FE vs. 460

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

The 460 based engine is 50% cheaper to build than a similar-power FE. It is also almost 50% heavier. If cost is paramount, go with the 460. If keeping with the spirit of the Cobra concept means anything to you, then go with an FE. Even a 390 built up properly will give you plenty of street horsepower and torque.

[NeoConMan]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

The 460 based engine is .... also almost 50% heavier.

I've always heard the opposite.
I have no factual basis for it, I simply always believed the FE was heavier.
Maybe it was relative to horsepower, in the seventies Ford made a marked difference in their 1/2 ton trucks when the 460 went in.
1976 I think?
The older 390/400M motors in all our company trucks were turds by comparison.
I was around a few older LTD's and such that had the old 390 or 428, but they were sluggish compared to the Lincolns and Mercurys we had with the 460.
Of course, nostalgia warps reality but I always had a better opinion of the 460.
Later, I knew several guys who built 460s for drag racing.
The 390/428 along with the 351 Cleveland motors all but disappeared from the drag racing world by the early nineties, unless they were in a numbers-correct car of some sort.
If a 460 would fit, that's what went in it.


Hmmm....

Okay, so maybe all the FE guys are onto something!
Dear God, don't let me succumb to Side-Oiler 427 fever!

Thanks!
This is why I'm here.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by NeoConMan

I have no factual basis for it, I simply always believed the FE was heavier.

Bone stock, they are within 10 lbs. or so of one another, with the 460 being lighter. BUT, anyone that builds an FE now-a-days for a Cobra shaves a lot of weight off with just an aluminum intake, heads, water pump, etc. My FE is within 50 lbs. of an original 289 and it still has an iron block. Carefully constructed aftermarket aluminum block FE engines will get you down in to small block numbers.

EDIT -- Here's a chart of various engine weights: http://www.team.net/sol/tech/engine.html

[FUNFER2]

If you want a based 460 +, check out Keith Craft's 514. 700 HP for under $13,000. Wow.

Check out his site, as he has many configurations to suit your needs, wither it's a small or big blk.

Ford Racing has a 514 cu. 630 HP for under 70k.


Kevin

[diegokid]

I too almost went with a Bowtie and until there are several thousand miles on the FE I went with I'm keeping my fingers crossed since I have NEVER had a Ford product that held up as good as my Chevy stuff. As far as weight goes here are some numbers I pulled from a Ford forum. The Fe is consederably lighter when you goe with the Alum intake and heads. I couldn't believe the weight of just the cast iron intake when I started buying junkyard motors for this project.

PS: You know that Chevy is making a 427 again don't you? If you used it all the 427 badges would be correct!

ENGINE FAMILY WEIGHT (LBS) WIDTH LENGTH HEIGHT
289/302 Windsor 460 24 29 27.5
302 Boss "Clevor" 500 24.5 29 28.5
351W Windsor 525 25 29 29
351C 335 (Cleveland) 550 25.5 29 29
351M/400 335 (Modified) 575 26 29 29
332-428 (ex.SOHC) FE 625 27 32 29
427 SOHC FE 680 32 34 30
429/460 720 27 34 29
429 Boss 385 635 30 34 30

[NeoConMan]

Okay, I'm sold.
FE it is.

Now I have to decide on how many inches I can get out of it before the cost gets insane.

Hell, a stout 428 would be just fine with me.

[ENTDOC]

if you go with a 428 (excellent choice) you will save 1/3 to 1/2 over the cost of a 427 SO, and you will really give up nothing but some bragging rights

[Kzof]

Only my HO but I would never do a Cobra with a 460. Not orig. in any way, shape or form. would build with a 390 before I would use a 460.

[decooney]

If it were me, I'd pick the chassis/body manufacturer first, then select your powerplant and size next. For example, you could go with a 427 body and decide FE, or an FIA style, and go small block, or go with something different such as a Stallion/West Coast Cobra and go 460, etc. Or, even something different such as configuration such as one of the new Cobras coming out that Shelby is building with an aluminum style FIA body and an aluminum Shelby small block in it, stroked, with plenty of HP and less weight. Some of the more expensive cars/kits typically call for a specific powerplant and configuration if you follow the mainstream crowd of thinking for specific makes/models/configurations. For example, you would probably only put a small block in an ERA or Unique FIA body and a big block FE in a 427 body car. Or, you could do something like an EM car with a new Ford powerplant in it and that might work for you. It sort of depends on what you start with chassis wise, and based on what you plan to do with the car, and most importanly, determining your budget and time schedule for completion of the car - then go from there. Good luck.

[trularin]

Good, I have two engines for sale.

Help me get them out of the barn.

I also have brand new ARP studs and fasteners for an FE.

Check the 'For Sale' stuff.

PM me and let's make a deal for these engines and bolts/fasteners.

[convincor]

the FE is 95 lbs light than the 460 in stock form.
FE can be expensive to build if you have to have that 482 cube all aluminum.
But you'll never need that much in a 2400 car. A well build 390, edeblock heads, aluminum intake, water pump like said above will still make plenty of power & torque and you'll have a great drivable, reliable engine that looks at home in the Cobra.
Here's a turn key from Keith. A little over $10k, but look what your getting.
http://www.keithcraft.com/engines/39...te_Engine.html
Some other options-
http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com/406engine.html
Add aluminum heads and $7900 aint a bad price.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by convincor

A well build 390, edeblock heads, aluminum intake, water pump like said above will still make plenty of power & torque and you'll have a great drivable, reliable engine that looks at home in the Cobra.

427s and 428s know if you have a 390 under the hood, and they snicker and chortle at them.

[NeoConMan]

Originally Posted by patrickt

My FE is within 50 lbs. of an original 289 and it still has an iron block. Carefully constructed aftermarket aluminum block FE engines will get you down in to small block numbers.

Dayum!!!
There's alot of iron in those pieces fer sure.
What about cost?

I know, I know....
IF I was worried about money I wouldn't be hot-rodding, motorcycling, flying or collecting guns, guitars etc...

Aluminum intake is a given, water pump is cool, but aluminum heads still scare me.
I know, there are millions of them out there now doing fantastic service.
Old habits die hard.

Within 50 pounds you say?
An old friend of mine in Texas is a Ford V8 guru, maybe I'll be picking his brain a little more...

Keep the info coming, you guys ROCK!