Thoughts on this Side Oiler for sale ?

[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.

[FUNFER2]

He's waiting for the check to clear.

Well, what about the other engine that I posted from a seller here on CC ?
It's the 427 center oiler for $3,500 OBO.