The 427 and 428 along with the 390 and a bunch more are whats called FE motors.
The 429 and 460 are whats called a 385 series.
CJ and SCJ was high performance parts added to pass. car motors to make HP motors for the sport models.
The 427 and 428 are FE series engines, based on the old 352 used in Edsels and trucks. The big difference is the bore and stroke, with the 427 having a short stroke and loving to rev, while the 428 is basically a torque motor, with a long stroke, originally developed to push around stationwagons and heavy cars. Both engines received alot of development work, with plenty of versions and parts available to make them VERY formidable. Unfortunately, like the windsors, they were hamstrung with the small exhaust port.
The 429 is basically a larger Cleveland Motor with the superior heads. Built right, these motors will easilly beat their more famous forebarers. Current Ford Pro-Stockers use a variant of the 429 motor today.
Both SCJ's used solid lifters, and beefier bottom end parts for anticipated racing use.
The 427 and 428 are FE series engines, based on the old 352 used in Edsels and trucks. The big difference is the bore and stroke, with the 427 having a short stroke and loving to rev, while the 428 is basically a torque motor, with a long stroke, originally developed to push around stationwagons and heavy cars. Both engines received alot of development work, with plenty of versions and parts available to make them VERY formidable. Unfortunately, like the windsors, they were hamstrung with the small exhaust port.
Uh, How you figure that? Small exhaust ports? Not hardly, Not nearly as restricted as the Cleveland and 429/460 heads either. Unlike the 335 and 385 series motors, FE's had excellant exhaust ports, but they were handicapped by crappy exhaust manifolds, just the opposite of the 335/385 series motors.
The 427 and 428 are from the FE(Ford Edsel) family. Other engines that share the same basic block design is the 352, 360, 390,406 and the 410. They all featured a webbed mains which featured the lower bottom end giving the FE's the nickname the Y block. The block weighed about 650 lbs fully assembled which is pretty hefty. Unfortunately there wasn't a 427 Cobra Jet that I know of. The 427 is cosidered the pinicle of classic Ford engines by many due to its cross bold mains which makes the already strong bottom end stronger, its displacement because there is no substitution for size, its revability reguardless of its size because big blocks don't usually rev that high and its power output. The 427 never found its way into a production Mustang but it end up into some other fords in also a Cammer trim too. The 4.6 and 5.4 blocks are designed similarly bottom end wise to the FE blocks due to its strengths. 428cj power figures are about 410hp and 444ft lbs torque.
The 429 was developed to outdo the 428 in everything. It was suppose to be lighter, stronger and more powerfull. At the time it didn't do any of the above. Ford was too optimistic because the FE blocks had racing to back them from the drag strip, Le Man, a couple of speed records in 1969-70 and not to forget Shelby, so refinement of the FE as Ford's work horse was their focus for years beforehand. The 429cj is nothing to scoff at either. Unfortunately it came out right before the gas crisis which ended the age of the big block. Many racers opt for the 429/460 based block today because parts are still being made for it from many venders. The FE parts for the most part are more expensive, not so common, and not so widely produced. In my opinion the 428 is still a better choice than the 429.
That statement is debatable, as the 427 was listed as an option in the early 68's,til the 428 CJ was realeased, although no one seems to have seen one. They were also dealer installed in some Shelby's. The 68 427 could be called a CJ, as it had the same cam and heads as the 428CJ's, also had the same intake, although it was aluminum instead of iron.