427 FE S/O prospective buyer tips...?

[Flygirl]

Checking out an ERA Cobra with a '65 427 FE side oiler tomorrow, iron block and mid-rise heads, four speed top loader, professionally done by a well known builder. Runs on 91 octane pump gas. Very low mileage, but not driven much in that time.

In my mind I'm going through some things which I might look for from the drivetrain, not being able to do a compression check or anything like that, nor will I be able to get it up on a rack.

Here's what I'm thinking so far.

—Blue smoke on acceleration: rings
—Blue smoke on extended deceleration in gear, or between gears when shifting: valve guide seals
—Black smoke: running too rich
—White smoke from one sidepipe: water entering the intake system from a bad head gasket. Would also cause it to overheat at higher RPMs, like on the freeway)
—White smoke from both sidepipes: failed intake manifold gasket.

Reading more about these engines has me wondering, they sure sound like they're afflicted with a lot of intake gasket failures and possibly hydrolocking. Yikes!! My little 302s and 289s never gave me problems like that.

What else...

—No chattering or grabbing from the clutch, pedal pressure reasonable and engagement height well adjusted.
—No clunking or odd noises from the rear end (if I'll even be able to hear anything over the mechanical music)
—Shifts smoothly through all gears, doesn't pop out of gear, especially 2nd.

Also...

—I'll take a look for the cross bolted mains and the oil galley on the left side of the engine, and the casting number near the fuel pump on the left side of the block, down low (if I can see it).
—We'll let the engine idle for a bit with the hood closed and the car sitting still. Temp should be around 90C and oil pressure approximately 35 psi. and fans should be operating correctly.
—We'll shut it off and let it heat soak for five or ten minutes, then see if (or how badly) it vapor locks. Engine does have a 1" phenolic carb insulator, single four barrel, turkey pan. Those braided fuel lines look awfully close to the furnace, though.
—Has a fuel pressure gauge, pressure should be about 6psi.

How does that sound? I'm kind of a noob but trying to do my homework.