427

[celentanogj]

I was at a car show this past Saturday (09/16) when a person came up to me to talk about my car. He was interested in purchasing a cobra and wanted some information. He asked what motor was in my car and told him that it was a 428 (PI) block with the Edelbrock RPM heads and intake. The guy looked at me and said "it should have a 427 it would be worth more money"-I asked him why and he replied "because it's a the better motor." Again I asked why and he didn't have an answer. My question, is the 427 SO or CO better than a well built 428(non stroker) or a stroked 390? My motor dyno'ed at 524hp and 544tq- I understand the engine dyno is perfect conditions with free flowing headers and mt heads have alot of work done to them (from the previous owner) and even the engine builder wasa surprised when he inspected the heads on how much work was done. I figure in the car the 428 is probably around 495hp with the rw hp at 395-400. Is the 427 (SO/CO) better?

[Grubby]

Side Oiler is only beneficial at extended use at high RPM. They were built for NASCAR.

All the COs would be equal, except horse power should be higher for the larger cubic inch engines.

John

[Blue66]

My aluminum FE BB was bigger but i would just say it's a 427.

[Tommy]

Facts, beliefs and opinions are all different things.

[86Sebring]

My first son was born exactly 4:27pm back in 2007. So in my opinion, the 427 is better than the 428

[saltshaker]

most 427 Cobras had 428’s in them…
Jon

[Harpoon PV2]

Just tell him, Carrol preferred the 428 for street driving! He at one time, and maybe to the end, had a 428 with a C6, and no one can put down Shelby's driving skills! Cheers, Dennis

[eschaider]

Engine power is a function of head flow, engine displacement, and engine rpm. Assuming the same heads and cams in each engine, the 428 should show a little (very little) more power lost to the increased stroke because of friction. The engine performance difference will be indistinguishable to driver or passenger for performance applications that don't look like high-bank Nascar ovals.

As Grubby already said, the reason for the difference in oiling was for engine longevity on high banked ovals where the engine would run at virtually wide open throttle for 500 miles. The side oiler design model makes zero difference horsepower-wise.

[undy]

Originally Posted by saltshaker

most 427 Cobras had 428’s in them…
Jon

Flat out not true.

[DanEC]

The side oiler was definitely better if running 24 hours at high speed with mostly open throttle. If you aren’t doing that how is it better? It’s true it would probably add some value but did you notice the beautiful ERA street roadster just auctioned on BaT by a forum member that just sold for $110,000 with a lowly stroked 390? Also some of those 427s in the Cobras were not side oilers. I wouldn’t try to argue the point with the semi-uninformed.

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by DanEC

... I wouldn’t try to argue the point with the semi-uninformed.

Or even worse, fully uninformed!

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by eschaider

Engine power is a function of head flow, engine displacement, and engine rpm. Assuming the same heads and cams in each engine, the 428 should show a little (very little) more power lost to the increased stroke because of friction. The engine performance difference will be indistinguishable to driver or passenger for performance applications that don't look like high-bank Nascar ovals.

As Grubby already said, the reason for the difference in oiling was for engine longevity on high banked ovals where the engine would run at virtually wide open throttle for 500 miles. The side oiler design model makes zero difference horsepower-wise.

Carrol said on many occasions when talking about the 427 v 428, "how the hell, do you tell the difference between 425 bhp and 475 bhp?" He also said the 428 was a bit quicker in the bottom end, with the 427 coming out on top as speed built up. He also clamed the 427 would throw rods at a mere 3000 rpm for no apparent reason. I have never talked to any one that had that happen, but who knows? I suspect that the 428s were not station wagon engines, possibly a police intercept? Does any one know for sure? Cheers, Dennis

[Streetwize]

the 427 was sold as a performance engine and was the major "status engine" for Ford in NASCAR and NHRA), the 428 was (at the time) more of the big car low rpm torque motor with a very mild cam. the Cobra Jet 428 had a bit bigger cam but it didn't come out until later in the 60's (well after the last Shelby Cobra was built). I assume as 427's became scarce Ford offered Shelby the 428s toward the end of the run, Shelby being pragmatic probably rationed that he'd have less liability with the milder engine and they were still more than enough power for the 2500 or so pound cobra.

the Side oiler has priority mains which means the mains get oil first (directly from the pump) and not from the lifter galley's.

Better for high RPM racing and (most importantly) it eliminates the possibility of losing main oil pressure in the event of a valvetrain failure

also the 427 from the factory displaces only 425.5 CI and the 428 displaces 426.5 CI.

They called it the 428 to avoid confusion. Maybe they thought if you measure an engine hot verses cold it probably expands another cubic inch , lol

[DanEC]

I believe the 428s Ford provided were Police Interceptors but I’m not sure if they had the old PI mechanical cam in them or not.

Checking back it looks like the 428 (P) police interceptor was used for the 428 Cobras and the 67 Shelby GT500, both with hydraulic lifters.