427 side oiler

[chas427fe]

Am wondering if my block has any value or should I just scrap it? When I bought my B&B it was in the car but started blowing water immediately. Took it apart and found a 428 Cobra jet crank, TRW pistons .030 over, Lemans rods but the block is a different story. Two cylinders have sleeves and one has a vertical crack, it appears at one time it threw 2 rods and damaged the base of 4 of the cylinders and blew two holes in the side wall of the block which have been repaired by welding plate into the holes. When I bought the car it ran real well but like I said it was blowing water. Scrap? Thanks for any info. Chas

[flwolfman]

Is it a 427 side oiler or a 428? A lot of people stroke a 427 with a 428 crank. Sleeves are not uncommon either. I would have a good machine shop familiar with FE's take a look at it. All it may need is the sleeve replaced and you're good to go. Or it may be time to look for another block. I would get a professional opinion. Good luck with this. Jim

[RedCSX1]

You may be better off in the end with a cast iron Pond or Gen block when you look at the total cost for the sleaves and machine work.

[lineslinger]

Like flwolfman said, at least get an idea of the true extent of the damage before you turn it into a boat anchor.
My first 427 so block was a a bust, cracked bearing girdle. Luckily I bought it on the cheap hoping to get it repaired, too many said it will come back to haunt you or was beyond repair, so I dumped it
Yours sounds like its pretty trashed so get an quality opinion and save yourself some long term grief, and money.

[Excaliber]

A new Pond or Dove block will also require machining. I'd consider keeping the existing block, have it checked and get an estimate.

[Dwight]

Call Keith Craft, he has several CJ blocks and can build you a motor. He may be able to use some of your parts, maybe not. You could pick up a good 390 truck block and build another motor using your parts.
Dwight

[ffindling]

The only reason I can think of for trying to ressurect a thoroughly trashed
vintage block would be for smog exemption purposes. It does carry a certain
risk, you could put a lot of money into fixing up an old block only to find out
your state's smog referee won't accept it as exempt.

....Fred

[fostereast]

Show us a picture of the damage N/M

[chas427fe]

Thanks, everybody for your replies. I should have clarified this by saying that I don't want to rebuild it myself. I have already had Keith Craft build me a CJ block bored and stroked to 460 and put 900 miles on it. I'm trying to determine if I should try to sell it/give it to someone/throw it in our dumpster. Pull the crank and just sell it if it is in good shape or what. It is in my company warehouse and I would like it to go away. It definitely is a side oiler with screw in freeze plugs, etc.

[flwolfman]

Then I think you should give it to me! Jim

[FFR428]

Or me!!! Don't scrap it whatever you do.

[Barry_R]

Sell it. I bet you get $800-$1G.
I ran a 427 with five sleeves and two welded up windows for years.
The windows are almost considered "normal" in the old school FE drag racer community - and can be cosmetically better repaired with pieces from a 390 donor block.

[chas427fe]

Barry, thanks. Sounds like it is worth trying to sell. I will give ebay a shot. Chas

[SFM5S159]

Hey,
What about giving your buddies on Club Cobra a shot before e-bay?
What better way to find a buyer?
I did this myself with a set of carbs and had good luck.
Mike C.