Blueprint Motors, Feedback

[Gus M]

Looking for feedback on Blueprint's dependability as a motor, leaks, performance, etc as a weekend driver for a Superformance?

Any and all input appreciated.

Thanks

[blykins]

I'd be happy to give you a quote for an engine.....I'm an all-Ford builder. Lots of guys here on the forum have one of my engines in their replicas.

[CCKW353]

Brent did my motor (427FE sideoiler) and worth a call. Great to work with and is always available when needed, great customer service. He is in KY and I am in PA. Never noticed the distance... ha

[427Larry]

I know you are looking for on information about Blueprint, but I thought I would add. I use Woody's Automotive Machine, Thorntown, Indiana, even though I live in southern Indiana. He has been building them for 50 years. Does everything in house, machine work, build, and dyno, which also saves you money. The best of the best. Very well known in the racing community, and stands behind his work. But he stays very busy, usually has about 14 engines to do at at time, but has been running about 50 since this summer. He building me a 427 Fe right now. A nice honest guy, who I have been using for 30 years. Good luck!

[Sawdust]

Originally Posted by Gus M

Looking for feedback on Blueprint's dependability as a motor, leaks, performance, etc as a weekend driver for a Superformance?

Any and all input appreciated.

Thanks

Gus,
Take the time to talk to Brent Lykins. A straight shooter who know how to build a Ford engine. You won’t get any better customer service anywhere!

[olddog]

Originally Posted by Gus M

Looking for feedback on Blueprint's dependability as a motor, leaks, performance, etc as a weekend driver for a Superformance?

Any and all input appreciated.

Thanks

I have heard of this shop on this forum several times. To my memory it has always been a new guy asking. I don't think many folks here have used them.

You never said what engine family you are wanting to get.

I looked at the site. The prices seemed low. Then I realized they were listing the price of their lowest power option with their highest Hp engine. Up to X horse power starting at $Y.

I looked at a 347 stroker Part #: BP3472CTCS. 330 HP / 380 FT LBS
- It has Ford cast iron heads they claim to have modified. Note not ported.
- Cylinders are honed to 0.0002" round, but no mention of torque plates.
- It is bored 0.040" over. Nothing left for another rebuild.
- They claim a blueprint cast steel crank. I doubt they cast cranks, so why not tell the manufacturer. Likely what ever manufacturer is offering a buck less that week.
- Forged rods and piston, but again no manufacture listed.
- No mention of rocker arms. I bet factory rockers.
- The killer for me is a flat tappet cam. Ford switched to hydraulic rollers close to 40 years ago. The mild cam specks are going to perform even worse as a flat tappet

No wonder the prices looked a tad low. They are selling a remanufactured junkyard engine with a couple cheap performance parts. Given what they are putting in this engine the Hp is questionable in my mind.

Last point; they build Ford, GM, and Mopar. A jack of all trades is often a master of none. Talk to Brent BLYKINS. He was the 2nd post in this thread

[Gus M]

Wow, a lot of information for a non-gearhead like me to try and absorb. The information provided is enlightening and I'm interested in learning more.

I can change oil, brake pads and in my 1968 Mopar do plugs, points, timing but reading the thread, the options and understanding the specs of the motors...I feel like I'm drinking out of a fire hydrant.

Olddog's review of the Blueprint website is informative and has me pausing in looking further into that option.

I also find interesting that 427Larry is having a 427 FE built. I'm looking at that as well.

What I've learned is, talk to people who know! Thanks to all for the effort you put into this tread in helping me understand what my best option may be.

I may take your advise and call Brent and Woody's Automotive.

Thanks

Gus

[blykins]

I'd be happy to speak to you in detail.

In other professions, there are specialists in their fields. Lawyers break down into corporate lawyers, tax lawyers, etc. Doctors break down into orthopedic surgeons, neonatal specialists, etc.

I'm a Ford engine builder, but I specialize in FE's. Of all the engines on my docket right now, I have (1) 390, (1) 352, (2) 428's, (1) 427 High Riser, (1) 465 Tunnel Port, and (5) 496's. Several of those engines belong to Club Cobra forum members.

I also manufacturer or arrange the manufacturing of several FE-related products, including roller-tipped non-adjustable rocker arms, 1-piece laser cut rocker stand shims, and some tools for working on Fords.

[Hotoxide]

Gus M -
I selected a BluePrint small block 427 for my Superformance Cobra. Why? I did not feel the need for a big block unless I wanted an increase in displacement greater than 427 cid.
Check their website, some of the specs:
Dart block
Forged Crank, pistons, rods
Roller hydraulic lifters
Aluminum heads and intake manifold
Holly carb
MSD ignition
The dyno sheet for my engine claims 548 HP and 542 torque
Warranty: 30 months, 50 thousand miles
Give them a call if you have any other questions, unlike a competitor they answered my call and answered all my questions.
Part # BPF4273CTCK serial # 354439
The install done by Crown in Tucson is quite sanitary including a remote oil filter. Spark plugs are a easy reach on the small block. There have been no leaks.

Dave and SNAKE65 -- so far so good

[CobraResurrect]

Originally Posted by Hotoxide

Gus M -
I selected a BluePrint small block 427 for my Superformance Cobra. Why? I did not feel the need for a big block unless I wanted an increase in displacement greater than 427 cid.
Check their website, some of the specs:
Dart block
Forged Crank, pistons, rods
Roller hydraulic lifters
Aluminum heads and intake manifold
Holly carb
MSD ignition
The dyno sheet for my engine claims 548 HP and 542 torque
Warranty: 30 months, 50 thousand miles
Give them a call if you have any other questions, unlike a competitor they answered my call and answered all my questions.
Part # BPF4273CTCK serial # 354439
The install done by Crown in Tucson is quite sanitary including a remote oil filter. Spark plugs are a easy reach on the small block. There have been no leaks.

Dave and SNAKE65 -- so far so good

What crank, pistons, rods and heads went into the build?

[MKS427]

Originally Posted by Gus M

I also find interesting that 427Larry is having a 427 FE built. I'm looking at that as well.

Thanks

Gus

FEs are essential if you want to be period correct. However, a stroker SBF factory block, up to 408 cu in, is about 150 pounds lighter and $4,000 less than FE iron block. SBF/Dart block up to 468, I went with 427 per builders recommendations for longevity, about $2000 less.

[Dwight]

No one has commented on the Blueprint engines.

They are sold through Jegs and Summit.

We just tore down a $6100 347 Blue Print motor sold by Jegs. We know it had 5,000 miles on it but think it may have had less than a thousand miles when Ron bought the car last year. We are guessing 6,000.

The second time Ron wound it up through third gear one of the .040"
hypereutectic piston broke a piece out of the top. Common problem with Hypereutectic pistons if the rings are not gaped correct.
I had two engine mechanic to look at it. They said the rings were gaped to tight for the amount of heat build up when running the motor hard. One builder said he ran a Chev with hypereutectic pistons on his drag car for two years with no problem but he gaped the rings more than recommended.

The crank and rods are cast, Melling oil pump, MSD distributor, Holley carb, cast cam that was being eat up because the distributor gear was steel, Edelbrock fuel pump, all the other parts have no numbers on them or they are the cheapest part available.

This is the only Blue Print motor I have seen. Make your own decision.

We are having the motor rebuild with forged pistons and a new cam. Ron over paid for the Mustang and does not want to buy a new motor.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Dwight

No one has commented on the Blueprint engines.

They are sold through Jegs and Summit.

We just tore down a $6100 347 Blue Print motor sold by Jegs. We know it had 5,000 miles on it but think it may have had less than a thousand miles when Ron bought the car last year. We are guessing 6,000.

The second time Ron wound it up through third gear one of the .040"
hypereutectic piston broke a piece out of the top. Common problem with Hypereutectic pistons if the rings are not gaped correct.
I had two engine mechanic to look at it. They said the rings were gaped to tight for the amount of heat build up when running the motor hard. One builder said he ran a Chev with hypereutectic pistons on his drag car for two years with no problem but he gaped the rings more than recommended.

The crank and rods are cast, Melling oil pump, MSD distributor, Holley carb, cast cam that was being eat up because the distributor gear was steel, Edelbrock fuel pump, all the other parts have no numbers on them or they are the cheapest part available.

This is the only Blue Print motor I have seen. Make your own decision.

We are having the motor rebuild with forged pistons and a new cam. Ron over paid for the Mustang and does not want to buy a new motor.

No different than Jasper or others. Assembly line engines. You get what you pay for.

[Grubby]

Brent is building a 496 FE for me. It will go in a ERA 427.

You are more likely to get what you want and need with a custom engine. It could even be cheaper than a crate.

Talk to Brent and other builders and then decide.

John

[daverascal]

I have a 408 Winsor in my car. I had planned on a BBF but my engine builder talked me out of it. He said the hp to weight ratio isn't there unless you build a mountain motor. My only advice is to use best internal parts you can buy. My only regret on my build, I used a Ford block and I'm at the limit of the block. I have main stud girdle and arp studs everyplace. If i could do it over I would have used a dart block.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by daverascal

I have a 408 Winsor in my car. I had planned on a BBF but my engine builder talked me out of it. He said the hp to weight ratio isn't there unless you build a mountain motor. My only advice is to use best internal parts you can buy. My only regret on my build, I used a Ford block and I'm at the limit of the block. I have main stud girdle and arp studs everyplace. If i could do it over I would have used a dart block.

Girdles don't do anything, unfortunately. Lots of nice photos of SBF blocks split in half with the girdle holding the main caps together.

The 302/5.0 block won't take as much horsepower before letting go, but unless you're making over 600 hp with that 408, you're in no danger of hurting it.

[daverascal]

Originally Posted by blykins

Girdles don't do anything, unfortunately. Lots of nice photos of SBF blocks split in half with the girdle holding the main caps together.

The 302/5.0 block won't take as much horsepower before letting go, but unless you're making over 600 hp with that 408, you're in no danger of hurting it.

Made 615 rwhp 3 years ago on dyno. I try not to crank it too hard. So far no problems. But I figure it's a matter of time before it craps out. Already have a plan to build a 434 sbf lol

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by blykins

Girdles don't do anything, unfortunately. Lots of nice photos of SBF blocks split in half with the girdle holding the main caps together.

I'm guessing the girdles offer about the same improvement that cross-bolt mains will add.

[blykins]

Girdles are about useless....

Cross bolted mains or splayed 4-bolt mains are where it's at.

[patrickt]

Jeez, he wants a "weekend driver" car, which means a nice stroked FE that puts out 1HP/Cubic Inch, maybe a little more, and that won't break on him for a few years. That's a piece of cake for any of the builders around here and, on the street, 450 horses will kill him in an instant if he drops his guard. Easy.