To build or not to build, that is the ?

[428street]

I am in the slow process of saving, buying building an ERA. I want to build a 428 street car with straight exhaust.

I have a very good friend of mine who has been restoring cars for 25+ years has done a bunch of engines. Chevy engines, Ponitac, snowmobile, etc. From everything I can see he is a great mechanic. We call him Forest Gump as everything he does is incredible.

I have always wanted to build an engine and when I told my friend about wanting to build an ERA kit he said he would love to help me build the engine.

From all that I have read and heard I guess FE engines are a little "different" then others.

What is your opinion on this? Should we try to build this ourselves or bring it to a qualified FE engine builder. BTW, it's less a money saving issue then just one of those things I want to do.

Any suggestions?

TIA

[ENTDOC]

I say do it.If you are going to invest in a high dollar rare C5 427so block you might be wise to let an expert do it ,however if it is a 428 or 390 the risks are lower as they are plentiful.Get a good FE rebuild book and have at it.Nothing really magic about an FE. chuck

[66cobraboy]

Do it !!!!!!!!!

I agree with Chuck. Even if someone else did it, you would still need to maintain it or always be going back for help that you might or might not get.JUST remember its an air pump!!

Best Luck.

Eric

[CJ428CJ]

Building your own FE is not that complex as long as you keep things relatively simple. Rebuilding an existing complete engine that you're able to disassemble yourself is a lot easier than say starting with a bare block, buying a crank, timing chain cover, etc that you haven't had the benefit of disassembling. Similarly, things could get a lot more complex if you plan on stroking it. I built my own 428 and have had no regrets. I'm relatively mechanically inclined but up until I built my 428 I had only built a small block Chevy and a Buick V6.

Chris

[428street]

Are there any "things" I should watch out for that you discovered that where not in the books.

I have many parts for this already. I have a C6ME-A standard bore block. Needs to go 30 over.

I have a 67 PI intake, valve covers, timing chain, Edelbrock WP, etc.

I am going with Edelbrock Aluminum heads. No idea on the crank, rods and pistons. I have had the block at the machine chop for a while waiting for him to get the parts!!

Any other input would be helpful.

[Bruce Edwards]

Build you own. You will have a better idea of what you have and if something does go wrong you will have the knowledge to repair it.
The older engines are not hard to build. One thing you will want to do is get a good machine shop to do the machine work. Your friend should have a machine shop he uses and trust.
Do some reading and figure out what you want the engine to do for you.
You will be a lot happier with it if you build it the way you want it.

[RICK LAKE]

428 street Hi welcome to the ERA club Get some books on the FE motor and read. MAKE NOTES. ERA has an enigine company they have been using for years, I have heard of no problems. At lease let them do the short block. You have Gessford M , Kraft M, and others who build these motors. ASK questions, alot then decide what you are looking for with this motor. Streetably and Quiet, Loud and *****y, or Strong and Durable. Kit car show is coming up in May, Go to it and get a good idea about what you motor will sound like. Get prices or rough cost on parts. Check with FE-Ford on Ebay, there are parts for sale on there. Jegs, Summit, and PAW all have parts for an FE. Check pricing on all your parts, you can save 20-30% by shopping around. Power and speed is all about who much money you want to put into the car. I have a 360 hp motor in my ERA, runs 12.50s all day in the 1/4 mile. I do very well in autocross and roadracing with a stock motor. It idles at 700 rpm smooth. I am building another Shelby motor that is bigger 489, 11.0-1comp 600" lift cam, 6.7 rods, 4.25 crank, I am looking for 600 tork and 550 hp when done. You have to remember that a Cobra wieghts 2500 lbs with motor give or take 200 lbs. Much more the 500 hp 550tork THESE car are hand fulls. Talk to Pete, Doug, and Jim H at ERA, they give GOOD ADVICE Rick Lake

[428street]

Rick:

Thanks for the advice. I am dying to go down to ERA and give them my deposit but I made a deal with my wife (and not ashamed to say) so that's got to happen first. I told her we will buy another house which is fine but now we can't find one!

I am looking for street driving only and reliability. I would like to go to VT, Cape Code, NH and not worry about anything (as much as I can).

I am not a racer or have any desire to race, drag, etc. This is not to take away from anyone who does, just not my game.

I have been in love with the Cobra for many years, the rear end is unlike anything I have ever seen.

[FFR428]

Check out www.fordfe.com also. The archives are full of build questions and answers and by all means post on the forum too. I say go for it. I have as well as many others. Just take your time reasearch everything as you go along. There are some good tips for the edelbrock heads that you should do. Keep us posted. G.