know. As I get older that's fine with me, and I've learned the wisom of sticking my ear into what the other fella is saying, but more important, the whys.
- You've made a few statements about 385's that carry over to racing and 385's advantages. Too some I concure, but to many I don't suscribe to. And I have been one of the most vocal, and ardent 385 proponents on this board for years. I ask you a question. Do you think you have changed anyones minds about engine choices? By your own admission you have revised your own opinion about FE's. It's been my experience that most of these guys don't really care what a 385 guy has to say. It's their loss in my mind.
- The promise of the overhead cam 427 engine was the reason 385's were not ever put in Cobra's. Same thing for the tunnel port FE heads. This subject may make for a good future thread and debate I'd bet.

- I'm really a Chrysler Hemi sort of guy with my background around those toys.
Welcome to the board, A better or harder group is hard to find.

Fuel injection is nice, But I would rather be BLOWN !

cobrashock