Ford Crate Engines... Your thoughts ?

[CobraKid427]

Just buy a Keith Craft...its a no brainer.

[davidlee]

I got a 351w crate engine. I've had no problems and no complaints, just a happy camper.
David

[NHVANA]

My crate engine looked fine in the box but when unpacked we noticed the inlet manifold was not sitting properly on the gasket. We removed the inlet and found that it wasn't port matched to the SCJ heads (out about 25%). We decided to dig a little deeper and upon removal of the heads we found all eight bores rusty. Dig even further we found the crank miss-aligned and the big end bearing toast. Add to this the wearing cam problems; all summed up to a total and complete rebuild. I was lucky that the budget extended to a rebuild and now have a great engine that is extreamly strong with forged components and roller rockers etc etc. In hind site, when you purchase these crate engines their wacked together by semi skilled labour with no passion, fine if you just idle the streets but if you want the occasional track and drag then look to something better enginered. Remember, these things will need fuel systems, alternator, decent sump (although I note the new engines now have better sumps) so it all adds up. Do the sums as to the total cost of a crate motor compared with RDI/ KC/ Roush etc, if you want a turn-key engine with the right documentation I don't think you would regret spending a little extra on one of those.

Regards
Bruce A

[427SnakeSC]

Last fall, when I ordered my 427SO from Keith Craft, I went down to Arkansas to visit him. He spent most of a day with me, giving me a tour of the plant and asking how I was going to use the motor. He is a great guy and very easy to talk to. Great people to deal with! From what I have heard from other customers, here on this forum, he stands behind his motors, 100%! Go for a tour of the plant, before you make up your mind! You won't regret it!

[Jake]

I have the SVO 460 in my Superformance and it has been great. I have had zero problems with it and have about 11,000 miles on it so far. The SVO engineers said that it should be good for 100,000 miles. I feel that for what they cost, they are a bargain. I am surprised at the 20% failure rate.

Jake

[Speedysnake]

I have the 351 ci / 385 hp Ford crate engine. While I do not have a lot of miles on it yet, I'm quite happy with the performance. I can't help but wonder if that "20% failure rate" was some isolated incident in a particular engine set up. If anyone has more info on it, I'd like to know more about it!

[saps]

On mine (430HP 351W), they never provided a reason for failure. I had to have it pulled and shipped back to them for inspection. If they determined it wasn't their problem, I was going to be responsible for shipping costs. They determined it was their problem (apparently since they repaired it and covered shipping costs).

I haven't heard of any other with "catastrophic" problems.

Honestly, while I was upset about the failure I'm not sure I could have asked for a different outcome. Would other engine builders have covered removal / re-installation if they hadn't done the original install?

[rob frink]

I'm very happy with my FMS 392 crate! It has over 10,000 miles, many auto-crosses and some track time. The rev limit is set at 6000 rpm and it gets fresh oil once a year.

For $6500....it has been an unbeatable value. Like the energizer bunny.....

Consider your budget.....how much does a custom built motor cost. When I looked 3 years ago, they seemed to be about $12,000-$15,000...which was way out of my budget.

Where are the 20% failures? So far, no one has posted with an actual failure....what broke, how did it break? How much did it cost to fix it?

For me....I would hesitate to buy another one....it has been everything I wanted and it left a cool $8000 in my pocket.


Good luck and have fun with your new car!!

[saps]

Originally Posted by rob frink

...Where are the 20% failures? So far, no one has posted with an actual failure....what broke, how did it break? How much did it cost to fix it?....

Uh....I posted an actual failure. Cracked block. 200 miles. It cost removal / reinstallation cost.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Crate engine is best unless you're doing SERIOUS racing...and with a 6000 RPM redline, you should get many years of good service. These engines were engineered by factory engineers, who know more than we give them credit for. Every engine is a compromise, no matter who builds it. For the street, lean toward conservatism and you can't go wrong. Good luck.

[nblumberg]

although new to me - my stock 392 has 6800miles and layed down ~460hp (15% loss /w 390rw) on the dyno - seems to be plenty happy /w no problems. I've heard something about some of the 392s having issues with the type of pistons used - maybe someone has more info.

[turnpike boy]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

Crate engine is best unless you're doing SERIOUS racing........

Hhmmm.....best to talk to RacerX#99, who occasionally checks in here...he had a (I think) 392 crate motor that he ran the b*lls off of, open-tracking same for about 3 years. Has said himself that was probably the best motor he's had in the car.

And you are right about the lack of credit given to the factory; without them, ALL of the custom builders would have to look elsewhere for a vocation.

[DavidNJ]

Originally Posted by turnpike boy

And you are right about the lack of credit given to the factory; without them, ALL of the custom builders would have to look elsewhere for a vocation.

Actually, you can build a motor with all aftermarket parts. I believe the increasingly common 427FEs are largely these. As are many race versions using Dart or World blocks.

That is not to say that the Ford crate motors are bad. Especially the inexpensive ones fill a void not otherwise filled. However, aftermarket engines also fill some voids.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by DavidNJ

I believe the increasingly common 427FEs are largely these.

David,

1: An FE (390,428,427) is not a common engine to just stumble across
2: If your thinking about whether to build an engine yourself or buy a Ford crate engine, stick with the Ford crate engine.


Enough said.

Bill S.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

David,

1: An FE (390,428,427) is not a common engine to just stumble across
2: If your thinking about whether to build an engine yourself or buy a Ford crate engine, stick with the Ford crate engine.


Enough said.

Bill S.

I believe he means that builders are increasingly using aftermarket blocks etc.

[turnpike boy]

Originally Posted by DavidNJ

Actually, you can build a motor with all aftermarket parts.

Yes, indeed you can; in fact, if you were so driven, you could fabricate patterns and cast parts yourself; antique restorers do it all the time. But the fact is that the overwhelming majority of the aftermarket engine builders' product is built on a factory part.

Those of us with a touch less time find that factory parts are readily available, adequate to the job in nearly every circumstance, far cheaper than trying to do it ourselves, and a practical means to an end.

Dart/World/Fontana parts all have their origins in what the manufacturers started. Without the factories they would be nice thoughts. Doubtless you remember the DFV Fords, David - just another factory engine too. Kinda put Colin Chapman on top of the world.

Point being that anything can be done; just that most of us find factory stuff to be a much better starting point. Evolution of our needs/wants will always progress.

[427SnakeSC]

Are there still pistons and rings available for the stock 427 SO bore?

[turnpike boy]

Originally Posted by 427SnakeSC

Are there still pistons and rings available for the stock 427 SO bore?

In a word, yes.

If you mean are original 60's vintage Ford parts available, well, maybe you could find some, someplace.

However, there are enormously better parts available now from just about any piston mfgr. Stock sizes or otherwise.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

I believe he means that builders are increasingly using aftermarket blocks etc.

I'll stick with #1 in that case.

Go ahead, show me a cost effective aftermarket 390/428/427FE block.

Bill S.

[Speedysnake]

Hey guys,

Have we lost track of the question?

What do we think of Ford "crate" engines?

Other than the one cracked block, the total fiasco "down under" and a reference to a Ford dealer with a "20% failure rate" most folks seem happy with their factory built engines.

Can anyone provide more data on whether there really was a run of high failure rates? If so, has it been resolved? Was it the pistons?