To buy or not to buy a 427

[Excaliber]

The FE engine series includes quite a large number of engines. The most common of which are the 352, 390, 427 and 428. There are several other variations using different cranks, bore size, etc. Lots's of parts interchanged between the engines. 390 block with a 428 crank gives you a 406 I think it was?

427 with a 428 crank gives you a 450, etc.

Anyway, the term FE has been around a LONG time, since the late 1950's with the first FE, which I believe was a 332?

Shelby is OFTEN copied, it makes sense for him to protect ANYTHING with HIS name on it. HIS motors are not "original" FE's, like his cars, their "continuation" models? But the name "Shelby 427 FE" is what the trademark is all about.

[JonnyJ]

Thanks Excaliber.

Jon

[Adrian472]

Hi
Any you guys using std spec 425hp side oilers? Whats the low end torgue like on a std 425hp engine? whats the benifit of going stroker for everyday type driving?
Adrian

[FFR428]

And FWIW a 390 with a 428 crank is a 410. A 406 with a 428 crank is a 428 as the cyl bore is the same on both (4.13) The stock 406 used the shorter 3.78 390/427 stroke cranks unlike the std 428's at 3.98. G.

[Clois Harlan]

I have had a couple 428 CJ's and I have known about the 406 and 410 for a long time and I was wondering what pro's and cons are there to the 406 and 428. I would think the 406 would be a higher reving engine than the 428? Anyone know why these options emerged (drag racing-road racing etc)?

Clois

[jdog]

As one who is currently building a high performance 66' 427fe side oiler @ 600/600, I can tell you what FE stands for: *ucking *xpensive!
Once you start building a 427fe side oiler the first thing you have to do is quit asking "how much $?", or you'll never get anywhere with it.

Also, quit talking anything about the price around you wife, she probably won't understand this whole 427fe side oiler thing. A well built one is not for the 'shy or faint- hearted'. There is nothing like the 'rocket launch' sound and feel of a strong 427fe at 'takeoff'!

I never understood why anyone would put anything but a 427 or 428 in a 427 Cobra. If it's 'handling & balance' your after, there are many better handling and more balanced cars out there than Cobras.

Those that arn't convinced by looking under the hood, will be convinced when you finally let them out of the passanger seat!

Look at the name of the car: 'It's all about the 427'!

jdog

P.S. Now I'm off to my 2nd job, I didn't say there wasn't a price to pay! I've got to pay for this some way.

[bmalone]

Clois, the 406 had a short life; from '61 - '63. In terms of development, it was the predecessor that lead directly to the 427 CO. It was run in NASCAR. It was a race-oriented motor from the outset. Consider that it made peak HP at 5800; kind of tells you its orientation. 11.7:1 CR and 405 HP w/ 6v or 385 w/ 1v. Opening the bore was the next logical step--hence the 427.

[Burgs]

dlampe

Well, have you decided?

[Ford of France]

Unfortunately, Jdog, the heritage and the prestige was derived from winning domestic and FIA races (Remember the World Championship Cup achieved only once by an American automotive manufacturer)?

That distinction is somehow absent with the 427 Cobra.