428 FE Build

[Coloradocobra]

My 428 is a relatively mild build with reliability in mind. It started with a rusted block that ended up with 3 sleeves and it is bored .030 over. The block was decked and line bored and fitted with ARP main bolts. The oil passages were blue printed to improve flow through out as this is a weakness of the center oilers. I am running stock rods with ARP bolts that were shot-peened and polished. The crank was turned 0.010 on the mains and rods. I went with Dove F5 heads - a high swirl design and Blue Oval Performance fit stainless valves and did the port work. I think Edelbrock is a better choice today. The compression is about 10.8:1 and to obtain that we had to use Wiseco custom pistons as the stock 428 pistons didn't give us the right compression. I am using the Dove narrow rocker arm setup on hardened shafts without end stands. People tell me that it is a matter of time before they break but because the cam is not extreme, the spring pressures are not excessive and I think it will be OK. The cam is a Crower hydraulic 224 and 228 at .050, I think, with 108 degree lobe centerlines. I gives a good rough idle to sound cool but produces mucho torque, which is what a 428 should do. It isn't a 427 and it shouldn't be cammed like one. On top I have a Blue Thunder med. riser intake with a 750 vac. secondary Holley. On the bottom I have the Canton road race pan. This spring, after 2800 miles on it, I am going to the dyno to get it optimized. So far I am happy with the performance.

What are the plans for your build?

Gary