Quote:
Originally Posted by juneracer
Just trying to find some info on what I think is real basic stuff, at least for some. I have a 427SC ERA that I bought after my girl friend’s father passed away, from her Mother, I’m the third owner. From the limited literature with the car, it was completed in 1988 and currently has 11,500 miles. I don't know much about the car or engine history. The engine is a 428 FE, I’m told out of a 66 T-bird, aluminum intake, hydraulic lifters and 4 barrel Holly. The top end looks stock (looked when I changed the battery) and the limited literature says it was bored .030 over but not much or any upgrades, the receipts suggest a pretty standard rebuild. It has an Accel dual point distributer, 37000 Series and matching coil.
I plan on driving it fairly regularly on street, semi spirited but likely no track use. I’d like opinions on suggested changes/upgrades; presumably things have changed in 25 years?
-distributor and ignition; keep dual points, breakerless? Gap/dwell/ignition timing?
-plug wires; no radio-solid metal core?
-spark plugs; best choice?
-valve train rocker upgrades required?
-RPM shift point? 5000, 5500, 6000? What’s safe?
-preferred engine oil?
-premium fuel? Additive for the ethanol?
All or anything will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick |
Attempting in order:
The ERA chassis number is engraved on the driver side front X-member and / or cast into the fiberglass on driver side in the hood opening flange toward the front. You'll want that to order parts from Bob at ERA and get history info from them about it. I'd guess it's in the low 200's. That way
you can find out if ERA assembled it or the first owner.
Also guessing that it has a Joe Lapine rebuild 428-pretty 'standard', especially if ERA assembled it. It will probably have factory non-adjust rockers-your choice to change. And a 4160 780 Holley. Identify it so you can buy the right 'Quick Kit'.
Dump the ignition. Get:Mallory Unilite, MSD+ Blaster2 coil, Moroso SPIRAL CORE wires, NGK fine wire plugs (call their techline for heat range- I use FR-4's but I have a lot more motor than that), gapped .045".
Make sure the balancer ring has not spun and set advance to 36 with 18 initial all in by 2600 or so.
I have run those components for 3 decades in mine with zero problems.
Stay below 5500 especially with factory rockers. There's not enough cam and heads to make power above that anyway-it's a rebuild.
I've used Rotella 10-40 in the northeast and 91 to 93 pump gas.
If you find the motor's more aggressive than that, post it here.