Thoughts on this Side Oiler for sale ?

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Why not just commission an engine build to Blykins (or Craft Engines, or Barry, etc) and tell him what you are after and let them source it and build it for you.

Money. A pro build is around 12k-15k. If I can get the parts and Chad & I assemble, it would save a lot of moola

Just a example for a 445ci 390 bottom end.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251383264383...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Money. A pro build is around 12k-15k. If I can get the parts and Chad & I assemble, it would save a lot of moola

Just a example for a 445ci 390 bottom end.

Ford FE 390 Based Stroker Short Block 444CID Steel Internals Giant Blower 428 | eBay

Google "390FE Crate Engine" and you'll get a rough feel for some of the costs that are out there. For example, this place, of which I know absolutely nothing, Ford Performance Crate Engines quotes some pretty interesting prices (note they use your core or tack on another grand or so). Personally, I think you present a "high risk" for completing your build if you tackle it yourself. Just sayin'....

[blykins]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Money. A pro build is around 12k-15k. If I can get the parts and Chad & I assemble, it would save a lot of moola

Just a example for a 445ci 390 bottom end.

Ford FE 390 Based Stroker Short Block 444CID Steel Internals Giant Blower 428 | eBay

I wouldn't put much stock there.....that's a picture of a sbf.

[FUNFER2]

It does read 390 though ?

"This is one of our new Giant series engine short blocks
Ford FE 390 block 444 cid stroker short block".

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

It does read 390 though ?

"This is one of our new Giant series engine short blocks
Ford FE 390 block 444 cid stroker short block".

Sometimes internet engine builders and parts people aren't always 100% truthful.

[FUNFER2]

" Personally, I think you present a "high risk" for completing your build if you tackle it yourself"

Now why, would you say that ?

Chad and I have built many sprint car engines, for our sprint and other for other teams, for over 10 years with NO, breakage. Plus, we built my 428FE and it ran awesome !

[Bernica]

Get the damn block and figure it out from there!!!
If you don't, I will.

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Get the damn block and figure it out from there!!!
If you don't, I will.

I've left a phone message and pm on the ebay ad. I hope to be contacted soon.

Why do you guys suppose no one has bought it yet ?

[FUNFER2]

Have to also keep this in mind.

The ebay NOS Side Oiler- $4,800 (asking price)

BBM-

Iron block- $3,600
Aluminum block- $4,800

[66gtk]

I've owned a few Cobras with a 390 FE, 427 FE, 428 FE and a SBF. I can assure you it is much for gratifying to answer the inevitable question (it is always asked), "what's under the hood" with a firm and confident "Ford 427 Sideoiler". Anything else (including a 390 FE) will force you to further explain and make excuses. It doesn't matter how much power it makes, it's more satisfying to truthfully provide the answer they are hoping for.

[FUNFER2]

Exactly !

I know I'd always ask it myself as well, whither in a dream to driving it down the road. So, I have to have the 428 or 427. At least the 428's were in the road cars.

Anyway,...

But, I finally got a response from the ebay seller.

"Looks to be sold, deal in the works.
I'll let u know if it falls through.
Thanks Andy"


Guess it was not to be. I'll just say it was a piece of crap. (make me feel better)

I'll look further into the 427 here on CC.
Short block $3,500 OBO. I believe it's on page #1.

Or maybe the BBM block. The block & head package is $4,950.


At least it's brand new and new technology, etc...

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Exactly !

I know I'd always ask it myself as well, whither in a dream to driving it down the road. So, I have to have the 428 or 427. At least the 428's were in the road cars.

Anyway,...

But, I finally got a response from the ebay seller.

"Looks to be sold, deal in the works.
I'll let u know if it falls through.
Thanks Andy"


Guess it was not to be. I'll just say it was a piece of crap. (make me feel better)

I'll look further into the 427 here on CC.
Short block $3,500 OBO. I believe it's on page #1.

Or maybe the BBM block. The block & head package is $4,950.


At least it's brand new and new technology, etc...

As I thought, it was going to go quick. Still, stay on him!

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by Bernica

As I thought, it was going to go quick. Still, stay on him!

I'll keep in contact with him. Deals fall through all the time.

[FUNFER2]

His ad is still active.

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by 66gtk

I've owned a few Cobras with a 390 FE, 427 FE, 428 FE and a SBF. I can assure you it is much for gratifying to answer the inevitable question (it is always asked), "what's under the hood" with a firm and confident "Ford 427 Sideoiler". Anything else (including a 390 FE) will force you to further explain and make excuses. It doesn't matter how much power it makes, it's more satisfying to truthfully provide the answer they are hoping for.

What motor do you like the best & why ?

Actually, give them a ranking !

[66gtk]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

What motor do you like the best & why ?

Actually, give them a ranking !

Kevin,

This is a very difficult question to answer. Every car and every engine build is different when it comes to Cobras. All my FE cars were ERA, and each of them had their own distinct personality. The SBF was in a Superformance. I love/loved ALL of those cars and their respective motors. They were all up the task of scaring the **** out of me and I could not drive any of them even near their limits.

A friend of mine has an ERA with a 351W and his is set up more for high RPM power. That's the only car I probably didn't like to drive as much. It works for him, as he races it. The FEs all have good grunt down low for the street. My experience has taught me that a racing type motor with all kinds of power at 5000 RPM isn't very useful to me, and isn't as fun to drive on the street. I want my power to come on down low in the 2K-3K RPM range as that is where I primarily use it. The FE does this very well, when built for this purpose. All intakes, cams, carb set ups, etc contribute to this driveability so talk with your engine builder about your realistic usage for your car and you won't have to wish you had done something different. I believe most people OVER build their Cobra engines these days and end up not being able to enjoy them as the power range ultimately isn't very friendly/usable to them.

I'd have to say that right now my favorite engine all around is in my ERA 472 car. It's very street friendly, can get 12+ MPG, even with the dual carbs and a 4 speed. It can come alive and kick your ass at will. It's nothing exotic or fancy...just a mild 427 with old school cast iron ported heads and a mild cam. To me, it's just perfect. It looks great, and I get to tell people it's a Ford 427 FE when they ask.



sound clip: http://customshowboards.com/era472/ERA472enginemix.mp3

I also really enjoyed the KC 482 FE - built from a Pond aluminum block and Dove aluminum heads. It was still streetable at all RPM, but just barely. It sounded like nothing else on the planet to me. Great sounding beast, and a different approach to the experience. Also, very expensive. Both are equally enjoyable to me, but as my experience grows, my tastes seem to change to a less is more approach.

[DanEC]

Adding to Troy's comments - an FE is an FE is an FE - it's all pretty much the same architecture. Method of oiling, side-bolted mains, don't have any bearing on an engine's personality or behavior unless you are building a motor for extremes - like turning 8000 rpms in SCCA or drag strip events - which most people won't want to live with on the street. Any motor built in the 445 - 460 size class (390/445. 428/445/460, 427/454) is going to pretty much sound the same and perform the same given the same cam, compression, intake, exhaust, carburetion, timing set up and quality of build. Their will be subtle differences based on crank stroke and piston bore between them - but you would probably need an engine dyno to distinguish them IMO.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Adding to Troy's comments - an FE is an FE is an FE - it's all pretty much the same architecture. Method of oiling, side-bolted mains, don't have any bearing on an engine's personality or behavior unless you are building a motor for extremes - like turning 8000 rpms in SCCA or drag strip events - which most people won't want to live with on the street. Any motor built in the 445 - 460 size class (390/445. 428/445/460, 427/454) is going to pretty much sound the same and perform the same given the same cam, compression, intake, exhaust, carburetion, timing set up and quality of build. Their will be subtle differences based on crank stroke and piston bore between them - but you would probably need an engine dyno to distinguish them IMO.

I'll add one little caveat, and that is that some original 427 blocks are getting mighty thin around the cylinders. Having an FE that still has some meat around it, and no sleeves, is nice for a couple of reasons. Keep that in the back of your mind.

[davids2toys]

FWIW, let me add this tidbit. If you choose solids lifter just for the sound,it it would be a giant waste. If you have any kind of loud exhaust you wont hear the solids. The builder of my car took out the original Hyd cam because he wanted the solid lifter sound. Pretty much the same specs. He actually told me he wasted his time bacause of the exhaust. I have loud exhaust and I can't hear it at all under normal conditions. By normal conditions I mean with the tunnel in place. At present I am driving the car with no interior so it is noisy as heck. For the first time I can here the lifters, but between that, the flywheel and rotating assy spinning, and the actual road. All the noises together sound terrible.

[FUNFER2]

A mechanical roller engine has it's own wonderful sound. We can hear & feel it in and out of the sprint cars for sure. Even with no mufflers.