Great 428 CJ Article - Build Specs and Tips

[REDSC400]

Last evening, while working on my CObra bibliography I ran across an old issue of Hot Rod (in my collection) that featured the most wonderful article on how to blueprint a 428 Cobra Jet. The 5 page article was written back in September of 1975 and puts engine builder Carl Holbrook of Michigan under the microscope has he shares his technical tips and knowledge on the 428 CJ.

Carl shows how to add side bolts (427 style) to the mains resulting in a 4 bolt style cross bolted crank. Springs, rockers, sleeving, rods, arms... they are all covered. Carl's build is for drag racing engines. The article is complete with picutres of Carls Mustang "Instant Action" with front wheels up in the air. BTW Carl appears to have won Super Stock and Stock Eliminator at NHRA Divisionals.

Now I bet some of this information may be superceeded but there are some good pearls of wisdom in this 29 year old article.

I have included a shot of the cover. It is VOL 28 No 9. This issue is somewhat hard to find. Keep checking ebay, I see them come up there from time to time.

Does anyone know of other good FE build articles that I should perhaps add to my bibliography?

[FFR428]

Very cool. My hotrod collection is long gone. Do you have the red ERA I see at marcus dairy every now and then? G.

[FFR428]

Nope just looked in your gallery and see it's blue. Nice car! G.

[REDSC400]

Hi G!
Yup, as the photos show its a blue ERA. I am right near you just up the coast aways. There are a few of us who are pretty active Cobra owners in CT and we get together for cruises. The core group is about 5 Cobras. A silver SPF with black stripes, a dark green FFR with no stripes, a dark blue with white stripe FFR, a roman red ERA with white stripes and mine. Pretty much we are from Stratford, Milford and West Haven.

If the weather today (Sunday 12/5) is tolerable a few of us may go out for a short ride. Keep in touch and private message me and we can hook up.

There are not too many FFRs with big blocks in them from what I have seen. I would like to see yours some day.

Regarding the red ERA Cobra, yes I know the owner. The compression is so high on that engine that pebbles vibrate on the ground within a 15 foot radius of the car. It is a monster machine for sure. He has to use 102+ octane fuel for that baby so his cruising range is somewhat limited.

[chuckbrandt]

Hi Art,
Nice bibliography, I hadn't seen it before. I have a few vintage articles and ford documents to contribute if you are wanting FE stuff.

Let me know, I can scan covers too.

Chuck

[FFR428]

Art thanks for the offer. We are doing the Christmas tree and decorating today however and thanks for the offer. It's nice to know the guys are in the area. Keep me in mind as spring rolls around though! G.

[REDSC400]

Originally posted by chuckbrandt


Hi Art,
Nice bibliography, I hadn't seen it before. I have a few vintage articles and ford documents to contribute if you are wanting FE stuff.

Let me know, I can scan covers too.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck, if you can message me the magazine title and issue number and date then I can look for those magazines. My bibliography list stuff that is in my collection so if I do not have it then it does not go into the bibliography.

Much Appreciated..