Big Block vs Small Block maintenance

[DanEC]

The 4 hour plug change story for an FE probably dates back to when the 390 first appeared in the Mustang in 1967. I remember all sorts of horror stories on trying to reach a couple of the plugs due to the spring towers and other stuff. Seems like the passenger side was the tightest. I had a friend with a 69 390 Mach 1 and he ran around for weeks with a loose plug in the thing because he claimed he couldn't figure out how to get in there to tighten it.

Except for the driver side back plug being a little tight - they are pretty easy to get to on my ERA. A flat tappet hydraulic or roller hydraulic cam FE that's properly assembled should be a good reliable and low maintenance motor.

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by DanEC

The 4 hour plug change story for an FE probably dates back to when the 390 first appeared in the Mustang in 1967. I remember all sorts of horror stories on trying to reach a couple of the plugs due to the spring towers and other stuff. Seems like the passenger side was the tightest. I had a friend with a 69 390 Mach 1 and he ran around for weeks with a loose plug in the thing because he claimed he couldn't figure out how to get in there to tighten it.

Except for the driver side back plug being a little tight - they are pretty easy to get to on my ERA. A flat tappet hydraulic or roller hydraulic cam FE that's properly assembled should be a good reliable and low maintenance motor.

I had a '67 Mustang GT S-Code (390) in high school. Changing the plugs was a PITA since for some of the plugs near the shock towers you could only turn the ratchet 1 click at a time due to clearance. Not sure it took 4 hours though.

But I have a ton more space with the 427 S/O in my cobra, especially for plugs. Header bolts can be a bit more of a hassle though, but not sure how this compares to windsor motors.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by DanEC

The 4 hour plug change story for an FE probably dates back to when....

30mins to change the plugs. 3 1/2hr to marvel at the beauty of the FE, while sucking down a couple of you favourite beers.

Same same as a small block... but unless the small block has webers, after 30mins you're closing the hood to hide the shame.


3, 2, 1...
Take cover!!!

[patrickt]

I know that Ernie (Excalibur) told me he had to cut a little trap door in the foot box to get to Plug #8 on his early ERA, but with the modified foot boxes on the later cars, changing the plugs on my #732 is as easy as it gets.