Retro Engines Program FE engines

gary534 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2003, 02:14 PM

I contacted Ford and suggested they have a Retro Engines Program for their 100th anniversary in 2003. I suggested they offer five FE crate engines : a 432 CID DOHC, a 456 CID medium riser, high riser, and SOHC, and a 480 CID tunnel port. 432 CID specs : 4.38 bore x 3.584 stroke, 1.625 piston compression ht, 0.033 deck clearance, 6.72 con rod length (1.875 rod ratio), 10.17 block deck ht. 456 CID specs : 4.38 bore x 3.784 stroke, 1.625 piston compression ht, 0.031 deck clearance, 6.622 con rod length (1.75 rod ratio), 10.17 block deck ht. 480 CID specs : 4.38 bore x 3.984 stroke, 1.675 piston compression ht, 0.029 deck clearance, 6.474 con rod length (1.625 rod ratio), 10.17 block deck ht. Engines feature forged pistons, billet or forged con rods with oil hole up the beam for the pin and 7/16 cap screw rod bolts, billet or forged crank, cross-bolted main bearing caps, SOHC and DOHC have gear driven cams. I encourage any of you who want to see Ford come out with the 432-456-480 FE engines to contact them at www.fordnewideas.com

Rick Bagley · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2003, 01:53 PM

Chrysler had the right idea and brought the Hemi back in several configurations. Why not a FE?? I do belive one of the engines should be a 427 cu in side oiler. The only reason FE engines are not seen by alot of the street rodders is availability and price. Put a FE crate engine out there and they will start showing up in Ford Street Rods instead of Chevy Crate Eengines. Be good for the replica market too.

decooney · #3 (**permalink**) 07-13-2003, 12:15 AM

Gary,
I logged in and submitted a follow-up request with details for a crate 427SO & 428CJ to be offered, with references to the 426 Hemi. Others interested should do so as well to get their attention. I mentioned ClubCobra too... Duane

gary534 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 10:50 AM

Duane,thank you for making a recommendation to Ford. In my opinion, a 480 CID tunnel port in an AC Cobra or Cobra kit car would be a tough combination to beat.

decooney · #5 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 03:04 PM

I'd buy one if it happend.

RallySnake · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 05:52 PM

I'd buy one if the price were right and the reports were better than the current Ford crate engines. Maybe if it had a warrenty?

Paul

decooney · #7 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 05:59 PM

Paul,
us diehard FE guys just won't go away... If it looks like an FE, smells like an FE, fits and sounds like an FE, then I'd buy one...

RallySnake · #8 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 06:50 PM

Duane,

I guess three out of four isn't too bad. I mean, I understand the looks and the smell and the fit. It just the sounds of people complaining about broken parts (and broken wallets) that gets me. Know what I mean?

Paul

gary534 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 08:08 AM

Eliminator, the Genesis 427 iron blocks come with a 4.25 bore, I dont know if they are available with the standard 427 bore 4.23. But they can always be bored out larger - how about a 4.32 bore x 3.64 stroke - 427 retro engine? It would have a 1.675 piston compression ht, 0.032 deck clearance, 6.643 con rod length (1.825 rod ratio), 10.17 block deck ht. It would be more oversquare than the original 427 for more RPM potential. Would that be to your liking, or do you think that Im missing the point with new specs?

Lowell W · #10 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 09:08 AM

Gary,

Good idea. May be practical, maybe not, but I did go to the Ford website and fill out the questionnaire. Kind of a PIA but I can only imagine all the strange communications they must get from this world and perhaps others (?).

Thanks,

Lowell

decooney · #11 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 09:37 AM

Paul,
yeah, I know what you mean but I reconfirmed once again the other evening out driving with four other Cobas as to why I enjoy my FEs so much. Now if we could just buy new ones, with a few updates, at a reasonable price, I'd do it again. They just sound incredible and mine pulls like a friggin freight train. When they are dialed in, it's still worth it to me... knock on wood

gary534 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 08:39 AM

The full address for ford new ideas web page is : http://fordnewideas.com/main/home.html

Rick Bagley · #13 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 02:31 PM

Gary,

Dosn't sound too bad. I did get a response from Ford that they received my suggestions. Who knows , "nothing ventured nothing gained"

gary534 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-28-2003, 02:15 PM

I was considering something larger than the 480 CID for the Retro Engines Program, but didnt know what stroke the FE would take. Then I read the 489 and 496 CID posts, where the engines have a 4.25 stroke. And I came up with an idea for a 510 CID tunnel port. 510 CID specs: 4.38 bore x 4.23 stroke, 1.675 piston compression ht (same as the 480), 0.035 deck clearance, 6.345 con rod length (1.5 rod ratio - the bare minimum in my opinion ), 10.17 block deck ht. Note that the 510 uses the same pistons and block as the 480 - all the same parts, in fact, except for the crank and con rods. Maybe if some of you guys like the 510 concept you could contact Ford for me. Ive pestered them enough with my letters and e-mails.

COBRAVENOM · #15 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 04:59 PM

Hello everbody!



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