Need help to identify block....

[mschjone]

Here is the story....with pictures....

Guy has a "427 Side Oiler Block", Med Riser Heads, Cast Crank and Blue Thunder Intake he will sell me. Says the block number is C5AE-H. I eventually talk to him again and he says he now finds out this block is a Center Oiler (because his machinist told him so) and the the number is C6AE-B and "the cylinders were just bored .03 over for a finished size of 4.260" He said the C6AE-B number will reference to a Side-Oiler.

There is nothing worse than a confused idiot, which that is what I am right now. What is this thing and why? Thanks in advance for your time.

I don't post very often but I do very much enjoy Club Cobra.

I have more than 5 pictures. I'll post them too.

[mschjone]

more pictures......

[blykins]

Looks like a center to me....

Got a picture of the front of the block or the driver's side?

[blykins]

BTW, quickest way to check if a block is truly a sideoiler....

Look for the pipe plug at the end of the arrow.



Other signs: The pipe plugs on the side of the block for the oil galleys....

Look at the pipe plugs right above the cross bolts on the driver's side.

[Woodz428]

The block has the castings in the back for side oiler galleys, but there doesn't appear or be visible the side casting. I had a 428 CJ block cast like that( from a '69 Canadian Eliminator), but have not seen a 427 block that way. It's listed as a 427 in one of the casting # books I have,actually twice, once as a side oiler the other has no indication as to whether it is side oiler or center, all the other #'s do. It may be a replacement 427 block for a center oiler and uses some of the side-oiler molds. Since the side oiler was standard issue by that year, it should be a side oiler or a replacement block if it is a 427 originally. I also have a 390 ('64) block with crossbolt castings nobs, but no crossbolts. Ford mix and matched patterns for FEs and this is likely one.
I checked the book before closing the post and see that the # is also a 428 PI solid lifter block. I think I'd have it sonic checked.
Is it a solid lifter or drilled for hydraulics?

[elmariachi]

The "side oiler" casting would be on the driver's side, which does not appear to be shown in those pics. In the first pic however there is a figure "8" shaped boss....which is where the screw-in plugs for the rear galley drain and pressure relief spring would be if it were a side oiler. But its not.

And at .030 over I agree with the sonic check recommendation.

[Barry_R]

Looks like a centeroiler 427 and a pair of medium riser heads with really funky old retainers..

[Woodz428]

Originally Posted by Barry_R

heads with really funky old retainers..

Didn't even look at the heads pic, but those are some gnarly looking retainers, looks like they've been around for a while.

[mschjone]

Guys, Thank you very much for the information. This helps greatly in my decision to pull the trigger on this or not.

[482supersnake]

My guess is that it is a marine 427 that was cast as a side oiler but not machined as one. Not that is a bad block but you have to find out if it was freshwater/rawwater cooled or if it had a closed loop system. If it was raw water cooled I would stay away from it as it might have rusted out the cooling passages. Scott

[Woodz428]

Originally Posted by 482supersnake

My guess is that it is a marine 427 that was cast as a side oiler but not machined as one. Not that is a bad block but you have to find out if it was freshwater/rawwater cooled or if it had a closed loop system. If it was raw water cooled I would stay away from it as it might have rusted out the cooling passages. Scott

Marine and stationary engines usually have a J code, the A indicates it was destined for, or a replacement for, a car.
If there is an assembly date stamped into, that would tell whether or not it was a replacement or a production line engine. If you post pics, shoot one of the lifter valley, that way you can tell if it is a hydraulic block or not.