Mike: I beg to differ. There are extremely valid reasons for using original iron. The first being its is original equipment. Its the REAL deal. While some may want the aluminum engine for its weight advantage and/or heat dissapating ability which are pluses to be sure there is in my mind a clear advantage of having an original 427SO provided its not a service block and is in good condition.
While many here, including myself don't have orignial Cobras many here strive to build their cars to as close to original spec as possible down to the smallest detail, even power characteristics. The original's didn't have aluminum blocks, Eldebrock heads etc. Period.
While the Shelby Aluminum block is a replacement FE block it is not an FE. It wasn't made in Dearborne and is not a true 427 Side Oiler. Thats what the originals had and thats the gold standard as far as I'm concerned.
While my CSX may not be original and it may not qualify for Pebble Beach Concours today who knows about 30 years from now?
I wanted my Cobra, although not an original Shelby to be exactly like its forefathers and powered by the same powerplant ie an iron 427SO. I wanted a my Cobra to be "exactly as it was" or as close to it as I could get. When most people look at these cars they look for originality, at least I do.
All that being said I would definitely consider putting an aluminum 427 in my car if anything ever happened to my engine.
As to the aluminum motor being "better". Maybe. Maybe not. Whats most important is the quality of the build and the parts used. I can easily give you scenarios of an iron 427 SO being a better motor than an aluminum block. Alot of it is builder and parts used.
I do know that if my engine was strong enough for racing in the 60's its strong enough for cruisin now and going for ice cream for many many years. A well build 427SO with a good block offers more performance and durability than 99% of us here need or can use. That includes the "racers".
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