Like I told Rick Lake last evening via PM, I came into this a couple weeks ago expecting to find everyone rebuilding old blocks. I was surprised to see all the new stuff in the FE market. The more I research, its clear that unless you are trying to build a real replica and can find a virgin NOS Ford block, what's the point of putting all your money and effort at risk? I have no doubt I could build a decent engine using original parts, but I would NEVER hear the end of it if it grenaded on me. She would make my life a living hell. After all, this is my retirement money I am gambling with.
There was one other thing that sorta clinched it for me. The boys and I went out to the old Texas World Speedway Saturday for the NASA-TX races. As luck would have it, a shiny new blue Lone Star Cobra with a 427 stroker was on-hand for its maiden voyage. Now at 140 mph, the car really gobbles up that long straightaway where AJ Foyt and Johnny Rutherford once traded paint, and that stroked engine was really roaring. I'll be damned if I will run my Cobra down that straightaway and have a connecting rod as old as me hang me out to dry.
Decision made: I am going with a Pond or Genesis, not sure which yet but I'll sort that out. Thanks to all who contributed this far.
