Pond, BBM, Genesis, Shelby. Quality, Machining and Final Cost ?

[Barry_R]

I will back up Brent's comments 100%

I am still building them - - but its with some reservations

Every one of them needs work.

Every one of them.

[FUNFER2]

Hi Brent, why do you hatr aluminum FE blocks ?

Right now, I'm researrching what I want and my needs. I hate buying/building anything,.....too quickly, so I research,.... everything. It's a love hatef of type thing, especially if
my decision turns out to be wrong.

I'm going back and forth between an 428FE, 427 side oiler, 390FE Or, becare of lower cost and HP/TQ, with the 460, boring and stroking it to 514 (+).

My Cobra is set up for a 428FE, with motor mounts, brand new flywheel, bellhousing and new clutch.

The possible problems with changing to the 385 series is,

trading or selling the FE parts above, is the width and height of a 460 going to be a issue, maybe making a new higher hood scoop wich means body work and respraying the entire hood and matching the pearl in my white stripes. All of that is not a problem, as I'm a retired autobody/painter, but the cost of the paint is expensive even with me doing the work.

The problems with staying with an FE is,

The total cost is very high.

Finding a old 428 block in good condition, or a newly casted block,
the cost of either is expensive.

Lack of high HP/TQ with the older FE vs cost. $15,000 to $18,000. I,m wanting 600 HP @ the crank. The 460 is easy 600, the FE ,...not, plus extreme cost of an FE at that HP.

I'm looking at aluminum and iron blocks. So give me your thoughts of both.

When I do get the funds, my wife/boss says around $13,000, but if needed, we'll see about more. I also need a tranny. .

I lost $10,000 in the last build as my engine builder went belly up thus steeling my money and parts. Long story,.....(I think Brent knows my story)

I'm having trouble on Barry's site of the cost of complete engines and short blocks ?
Same issue on George's website ?

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Hi Brent, why do you hate aluminum FE blocks?

Browsing the forums (e.g. FE Talk) and/or use of the search tool on CC would save others from covering ground already well covered. Regardless, Brent's thoughts and comments are in this multi-page thread - worth reading for anyone contemplating such a decision: What's the appeal of an aluminum engine block?

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Right now, I'm researrching what I want and my needs. I hate buying/building anything,.....too quickly, so I research,.... everything. It's a love hatef of type thing, especially if
my decision turns out to be wrong.

I have no problem with research, but it appears our definitions are markedly different. My perspective is that research involves far more effort on my part to search, read and discover that information which is already available. I'll ask questions subsequent to that if it's not available, or if there are ambiguities which I can't resolve on my own - after attempting 'best efforts' to do so. Research, IMO, is not dumping every possible question I have to others to answer. There is a cost to answers and, while that may not always be visible, it requires an investment of time, energy and sometimes money to respond. Should Brent be spending time answering your questions when that takes time away from his business? I respect his decisions to limit such time, as I respect those of others.

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I'm going back and forth between an 428FE, 427 side oiler, 390FE Or, becare of lower cost and HP/TQ, with the 460, boring and stroking it to 514 (+).

My Cobra is set up for a 428FE, with motor mounts, brand new flywheel, bellhousing and new clutch.

The possible problems with changing to the 385 series is,

trading or selling the FE parts above, is the width and height of a 460 going to be a issue, maybe making a new higher hood scoop wich means body work and respraying the entire hood and matching the pearl in my white stripes. All of that is not a problem, as I'm a retired autobody/painter, but the cost of the paint is expensive even with me doing the work.

The problems with staying with an FE is,

The total cost is very high.

Finding a old 428 block in good condition, or a newly casted [SIC] block, the cost of either is expensive.

Lack of high HP/TQ with the older FE vs cost. $15,000 to $18,000. I,m wanting 600 HP @ the crank. The 460 is easy 600, the FE ,...not, plus extreme cost of an FE at that HP.

I'm looking at aluminum and iron blocks. So give me your thoughts of both.

Document in detail all the elements of each solution, all the pluses and minuses, financial or otherwise, logical and emotional, then run them through some form of analysis (e.g. a spreadsheet) - and it's highly likely your decision will be easier and quicker. For example, if you place high value on bragging rights about RWHP, then assign a value to it. If having an FE and being more 'period correct' is more important to you, then assign a value to that. This is your decision and nobody can make it for you.

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

When I do get the funds, my wife/boss says around $13,000, but if needed, we'll see about more. I also need a tranny.

Funding this endeavour is your business / challenge - few of us escape that conundrum.

BTW, what do transvestites have to do with this? LOL

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I lost $10,000 in the last build as my engine builder went belly up thus steeling my money and parts. Long story,.....(I think Brent knows my story)

That's a 'sunk cost' - though there may be value in the lessons learned.

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I'm having trouble on Barry's site of the cost of complete engines and short blocks ?
Same issue on George's website ?

Pick up the phone.

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by Barry_R

I will back up Brent's comments 100%

I am still building them - - but its with some reservations

Every one of them needs work.

Every one of them.

Hi Barry,
What is the problems with the aluminum blocks ?

[FUNFER2]

Brian, some good points.

Remember though, people that are sick of reading and responding to the same questions, need not to respond, and that of course means Brent and several others I have a learning disability, so it's a lot easier for me to gain knowlege by looking here on CC.

If members only surf in the search box for answers to their questions, CC has been established for many years now with who knows, how many discussions/questions/answers about the same issues there neednt be any discusions or questions at all. So what, just look it up your self and
that's it ?

Do you and the few others want CC to be just a data base/Library ?

Maybe that's what the complainers should start up.

Again, we're not making,...... people reply. It's not "Click it or Ticket" here people, just don't click on the reply tab.

[FUNFER2]

Brian,

Did you have any problems in getting that BIG 460 into you west coast cobra ?
Someone also mentioned how large the width is. One even had to dimple a valve cover bacause it hit his firewall.

What's the specs with yours ?
Did you build or buy it ?
Has it been dynoed ?

Anything you'd do different or want to add ?