Should I go Big Block?

[trularin]

I have a 406 in the barn. I am thinking of building it up and swapping it out for the 358 I currently have in the car ( punched Boss 351 ).

I have a TKO600 for a trans, so I am wondering if this would be a good move or should I put the 406 into something else.

What are your thoughts?

[Ron61]

Tru,

That is hard to answer as only you know what you are going to be doing with the car. As Ford only made the 406 in 1962 and 1963, they are hard to find out here, but many of the other parts from other FE engines can be used. The only 406 that I am aware of around here belongs to a friend of mine and it is a 390 built to 406. The 406 tri power motor was a good performing engine but very rare to find around here any more and expensive if you do find one.

Ron

[trularin]

You are right Ron, but I like the stroke to bore ratio. I have always liked the high RPM engines. This one might be able to turn 7k when I get done.

[flwolfman]

I personally like the sound and grunt of the big blocks and since you have it already, I say go for it! Jim

[Johan Ras]

I love my BB.
Johan

[Jimi G]

If you will be able to get that kind of rpms I would do it, the only thing you will need is another bellhousing and everything else will interchange. That is going to be one mean sounding Cobra when you do the swap. jimig@standardtransmission.com

[Ron61]

Tru,

I like the BB in my 69 Cobra and it makes it's power at 6300 RPM. And as said before, nothing can take the place of that BB rumble. Except the high pitched scream of a SB as it flies by you. The 406s were good engines and I knew several who had them 63 Galaxies and other cars and they really ran great.


Ron

[wtm442]

Tru
One Wolfie power is enough to drag your Cobra in and out of the garage. So all you need is an engine to power the Cobra up and down the driveway. I would suggest a slant 6 Plymouth for that task. Then you would have one rare car.

Leave the Cobra alone. Use the 406 in another project. Go out for a drive.

[pthomas]

Yes, Yes, Yes, I've got a 406 from southern Automotive, the rumble is ace, go for it.

Peter.

[xracerbob]

I'd do it-better sound, lots of torque, looks better IMHO, and you've already got the motor.

[Roger Vincent]

No, don't do it. Extra weight (good for a boat anchor I guess), less room to work on things - and you will need it with the BB, and most guys who are satisfied genetically don't have to prove anything with the small block. (Now let the flames begin, I'm going for some popcorn...back later!) Naw, seriously, I would go with the big block, at the least it looks better in the engine compartment, and probably has a lot more performance mod capability. But as others have said, depends on how you want to use the car.

[trularin]

Thanks.

I think I might start this with the intent to put the engine in the cobra. I have gone plenty fast with the 358, but it appears more and more to be a light to light situation.

[Ron61]

Tru,

If you race light to light then put the BB in a real sleeper. A stripped down Plymouth Belvedere comes to mind. All white, no chrome, now options, and a cross ram 426 Hemi. Great for about a mile and after that you were ready to park and walk. But it sure got a lot of people who thought it was the original slant 6.


Ron

[wtm442]

I a light to light situation, traction is King. Getting off the line quickly without spinning the tires is more important than the difference in HP between the two engines.

Practice, practice, practice ....

[FFR428]

Is this an original 406 from 62.5-63.5? If so it needs to get outta the barn and into the car. I've had quite a few of those. I can tell you something else....some 406 blocks were cast with 427 cyl wall cores. Not all but some and can be a pleasant surprise if so. Crossbolt bosses might be there as well. Some had them and some didn't. What head and block casting numbers are on it? 4v or 6v induction?

G.