Blown motor - which Long Block to buy?

frankym · #1 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 03:16 PM

Hey all, sadly, I blew a head gasket on my superformance with a coast high performance SBF 427. Upon removing the heads, there was damage into the block and pistons - so we are going to buy a new long block.

Debating between going with

1. Coast High Performance (probe industries)
2. Roush Racing
3. Keith Craft

These 3 builders all need between 8-12 weeks to produce one for me, and am curious what recommendations people have. I also considered selling the car with the blown motor at a discount. Open to hearing people's thoughts. I value and trust so many of the great CC members here - I am truly grateful for any suggestions. I plan to reuse my intake, carb, water pump, valve covers, oil pan etc. I would also plan on replacing the clutch just for good measure.

Brooklyn-427 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 04:18 PM

You may need too consider a new water pump for peace of mind.

Brooklyn-427 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 04:20 PM

Ford racing have 427 sbf strokers off the self ready install

Cashburn · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklyn-427

Ford racing have 427 sbf strokers off the self ready install

They are not currently available because the company that produced their blocks went belly up. I think the soonest we will see them back in production is July 2016.

Cashburn · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankym

Hey all, sadly, I blew a head gasket on my superformance with a coast high performance SBF 427. Upon removing the heads, there was damage into the block and pistons - so we are going to buy a new long block.

Debating between going with

1. Coast High Performance (probe industries)
2. Roush Racing
3. Keith Craft

These 3 builders all need between 8-12 weeks to produce one for me, and am curious what recommendations people have. I also considered selling the car with the blown motor at a discount. Open to hearing people's thoughts. I value and trust so many of the great CC members here - I am truly grateful for any suggestions. I plan to reuse my intake, carb, water pump, valve covers, oil pan etc. I would also plan on replacing the clutch just for good measure.

2 things for you to consider...

1.) We can certainly help on a long block.
2.) Let me know details on your car, I have a customer seeking a Superformance (used) and this might be a decent 3 party transaction for everyone.

PeteF · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 06:10 PM

Since you are in Westport CT, you might consider Danbury Competition Engines. Joe LaPine did a great rebuild on my 351W last year. He will find/provide all the parts you need. 203 748-7356.

LMH · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 06:12 PM

Keith Craft has been here on this site for quite a while and involved with our hobby all along. He has my vote.
Plus there's Brent Blykins on here as well just to throw another name on your list.
Larry

Dangerous Doug · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 06:18 PM

My 331 stroker is based upon a Keith Craft short block---I did the rest of the assembly myself. Incidentally, this is a good way to take the mystery out of your motor; just take your time and research your assembly.

Keith Craft builds a top-notch engine---in my case, short block. I highly recommend them.

My KC 331 stroker is a monster, by the way. I'm very happy with it.

DD

Bernica · #9 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMH

Keith Craft has been here on this site for quite a while and involved with our hobby all along. He has my vote.
Plus there's Brent Blykins on here as well just to throw another name on your list.
Larry

What Larry said. I would go with either of these guys. Do a search here on folks experiences with Rousch. Just sayin'.

Bernica · #10 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 06:50 PM

I should have added that Cashburn seems to know his way around an SBF pretty well too.

DWRAT · #11 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 07:12 PM

Keith Craft

Desert Cobra · #12 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 07:31 PM

Keith Craft gets my vote. My 2013 408W runs flawlessly and doesn't leak a drop.

fordracing65 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 08:47 PM

anything from Blykins, best guy and always here to help us out...

twobjshelbys · #14 (**permalink**) 11-30-2015, 09:18 PM

Not roush. Lots of war stories most worse than mine

eschaider · #15 (**permalink**) 12-01-2015, 12:35 AM

Brent and Keith should be the only two on your short list. Both support the site and both build excellent product.

Ed

frankym · #16 (**permalink**) 12-01-2015, 02:31 PM

cash burn, i'm open to selling. I have a ton of photos that you can find looking at old posts from me. I have had 3 superformances, the car we are talking about is a solid red, SPF #205. it has a retro fitted CSX rollbar to look like the original car. It has upgraded shocks. paint is pristine. I am open to selling it as is with a blown motor. car also has the oil accumulator setup plus halon. But I'm not interested in sacrificing it - I priced a brand new roller with these options and it is $57k. I would ask for 40k for it as is - but I am sure people would engage me and then offer 25k, which i have no interest in wasting time doing. It's almost always better to sell a completed car, but hey, if someone comes very very close to 40k, i'm a seller.

I am leaning toward keith craft on the motor for $12k, i can get the keith craft fully built 427R from carb to pan - it is a 4 bolt main dart sportman block with 585hp.

frankym · #17 (**permalink**) 12-01-2015, 02:37 PM

Ace23 · #18 (**permalink**) 12-01-2015, 03:30 PM

Sorry to hear of your issues. I have a Keith Craft 427 in my car and while I now know it is a very solid motor I would make sure I talked to them about the specifics of the build you want. My car has the 427w and it makes 592hp at 6600rpm. For the street it is not the ideal motor......lots of duration with my cam it sounds like a pulp wood truck until you get it over 2500rpms and then the power delivery is between 5000-7000rpm's. If that floats your boat then so be it but its not ideal for me. If you elect to go with Keith I would spend the time to make sure the motor is setup how you want to use it. With all that being said I think one of Keith's motors is a great option. It turned out I had a good bit of sorting to do with mine and while it runs awesome I just don't spend all my time at high rpm

cycleguy55 · #19 (**permalink**) 12-01-2015, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashburn

They are not currently available because the company that produced their blocks went belly up. I think the soonest we will see them back in production is July 2016.

But somehow Summit Racing has them in stock and ready for immediate shipping?
Ford Racing 427 C.I.D. 450HP X-Head Crate Engines M-6007-X427FFT - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
Ford Racing 427 C.I.D. 535 HP Crate Engines M-6007-Z427FRT - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

FWIW, I support what others have said about checking with KC and Lykins.

frankym · #20 (**permalink**) 12-01-2015, 06:29 PM

Considering how light these cars are, it makes sense to me (logically) to get more of the torque and hp later in RPMs. Having had a stroker side ouler 468, with radial 15 inch tires, it just broke the tires at slower speeds. Curious to hear from others who own a keth craft sbf 427 585hp config. If the power curve is unsatisfying, what is your recommendation. Going to send a check to KC tomorrow. Please keep fredback coming.