Shelby Aluminum

[misfit41]

I think what KC said makes total sense,,after thinking about all of this,I do think most of us speak from sentiment,or passion of something we like,or Dad had,,etc etc.
I admit I have tremendous affection for the fe's,but who knows,if my 63 galaxie had of had a 292,,I may fight for those,,lol
I also admit to a strong dislike of 385 engines,no offense to anyone,I think this is rooted in the early to mid 70's when the fe's were being fazed out,the 385's then were junk,,boat anchors,plain and simple,I was parts and service mgr at a ford dealership during those years,so I feel qualified to say that,a good 390 would eat up a 429 cj then,and we had constant nightmares ,cooling problems,rocker arm and valve train problems were endless,I remember ordering replacement shortblocks for a 460 van,if memory serves we went thru 3 NEW engines in a 3 or 4 thousand mile van ,bad block castings,My warranty parts hold bin was FULL of 385 engine parts,when the 390's and other fe's were coming in at 145k for regular service and light overhauls ,that sort of sets your mind in negative way.
BUT,,in retrospect,from 73 thru 82 or so,,EVERY part of EVERY car was junk,epa had pounded detroit in a big way and had a huge effect on everything,the fe engine was fazed out because it wasnt interchangable with fords other engine lines like the 385,ford also felt it wasnt wise to develope emissions for the old engine,which was more expensive to make than the more modular 385 series ,out with the old and in with the new.
The 427 was an all out racing engine,the only true racing engine to come out of detroit,it was the highlight and finale of fords racing efforts of the 60's,this was in a time we did not have aftermarket parts, outside shops capable of producing high tech racing parts and components,the 427 stands alone here,there was never before and never again be anything like it,it was NEVER a passenger car engine,most 427's were service blocks bought thru ford parts or Holman Moody,what very few cars equipped with the 427 were NON warrantied and considering for racing only,it's my opinion most people who talk about them group them with 390's and 428's,even though simular,they are worlds apart ,when ford dropped out of racing not many could afford the 427's cost,roughly 3 times that of a 428,or 429,since it was an exclusive block casting took several times the assembly time of the other engines.In my small world then,it was like EF HUTTON,when someone uttered "427" everyone listened,anyone would drive for miles to just see one of the rare monsters,and they were rare even then.
All that said ,my weak point is maybe I have been unfairly biased against the 385's,there undoubtly capable of more power ,and no doubt have enjoyed 30 years of developement ,not to mention cheaper,but my opinion on one thing wont change,in the real world,when all this started,when racing was racing,when you bought your parts from the local chevy/ford/or mopar dealer,the 427 stands alone,nothing else came close, I do wonder how things would be if ford stayed in racing,and futher developed the fe,but truth is,its too big to be a small block,and too small to be a big block,and was the best that the 50's and 60's could offer us,,damn I love em,,and still hate 385's,but thats what makes this great,,I have said this before,if we all werent clingers in some way,none of us would be spending ridiculous amounts of money and effort on an antiquated car that offers the same creature comforts of riding a motorcycle,a small motorcycle at that,,lol,,ain life grand ?
I feel much better now,,FYI I also HATE SBC crate engines in street rods,
I also enjoyed the thread,,but I still want one of them crossbolt station wagons,a white woodie with red guts would be my choice,and one of those silver and pink trailers to pull behind,,
hehehe,,Tim