Aluminum Cobra block w/ 2V heads...?

[Back2Mustangs]

I'm going to get kicked in the jewels more than a few times for this post, but I have to ask. I was thinking about the benefits of weight savings and possible better cooling characteristics of an aluminum block over the iron block...Whats stopping me from building a bottom end for NA application with an aluminum Cobra block, and bolting new 2 valve heads to it?? I know everyone might ask, why not just go 4V if you're buying new heads anyways? I don't want to mess with it really. Its more expensive, more stuff to buy, and more work than I want to put into this car. I'd rather stay 2 valve, NA with as much as I can get out of it with heads & cams while focusing more on weight savings and freeing up accessory drag... If I convert to manual brakes, drop the hyrdo-boost for manual rack & pinion, go tubular k-member and suspension and electric water pump-> the next big weight saver would be the aluminum block. So if you can swap all the 4V heads and parts to a GT block, obviously it seems you'd be able to bolt 2V heads to a Cobra block... ???

BTW I exhausted the search feature and I must be the first moron to pose this question.

 

[mogs01gt]

There is a hole that must be drilled on the drive side of the block for coolant passages. It is right above the water pump.

 

[TheSalad]

You could get an aluminum PI block! I have seen it around here somewhere..

 

[kmterrill]

Compromise... use 3V heads...

 

[tomustang]

You could get an aluminum PI block! I have seen it around here somewhere..

yes, in explorers

What mogs said, you have to tap a hole in the block for coolant

 

[Mustang5L5]

Explorers have the aluminum 2V block.

 

[mity2]

Kar kraft used to sell them. But i don't think they have them anymore

 

[Back2Mustangs]

Oh I see. So anyone have any idea how much lighter a bare Explorer block is than the iron GT block? I've heard numbers around 100lbs between the iron and aluminum Cobra blocks...?

 

[mogs01gt]

Oh I see. So anyone have any idea how much lighter a bare Explorer block is than the iron GT block? I've heard numbers around 100lbs between the iron and aluminum Cobra blocks...?

From what i could tell just by picking up my stock block compared to my build aluminum shortblock, the stock block by itself felt as heavy or heavier. I say the aluminum blocks are anywhere from 85-100 pounds lighter.

 

[flexiclese]

do you know what years of explorer V8's are compatible with mustang 2V PI heads? And I thought that the Modular explorer blocks already had the cooling passage provision in them from the factory being that they used 2V PI heads.

 

[DropTopPony]

hmmm aluminum block build, sounds interesting.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Get yourself a Teksid block out of an old Mark VIII and start from there. The best of the blocks and much cheaper and easier to find than an Explorer casting.

 

[mogs01gt]

Get yourself a Teksid block out of an old Mark VIII and start from there. The best of the blocks and much cheaper and easier to find than an Explorer casting.

yep, got mine for 400 bones.

 

[mity2]

Get yourself a Teksid block out of an old Mark VIII and start from there. The best of the blocks and much cheaper and easier to find than an Explorer casting.

thats DOHC isn't it?

 

[Silvr04GT]

This is kind of a cool sounding idea, are the aluminum block as strong as the cast ones? Would it stand up to a 9 - 14 psi KB?

 

[mogs01gt]

This is kind of a cool sounding idea, are the aluminum block as strong as the cast ones? Would it stand up to a 9 - 14 psi KB?

LMAO they can handle 1000+

 

[Silvr04GT]

LMAO they can handle 1000+

Well didn't the switch back to a cast block in the 03/04 Cobra?

 

[tomustang]

thats DOHC isn't it?

yup

you get my message on yim?

 

[mogs01gt]

Well didn't the switch back to a cast block in the 03/04 Cobra?

yes and it had nothing to do with power.

 

[Silvr04GT]

yes and it had nothing to do with power.

So why did they switch it?