Originally, I was going to go with a SBF for my car, but then I started getting the FE itch and was all but ready to pull the trigger for it (not the build trigger, the decision trigger), for my car,...until I found out you can no longer get new FE cast iron blocks.
Now I am stuck with either SBF or Coyote. I have built my fair share of SBF motors. Good engines. Never had an issue with any of them, but now I am a bit disappointed with the thought of going that route, versus an FE.
The Coyote would fit my needs, but I cannot bring myself to raise the hood/bonnet and not want to cringe as I see what is under it. It just does not feel right, no matter how logically correct it may be, it simply looks and feels wrong. I do not think I can shake how I feel about it. This may be a kit, but it still is a car which harkens back to a time where engines were loud and nasty. It is a Cobra. It was never a nice car. It has always been loud, mean, and nasty. I have a nice car in our Lexus. I want a Cobra.
Which brings me back to the SBF. Sigh. I really should not be disappointed. The SBF is a good motor and makes respectable power. Solid aftermarket support now, and all that rot. Still....to have a brand spanking new cast iron FE....damn.
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Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skuzzy
Originally, I was going to go with a SBF for my car, but then I started getting the FE itch and was all but ready to pull the trigger for it (not the build trigger, the decision trigger), for my car,...until I found out you can no longer get new FE cast iron blocks.
Now I am stuck with either SBF or Coyote....
You are not stuck. The solution is a quality, tested, 428 block with the extra webbing for the crank. They are getting harder to find, but they're still there, and it will suit your needs -- guaranteed. Just tell blykins or keith or barry that's what you want, and they'll find it for you. Maybe not day after tomorrow, but they'll find it.
You are not stuck. The solution is a quality, tested, 428 block with the extra webbing for the crank. They are getting harder to find, but they're still there, and it will suit your needs -- guaranteed. Just tell blykins or keith or barry that's what you want, and they'll find it for you. Maybe not day after tomorrow, but they'll find it.
I really had the itch for the 427 (I like that bore and stroke combination). I know I can find used 428 blocks. Just had my heart set on a 427. I prefer not to deal with used blocks for this build.
Seasoned is good, but "used" is not in the stars for this build.
I'll freely admin the reasons driving this are purely emotional. Nothing logical about it. I will definitely have a blykins/keith/barry type involved in this one.
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Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
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Well, alright. But the bore on my build is only .07" less than that of an original sideoiler (and we could have gone further, but I wanted one "freshen up" left in). I went with the longer stroke of 4.125, but not the longest stroke of 4.25 , just for the "quick revving" aspect that made the original sideoilers so much fun. I have driven cars with original sideoilers in them and, between my build and an original SO, you would not be able to tell the difference. And, unless you have mirrors on the tips of your shoes, you can not tell if a SO is in a Cobra or not. But, the choice is yours. Personally, I would much rather have a seasoned iron block, that has been thoroughly measured and tested, than I would a new iron block. No two ways about it.
Personally, I would much rather have a seasoned iron block, that has been thoroughly measured and tested, than I would a new iron block. No two ways about it.
And I would be the polar opposite, assuming you can find a new or used Genesis iron block. I believe most of Barry R's Engine Masters FE builds have used the Genesis iron block. Though it sounds like they're unavailable at this time.
When I first started looking for a nice used FE block, all I saw was junk, near junk and repaired junk. Blech.
As for the Coyote engine in your Cobra (or a 428 for that matter), if you're trying to replicate this experience:
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RodKnock
When I first started looking for a nice used FE block, all I saw was junk, near junk and repaired junk. Blech.
Hmmm, I do not know how difficult it is to now get one's hands on a really nice, unmolested 428 block with the crank saddle webbing, suitable for boring out a bit. Eight years ago, it took my builder about six to eight weeks, IIRC, to find something that made us happy. Brent would know better than I on how hard it is now. Maybe you really can't do it anymore except at a cost prohibitive price. And maybe it's just not worth the builder's time to screw with the search anymore -- that's a real possibility.
Cobra Make, Engine: Don't think I'll be getting a Cobra for a long time... Do have '94 RX-7 R2.
Posts: 2,334
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Doesn't Pond sell a cast iron block as well as an aluminum block?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skuzzy
Originally, I was going to go with a SBF for my car, but then I started getting the FE itch and was all but ready to pull the trigger for it (not the build trigger, the decision trigger), for my car,...until I found out you can no longer get new FE cast iron blocks.
Now I am stuck with either SBF or Coyote. I have built my fair share of SBF motors. Good engines. Never had an issue with any of them, but now I am a bit disappointed with the thought of going that route, versus an FE.
The Coyote would fit my needs, but I cannot bring myself to raise the hood/bonnet and not want to cringe as I see what is under it. It just does not feel right, no matter how logically correct it may be, it simply looks and feels wrong. I do not think I can shake how I feel about it. This may be a kit, but it still is a car which harkens back to a time where engines were loud and nasty. It is a Cobra. It was never a nice car. It has always been loud, mean, and nasty. I have a nice car in our Lexus. I want a Cobra.
Which brings me back to the SBF. Sigh. I really should not be disappointed. The SBF is a good motor and makes respectable power. Solid aftermarket support now, and all that rot. Still....to have a brand spanking new cast iron FE....damn.
Skuzzy, my FE actually started as a 1970 390 block. Obviously it was checked and prepped before Southern built it. That was several years ago and I have no idea what stock they may currently have, but they had a number back then. Maybe some of the forum builders can comment on the used block market. I understand there is a shortage of "new" blocks, but is there really an issue re-working an original FE block?
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Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JST4FUN
I understand there is a shortage of "new" blocks, but is there really an issue re-working an original FE block?
There is not. 390s just don't have, generally speaking, as much room to play with as 428s do. That said, some of the older engine builders will still tell you that a "seasoned block" is superior to a new block. And, of course, there is that once-in-a-blue-moon occasion when an old block will get through the dmv or emissions folks when a new block would not....
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