427 Fe Sohc

olddog · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 06:57 PM

Been reading a new book by Pat Ganahl (a re-write around 1997). First I always thought it was a semi-hemi, but guess it was a true hemi. That kind of peaked my interest. I have a few questions.

Will a SOHC 427 fit it a Cobra or is the heads too big? By fit, I mean without massive changes. Slight to moderate changes would be reasonable.

Did any aftermarket companies produce similar heads?

Did anyone ever offer a gear drive or better timing chain design than the 6 foot rubber-band-chain that came on them?

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 07:10 PM

They will fit....I've seen several ERA Cobras with SOHC motors in them. The footboxes have to be notched to clear the heads....and I'm thinking the steering shaft may have to be offset as well.

There are gear drives available for the FE SOHC.

Dove is making SOHC heads currently.

olddog · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the info.

DonC · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 11:14 PM

Saw a mention of a gear drive for to replace the chain somewhere but don't remember where I saw it.
DonC

lineslinger · #5 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 12:22 AM

Cammer gear drive is literally thousands of dollars, ONLY a $100 plus for a cammer chain.

lineslinger · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 12:27 AM

Check with CC member Full Throttle Al...he is running a cammer in his Cobra, I lifted a picture for you to check out from his gallery

Jamo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 12:48 AM

Bill Malone's building a CSX 4000 with one as we speak. Footbox mods to be sure, but the plugs are a dam sight easier to get to than an FE.

Lowell W · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 05:53 AM

Quote:

...the plugs are a dam sight easier to get to than an FE.

OOOHHHH...now I get it...THAT'S why these guys go to all the trouble to put one of those things in a Cobra!

Sure is gorgeous...

Lowell

elric · #9 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 08:09 AM

I have one going into an ERA as well. I'd like to a blog on the engine build but don't have the time right now; or the computer smarts.

RICK LAKE · #10 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 10:39 AM

olddog There are a couple of companies that are maken parts for the Cammer motor. If you goto cammerconcepts, that is a place to start. Also the 352-428 fe forumn has a couple of guys that are working on the main parts, timing covers,plates, chains,stub shafts, gears, and other misc parts. As for gear drives I have seen pictures of 3. One cuts the timing cover off with a glimmer belt setup the FFP built Ron Miller. Jim B is maken parts and selling them on E-Bay. I have 6 people who are selling parts for SOHC motors. These parts are cast from the OEM ones. Rick Lake

olddog · #11 (**permalink**) 11-13-2006, 08:56 PM

I'm not the greatest at surfing the net. The cammerconcepts website I got to just left me hanging at an advertisement page. After finally finding Doves first name YaHoo finally found their site. Dove has a lot of great information on FE engines. Pictures of SOHC heads, but no prices.

Honestly I do not want to put a fortune in an engine. For me it would take the fun out of hammering it. What ever I build, I will spend the money for a set of heads that have good flow and like the weight savings of aluminum. So I was wandering what would a set of SOHC heads cost verses a set of good aluminum heads? I'm sure there are other goodies that have to bought too, but would like to understand the cost differance. Anyone ever price these heads?

Thanks

Woodz428 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-13-2006, 09:08 PM

It's been many years since I saw one in person(2 actually) and I was thinking that they had iron heads, at least the majority of the crate engines sold. Both these were new in the crate from H-M. I'm sure the replacement ones being made are aluminum, but there would be no weight savings with original ones.

Commander · #13 (**permalink**) 11-13-2006, 09:14 PM

You can't just look at the cost of the heads themselves.

If you go SOHC, you'd need not only the heads themselves, but the front cover (and backing plate), specially modified water pump, special pistons, the chains, and the two cams. And the cams are ground unlike any 'normal' cams and so, are NOT cheap themselves.

So basically, you're looking at $15,000-$20,000 MINIMUM for a SOHC engine vs way way way way less for a pushrod FE (and $30,000-$40,000++ cammers are probably more common if you get any builder(s) involved).

elric · #14 (**permalink**) 11-13-2006, 09:24 PM

You'd be hard pressed to get into a sohc for somewhere south of about $35k. There are alot of extra little pieces that can be hard to obtain. If you had a good relationship with your engine builder you won't by the time a cammer is done. There are so many little quirks and tips/tricks that are well beyond a 427SO. I love this motor but if I didn't already have it I wouldn't bother.

olddog · #15 (**permalink**) 11-13-2006, 09:44 PM

Well that says enough for me.

I understand all the other parts, but rebuilding any engine to a performance level is going to require pistons, rods, cams, and heads. I can see these special parts are all going to cost more, but how much more seems to be more based on what can they get you to pay rather than what does it cost to produce it. I can see 33% or so more actual cost to cast a head and machine cam journals, but a piston shouldn't cost 25% more. A taller round dome just isn't rocket science. It shouldn't be all that more costly to machine a cam with less journals. Just my opinion, and that is quite worthless, I know.

Commander · #16 (**permalink**) 11-13-2006, 10:12 PM

Actually, the SOHC piston is a pretty complicated casting.

from some current ebay auctions:

And the cam's grind is so unique, that I believe there is currently only 1 company that has the equipment to do it nowadays. It's not about journals.

Don't forget about the special intake and exhaust manifolds...

Woodz428 · #17 (**permalink**) 11-15-2006, 09:55 PM

If that piston/ rod is being sold as a SOHC set, I think the seller is ill informed. That appears to be a Rod and Piston from a Boss 429. Completely different. The single piston lookslike one, but the set is definetly Boss 429. Look at the 2 pistons and you can see that the upper one has the valve reliefs perpedicular to the pin line. the Boss piston has the valve reliefs "rotated" off the center line..

Rickster 1 · #18 (**permalink**) 11-26-2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lineslinger

Check with CC member Full Throttle Al...he is running a cammer in his Cobra, I lifted a picture for you to check out from his gallery

Hello;
I love this picture on the 427 Cammer engine which Full Throttle AL . build .
I have read that this engine put out 625 Hp, I would like to duplicate this engine and put it into my Corba or my 1968 Mustang .

Was this engine special made ? Can I get parts and build one ect?

Rickster 1

Woodz428 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-26-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickster 1

Hello;
I love this picture on the 427 Cammer engine which Full Throttle AL . build .
I have read that this engine put out 625 Hp, I would like to duplicate this engine and put it into my Corba or my 1968 Mustang .

Was this engine special made ? Can I get parts and build one ect?

Rickster 1

Well yes and no. They were specially built at Ford, but never made it into production( thank Bill France), and were sold as crate engines complete. Now you may still be able to find a crate, highly expensive unless your uncle/father/anyone that is fond of you bought one new and has it in the garage. Usually even the new ones should be gone through for various reasons. Aftermarket parts are becoming available so you could "piece" one together, also pretty pricey. They are absolutely beautiful and are "mecca" to many of us old Ford guys. If you are serious, you can check in a recent Hemmings, they used to have a few guys in there that listed parts and engines. It would be a nice place to start. Bring lots of money, you'll be surprised how fast it goes...but one of the guys that has built one recently can tell you more about that.

lineslinger · #20 (**permalink**) 11-26-2006, 04:45 PM

Rickster 1,
There are sources where you can acquire the components for a cammer build, but the numbers being thrown around are pretty accurate. one of my sources has a set of original aluminum heads...only 8 grand...bare of course, or he can set you up with a cast iron set for a little over 4 thousand. A properly machined block? New or original? He is modifying a Pond aluminum block right now for a cammer build, that is easily another 7 grand. Have you ever priced an original set of magnesium cammer valve covers?
If you are prepared to fund such a build more power to you...I would tell you to go for it. Unless you are an expereinced FE builder I might suggest you leave the engine construction to the guys that do it for a living, the cammer especially is a beast unto itself. If not, once again, try it yourself. I would think it would end up costing you more in the long run due to having an expereinced builder fix the mistakes of a first timer.
If you need a parts source of want to talk with a builder who can put the real deal together for you send me a pm and I can put you in touch with some quality sources.
Mark



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