Ok,this isnt "5.0" tech..but it Ford big block

[bluevenom867]

I want to know the pro's and con's of the differance between runing a 429/460 (385 seires) vs. a 427/428 (FE).As I am looking to get MY first actual driving car (a 65' Comet ),right now it has a 302 w/C4 and a 2 barrel carb.I could swap the 351W from the previous motor in,but for later I want big block power...I maybe will eventauly set up a injected alcohal set up (probably a Flying toilet set-up)...

It just a though now...but I would like to get some idea's on the though...

 

[Sicarius428]

More cubes gives you more potential power. 385 series has more available parts for cheaper/availability(huge plus) so you can get your goal HP cheaper. With that said I like the FE series personally. It is smaller, lighter, stronger than the 385 which the 385 was designed to do the opposite. Either way it all comes down to how much money you have to spend. Similarly warmed over the 427/428 FE will have the edge over a 429... 460 may be a different story. Have you considered a stroker 351? You can get some really good power without sacrificing the weight. For example my original cast iron 428 intake weighs about 70 lbs. You can practically land jets on it...
Kevin

 

[Thenemesis]

more cubes dont mean more power.. maybe more torque but you have to factor in the weight. a small block 289 can walk all over a cobra jet if built right.. seen it done many times before. best bet is a 428, 460s are way to heavy for its own good

 

[gork1rogues]

You're going to have to convert to a Mustang II or some other coil-over front suspension. The 351 barely fits in the Falcons/Comets and even 302s have header clearance issues. fitting a big block with the original shock towers in place is not possible.

 

[bluevenom867]

You're going to have to convert to a Mustang II or some other coil-over front suspension. The 351 barely fits in the Falcons/Comets and even 302s have header clearance issues. fitting a big block with the original shock towers in place is not possible.

Yes I know,I was planing on making a tube suspension up front and probably ladder bars in the rear.

No, I'am not considering a stroker small block...the mustang already has a nasty 408 stroker and I want to do this cheaply and still be fast (and kind of a unique combo if I can..)

 

[tjm73]

For the record FE's are heavier than 429/460's. 429/460's are thin wall casting technology. FE's are not.

Those Comet's are cool. I like them myself. If you gotta go big block, I'd go 429/460. Parts are cheaper than FE parts and they are easier to find. Crites Restorations will be your friend with either motor. They have swap parts for both engines (385 big block & FE) in that chassis.

On the other hand the FE has a sound all it's own and can make pretty darn good power, but I'd still go 429/460...stroker - 4.3" max stroke (530" area).

 

[bluevenom867]

Crites Restorations?
Can you give me some more info?

Also,one thing no one has comented on...the alcohal injection.This is what I was thinking of runing if I were to start racing/bracket racing it..

 

[tjm73]

I want to do this cheaply and still be fast (and kind of a unique combo if I can..)

Anything Big Block and the word 'cheaply' should not be mentioned together in the same sentance.

Especially if you are talking FE's. Not cheap. Nor are the 385 big blocks cheap.

Good factory FE heads are worth a fortune to the restorers so you can go to Edelbrock for updated aluminum heads (very good stuff). Not bad price for 390 stuff. Less than $700 per head, complete. Comp Cams OE style (and only kind available) shaft mount rocker system is almost $700 alone though. So almost $2100 for heads/rockers.

385 heads are like $800 or $900 for each head and like about $350 for rockers. Just as much money. And OE hi-po 385 big block stuff is scare and worth big money too.

Either way to get truely decent power from the engine will require aftermarket stuff.

 

[tjm73]

Crites Restorations?
Can you give me some more info?

Also,one thing no one has comented on...the alcohal injection.This is what I was thinking of runing if I were to start racing/bracket racing it..

Crites Restorations - Comet stuff

Upon further thought I say do the FE. 390 and 428 blocks are pretty common and you can get stroker kits from Flatlander Racing for them if you want big FE inches. Either engine will be all aftermarket for the top end of the engine.

As for the injection.... I wouldn't. Keep it a gas engine and keep it street/strip so you can cruise in it and enjoy it in lots more places than just at the track.

 

[bluevenom867]

Anything Big Block and the word 'cheaply' should not be mentioned together in the same sentance.

Especially if you are talking FE's. Not cheap. Nor are the 385 big blocks cheap.

Good factory FE heads are worth a fortune to the restorers so you can go to Edelbrock for updated aluminum heads (very good stuff). Not bad price for 390 stuff. Less than $700 per head, complete. Comp Cams OE style (and only kind available) shaft mount rocker system is almost $700 alone though. So almost $2100 for heads/rockers.

385 heads are like $800 or $900 for each head and like about $350 for rockers. Just as much money. And OE hi-po 385 big block stuff is scare and worth big money too.

Either way to get truely decent power from the engine will require aftermarket stuff.

Why do you say this?

If can get the stuff at reasonable price and use mostly factory stuff then thats what Ill do.If I went FE the Edelbrock aluminum heads would be highly considered (unless I can find a set of Tunnel Ports ).

Now,about a teanmission...C4 or C6?Or posabily a 4 speed?

 

[bluevenom867]

Alright,then Ill ask how bout carberation vs. fuel injection (my uncle makes custom fuel injection systems...)?

 

[tjm73]

I'd find a good 390 block, add the Flatlander 430" stroker with Edelbrock heads and a nice dual quad setup and call it a day. Full manual shift, reverse pattern C4 (way better than a C6 with the stuff they have now) and a 9".


And custom EFI on an old school weber style intake would be kick as-s!!!

 

[bluevenom867]

Oh the 428 I would consider,but I will look for a 427 side oiler.I know a few machine shop that might be able to get me a block.

 

[bluevenom867]

Whats the boring capabilities of a 390 block, .0125 over?

 

[bluevenom867]

Hmm..that 448 looks pretty good...

Ill look for a 428 block.

 

[tjm73]

Oh the 428 I would consider,but I will look for a 427 side oiler.I know a few machine shop that might be able to get me a block.

In one post you say cheap and fast and in another you talk about a 427 block, ie... not cheap.

You can go over 500" in a 427 block.

 

[bluevenom867]

In one post you say cheap and fast and in another you talk about a 427 block, ie... not cheap.

You can go over 500" in a 427 block.

I get to many idea's...its a curse,sorry.

Lol,anyhow yea I check out both sites.

It seem that the 430 or 448 is the way to go.

Whats the differance in wieght between a 390 and a 428 block?

 

[illwood]

Speaking as someone who owns and has rebuilt a 390 FE, it's a great block for strength (meaning heavy). I had heard rumored that some of the earlier 390 blocks had thick enough cylinder walls to do a 0.130" overbore to make a 428.

Building up these engines is not cheap and parts aren't always the easiest to find.

Personally I think a stroked 351W would be a good choice. You can easily get 393 ci out of it and run it carb, or efi without too much trouble and there are some great aftermarket manufacturers of heads that will really give your motor a kick.

Don't forget about the 1971 Mustang Mach 1. The Boss 351C powered cars were faster than the 429CJ Machs because the 429 didn't produce enough extra power over the 351 to overcome the weight difference. Of course, you can build up a big block to shame a small block, but they're still expensive and heavy.

 

[bluevenom867]

Speaking as someone who owns and has rebuilt a 390 FE, it's a great block for strength (meaning heavy). I had heard rumored that some of the earlier 390 blocks had thick enough cylinder walls to do a 0.130" overbore to make a 428.

Building up these engines is not cheap and parts aren't always the easiest to find.

Personally I think a stroked 351W would be a good choice. You can easily get 393 ci out of it and run it carb, or efi without too much trouble and there are some great aftermarket manufacturers of heads that will really give your motor a kick.

Don't forget about the 1971 Mustang Mach 1. The Boss 351C powered cars were faster than the 429CJ Machs because the 429 didn't produce enough extra power over the 351 to overcome the weight difference. Of course, you can build up a big block to shame a small block, but they're still expensive and heavy.

So you saying that a Cleveland is a better choise?

 

[bluevenom867]

Ok this is getting confusing...

Ill look for a 390 or 428 block and if not,my 351W will be going in there

Ok,no more crazy idea's now