I bought an unfired FE 427 as part of a package deal that had been stored on a pallet for 15 years in an HVAC environment. The engine was built by a race engine machine shop in San Clemente, CA. Even though the engine had been wrapped very well I was concerned about possible rust and I also wanted to know exactly what I had bought, component wise.
OEM service block with side-oiler passages "undrilled"
Dove "Ron Paquet" Hi-flow aluminum heads w. 2.25/1.76 SS valves
Dove roller rockers
Dove 2x4 "low profile" hi-riser intake
Keith Black pistons .030 over
OEM ford rods (LeMans) 3.78 stroke
Comp Cam # 295 D R 8 (GA4 804)
Comp Cam solid roller lifters
Melling 57HV
oil pump
Windage tray
Moroso 10 qt. pan
I have several questions:
1. I was surprised to find a solid roller cam and lifter set with the side oiler passages closed. Is this a potential problem?
2. What are your opinions of the Keith Black pistons? Remember, these are 15 years old. Were they reliable back in the mid nineties? How do they compare with the Diamond and Mahle pieces of today? What are the recommended pistons today?
3. The ring end gaps were pretty wide. What is the spec. on ring end gap?
4. Would I be better off scrapping/selling the above rotating assembly and going with a SCAT forged crank and rods, and new pistons, maybe with a small stroke increase?
5. How much difference should I expect in rpm response between the stock rotating assembly and a small stroker, maybe a 4.15?
Unfired FE Stored for 15 years
Threaded Mode
