Southern Automotive ( 406 ) - Page 2

Johnnyquest · #21 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 02:15 PM

No problem!

My original thread was about the 406 and the likelyhood of using Southern Automotive for my build. This thread has strayed from that I believe, but most viewpoints are accepted and appreciated.

My main problem may be the setup on my car and not the 406 or 428 motor but installation costs associated with it.

Currently, I have a injected setup which from what I read the following has to change:

Fuel pump, fuel pickup, fuel lines, fuel regulator, harness revisions, computer deletion, ignition revisions. Plus new motor mounts, minor hose revisions.

Anything else?

Any guess how much $$$$ for removal of current motor & installation of big block?

Johnnyquest · #22 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 02:27 PM

FFR428 not sure about the "Authentic Replication 427 Main Cap Cross Bolts" ( 406 & 428 blocks ) per the SA engine option list.

Its only $100 so probably not much involved. SA is on vacation until 1/5 so I haven't talked about anything yet, just looked at their price sheet and other goodies.

Thanks for the heads up though.

Randy

rritchey · #23 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 02:38 PM

johnnyquest,

I can tell you for sure that if they are starting with a 390 block (which they are) there are pitiful few 390 blocks that have the pads / bosses on the inside to accomodate real functional cross bolts. For $100 they are tapping the side of the block, machining a washer bearing surface around the bolt hole on the outside, and putting in a very short 3/8" bolt so it looks like a cross bolt. It costs more than $100 just to buy a set of 427 caps that accept cross bolts. I'm not dissing them or saying anything bad about them, it's just more eye candy for those who want the look of cross bolts. There are also many other items that visibly differentiate a 406 block from a 390 block such as casting numbers and so on, so I don't really see the reason for doing it. Not all 406 blocks were cross bolted anyway. Just another person's 2 cents.

Johnnyquest · #24 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 02:54 PM

rritchey, thanks for your input. How can you see them? My car you can barely put your hand under it anyway! I'm more into the shock and awe factor! Open the hood and WOW! That's what I want to hear. Some polishing going on, not too much, nice turkey pan, good wiring setup, authentic as much as you can do for a replica. And the shock, turn the key and hear that big block!

JQ

rritchey · #25 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 03:12 PM

JQ,

Most people who have cross bolts use mirrors on the ground under the car so people can see. Only good for shows and such. The cross bolts and sideoiler blocks are mostly for bragging rights, but hey, if you have a cobra at all thats grounds for bragging. That is why I recommend that you get a good 428 and spend the money up top on the aluminum heads and intake, nice valve covers and such. E-mail me if you want to talk about a 428, I have a few good ones (fresh rebuild), and of course still have the 406 blocks.

Tony Radford · #26 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 03:53 PM

JQ, go to my gallery and you can see a pic of my engine before it went in the car. Talk about polishing, I pretty much went balls to the wall on the "show appeal". Southern has a great polishing shop here in Atlanta that they use, mostly for their hot rod engines. Bill delivered exactly what I wanted (including some things I wasn't smart enough to ask for), but definitely struggled with putting a "chrome motor" in a Cobra. It really came out great. I can't emphasize enough the benefit of going with a super-experienced shop like Southern Automotive to get a RELIABLE rocket motor.

Johnnyquest · #27 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 04:08 PM

Looks Yummy!

What motor did you have before? How much to remove and install that purdy one?

Randy

pgermond · #28 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 08:35 PM

Got a 406 from SA.

Love it

joea · #29 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 09:00 PM

FYI...I have one of rritchey's 428CJ blocks if any one needs a reference.

Tony Radford · #30 (**permalink**) 01-01-2004, 05:16 AM

Randy, the original motor was also Southern Automotive. It was a stock stroke Windsor (my gallery has some earlier pics of my car with the previous engine in it). It made about 410 HP and was extremely reliable. Had a great idle to it. I put just under 9,000 miles on it. I just wanted more excitement and show appeal. Plus, I'm running the 427 side badges and convinced my wife that it was illegal to run fewer cubes that I advertised. I think I paid around $800 for the "turnkey" service of dropping off the car and picking it back up ready to go. It's not a service Bill likes to provide, the only thing he just likes better than building motors is to have a happy customer.

casaleenie · #31 (**permalink**) 01-01-2004, 07:58 AM

[quote]Originally posted by Tony Radford

I just wanted more excitement and show appeal. Plus, I'm running the 427 side badges and convinced my wife that it was illegal to run fewer cubes that I advertised.

Tony,

You're quite right about the truth in advertising scam... Our prisons are full of guys who falsified the 427 side badges and paid the ultimate price...
At least now your wife won't have to be visiting you in the "big house". You're a prince to have the engine problem taken care of.. I just hope our wifes appreciate what we do for them

.

al

susan parham · #32 (**permalink**) 01-01-2004, 09:05 AM

Ok guys - Bill's fishing this morning and I'm cooking lunch (once a year afair!) but he will be at work Monday a.m. I believe our position is " replica cross bolt caps for a replica motor for a replica car".Absolutely no hidden agenda here. And yes - we will polish the whole engine compartment - ala Radford - but really balk at red or yellow plug wires (Jason). Have a Happy New Year. Call us on Monday. Susan

Rick Bagley · #33 (**permalink**) 01-01-2004, 10:25 AM

I have a nice SA 427 side-oiler, see my gallery. Added some extra things to the base engine but I have an engine that I am very happy with. I am a toploader man, have the close ratio big input big output. I wont have any transmission problems, this Dog will Hunt.

misfit41 · #34 (**permalink**) 01-01-2004, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Bagley

I have a nice SA 427 side-oiler, see my gallery. Added some extra things to the base engine but I have an engine that I am very happy with. I am a toploader man, have the close ratio big input big output. I wont have any transmission problems, this Dog will Hunt.

Rick,,
I saw your car at the talbot tavern in bardstown this fall,what a wonderful job you did,it really stood out around all those spf cars,it is an awesome car.
have you ever mounted slicks and launched your car hard ? for some reason i am afraid to do that,,I feel guilty like I am abising it,but I would love to know what it could do in an all out run,,then again I am afraid I will get used to it.
is your engine from SA ? or built locally ?
P.S. I agree with you on the toploader,,nothing feels quite one to me,
have a great bew years ,,Tim

patrija · #35 (**permalink**) 01-08-2004, 09:21 PM

I have had one of SAEs 406 engines for two years now and both the engine and everyone at SAE has been outstanding. You'd have to know how much of a hack I am and the kind of help I've required to really appreciate how good the SAE folks are to their Customers.

I think Susan summed it up best - SAE's 406 is the perfect REPLICA engine for your REPLICA cobra. Of course everyone would like to have a 427SO, but for those of us who didn't have that financial luxury (yet, I'm working on it) - the 406 is the best thing going. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks!

Jason

PS - NEVER and I repeat NEVER put anything other than black spark wires on your FE, particularly if the wrong color (red) wires have poor boots and shock the heck out of Bill when he's nice enough to help.

PSS - I still can't find the key to my hood that Bill hid. I have some new things I want to try out with the engine

GeorgiaSnake · #36 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 05:16 AM

[quote]Originally posted by patrija

Jason

PS - NEVER and I repeat NEVER put anything other than black spark wires on your FE, particularly if the wrong color (red) wires have poor boots and shock the heck out of Bill when he's nice enough to help.

I was standing next to Bill when he "tested" your plug wires. Let me tell you - that man can flat dance, he should be on MTV. He also exhibited extreme patience, I would have taken a hammer to your car - all he did was yank off the "street rod wires" and put on some good ones. He did mumble something about Jason but this is a family board so it will remain unsaid

The 406 motor is offered as a REPLICA of a side oiler with cross bolt mains, it is not meant to decieve or be something it is not. Bill is very up front about this choice and will spend hours expalining what it is and why he offers it. The man is as honest as the day is long.

Randy

Rick Bagley · #37 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 09:40 AM

Misfit,

Thanks, for the compliment, yes the basic engine is from SA. I have never had slicks on it. With the 3:31 rear gear it's not much of a "drag car". The only thing I can tell you, like all Cobra's in the 500 HP class when your rolling at 10 MPH and you nail it you better be pointed straight. The Auburn unit helps it hook up.
I run the car but I don't abuse it, just my make up I guess.
The assesment of the fake cross bolt mains is correct. SA just drills and taps the block and inserts the bolts to make it appear that it has cross bolt mains.



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