Any Tips for Evaluation of a FE 428?

[REDSC400]

Hi: This weekend I will be looking at an 11 year old Cobra replica.

I am not a FE 428 expert, in fact I am a novice when it comes to that engine.

This is an ERA 427SC car with a 3xx serial number, built in 1991-92 time frame. According to the ower who ordered it, it has a 428 engine, originally from his fathers 1966 T-Bird. Also it has a 4 speed toploader trannie with close ratio gears. The engine was rebuilt and blueprinted in 1991 by a local builder with good reputation (2003). The engine was supposedly bored +.030", a cam was put in, all bolts replaced with studs, new cylinders, rings, heads, valves, intake, oil pump. Supplying fuel is a Holley 850 dual pumper. Less than 9000 miles on the engine and car since 1992, typical. I cannot provide you much more detail at this time.

As a prospective buyer of this car, what inspection process or steps should I take which will allow me to figure out if the engine and trannie are sound?

What should I look for in the field when inspecting the car and should I ask for the car to be brought to a local engine specialist for some sort of evaluation???

I am all ears and any advice you all give me is greatly appreciated.
I live only a 40 minute drive from ERA so I am not too concerned at all about the car body or frame.

Again, thanks for your valuable time.
Art in CT

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Art,
There are a few things you can get checked to see if the engine is sound.
I would take an oil sample [about 8 ounces] to a local lab and get it analized for bearing ,cam, ring wear. There will be small amounts of metal in the oil sample. A diesel place such as Catapillar routinely does this check for a few bucks.
Another test would be a cylinder leak down test,any good shop can do this.
Good Luck,
Perry.

[Chaplin]

Obviously if you have a mechanic you can bring it to who is knowledgeable or somewhere you can throw the car up on a lift, you're that much better off. But if you don't, in addition to what Perry said, you might want to check the compression in each cylinder. Simple and cheap enough to do. Hopefully, they'll all be good and the readings should be relatively close from one cylinder to the next. Other than that, I'd drive it and listen to it. You can learn a lot just from the sound and feel of the engine/trans. If something is really wrong, you'll know pretty quickly, i.e., smoking, rods knocking, doesn't shift well (at all), gears grind, serious vibrations from motor and/or trans, etc., etc.

If you checked the compression and/or did a leak down test and drove it and it drove well, I'd fell pretty comfortable. However, that doesn't mean that there couldn't be some lurking problem, it's still a "risk". But chances are, unless a mechanic tore the engine down (which seller wouldn't let you do anyway), it'd be unlikely that you'd discover that problem anyway.

If you're really concerned, you could see if Danbury Competion (the engine builder that ERA uses for their turnkey cars) would be willing to check the engine out for you. Might be worth a call for peace of mind.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[REDSC400]

The oil test is something I did not think of, however, I am wondering just how plausable it is to drop 8 oz of oil out of a car that I do not own. In any case, that is an option. Especially if I can get the car to a mechanic to do a once over inspection.

The compression test is a good one as well.

The driving test is a certain must do. Not having a trained ear that is used to the rather loud rumble of the Cobra's side exhaust, I would imagine that many noises would be hidden by the exhaust note. None the less, as you guys stated, the road test will tell alot.

Thanks Guys...

[CJ428CJ]

I agree with Chaplin on this one. If something is grossly wrong you or your mechanic may catch it but there's no guarantee that major or minor problems won't slip by you. Check for water in the oil and oil in the water. Listen for unusual sounds. Beyond that and perhaps a compression check your best hope is just to look the car over and see if it's been well maintained. If the car is clean and well maintained, chances are the motor has been well taken care of too. If the guy is slimey, he may try and pass off a 390 as a 428 but I doubt it. If he was trying to pull that, he'd tell you that it was a 427. Without tearing the car apart it's virtually impossible to tell the different FE's apart. Good luck.

Chris

[rdorman]

If they won't let you have some oil from the engine, what are they hiding? Do take a LONG test drive in all kinds of traffic. An engine stethoscope is great for over coming the loud exhaust. Lastly having a good local builder look over the car will be a good step.

Good luck!
Rick

[Woodz428]

I prefer a leakdown test over a compression test anytime. Tells much more about the condition of the cylinders, compression tests can be deceptive. Also you mentioned (maybe in error) that all the cylinders had been replaced, does that mean it was sleeved in all the holes? For, me that would be a highly undesirable piece.

[REDSC400]

Originally posted by Woodz428


Also you mentioned (maybe in error) that all the cylinders had been replaced, does that mean it was sleeved in all the holes? For, me that would be a highly undesirable piece.

Oh, I am sorry, I meant the Pistons (forged) and rings were replaced, crank, Dove supports. Some sort of "multi discharge" box and super coil with electronic ignition. I could not write that fast so did not get the name. The heads are polished, and intake is 2.090 and exhause was 1.75"

I was overwhelemed with the data so I did not get names down on paper... When I see the car this weekend I will get that data.

On an engine like this, outside of fluid and filter changes.... what kind of periodic maintenance am I looking at? ie: valve adjustment, timing, carb adjustment and cleaning etc.

I suspect that is all a function of amount of driving and type of driving. I have not owned a big block Ford since (gasp 1966) when I had a Galaxie 500XL convertible with a 427.

It used to pass most everything on the road but a gas station.

Thanks Guys!

[misfit41]

I would check the numbers{bolck and head},get an overall feel of the motor,quality and neatness of plumbing,bolt heads and wiring gives a clue as to how good the builder was,go as far as you can go then make a decision based on the total car,and the price your paying,I think all the other test are asking to much of a seller,it is a used car,some chance is enevitable,if some guy wanted to do a leak down and lab test the oil,I would tell him to get lost,,these guys never buy,I have sold cars all my life,the guys who buys it will know when he pulls in he will buy,,the rest are wasteing time ,looking for a reason not to buy.my thoughts,,Tk