Keith Craft Inc.- We service what we sell!!! Check out our Cobra engines!!! We build high performance racing engines and components for the fast pace strip racing industry as well as daily drivers who want to be FIRST!!!

FE Forums sponsored by Keith Craft Inc.


Go Back   Club Cobra > Engine Building, Tuning, and Induction > FE TALK

Welcome to Club Cobra!  The World's largest non biased Shelby Cobra related site!

  •  » Representation from nearly all Cobra/Daytona/GT40 manufacturers
  •  » Help from all over the world for your questions
  •  » Build logs for you and all members
  •  » Blogs
  •  » Image Gallery
  •  » Many thousands of members and nearly 1 million posts! 

YES! I want to register an account for free right now!  p.s.: For registered members this ad will NOT show

Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
Main Menu
Nevada Classics
Nevada Classics
Keith Craft Racing
MMG Superformance
Advertise at CC
Banner Ad Rates
MMG Superformance
Keith Craft Racing
April 2024
S M T W T F S
  1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30        

Kirkham Motorsports

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 10:25 AM
lineslinger's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Cobra Make, Engine: 427 S.O. Dual Quad / Cobra undecided
Posts: 1,380
Not Ranked     
Default 427SO block now a boat anchor

After magnafluxing my 427SO block my engine builder found what he felt could be a serious problem . Went ahead and had the block soni-checked where a crack in the #2 main bearing saddle was confirmed. Has anyone ever heard of fixing this? From all the information I have been able to gather this block is now a bust. Fortunatly I did not shell a lot of cash for this block so right now my losses are minimal. I am now considering a 427 top oiler or a 428 cj.
Any advice, opinions, or alternatives from you guys would be appreciated.
Thanks
M

Last edited by lineslinger; 05-27-2004 at 10:28 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 11:35 AM
wicked fast's Avatar
The longest build.....
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Midwest, USA, KS
Cobra Make, Engine: Mid-States, 428 Police Interceptor, TKO 5 speed, Jaguar rearend, Trigos, and Guardsman Blue!!!
Posts: 612
Not Ranked     
Default

M,

Check this guy out.
Talked to him last year about
doing almost the same thing to a 427.

Midwest Cylinder Head
1700 West "F" Avenue
Nevada, Iowa 50201 USA

Contact: Rex Baker
Phone: 515-382-2791
Toll-Free: 800-873-8506
Email: midwestcylhead@aol.com

If not, I would buy your boat anchor for $50.00 !!!

Good luck,
Bill


__________________
If you were to die tonight, are you 100% sure
that you would go to Heaven ??

www.bluecarministries.com
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 02:16 PM
Sal Gerace's Avatar
Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Southern, NJ
Cobra Make, Engine: CSX4300, C5AE-H, Toploader
Posts: 695
Not Ranked     
Default

There is a company called Cast Metal Restorations that is well known for repairing cast iron blocks and heads. They have a web site. If you can not find it email me and I will locate it for you when I get back to my home computer, Sal.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 02:40 PM
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 15,712
Not Ranked     
Default

Couldn't be a worse place on the block to have a crack! Welding up a crack in just about any other location would be a snap. But the main bearings are the greatest stressed area.

Hopefully it can be addressed. It would be cool to have a side oiler over a top oiler or a 428. Worth looking into.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 02:54 PM
CJ428CJ's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Livermore, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #629, BBM Side Oiler Block, 482ci, Richmond 5 speed
Posts: 851
Not Ranked     
Default

Before I spent a ton of money repairing your block I'd consider going with one of the new Genesis blocks.

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 03:04 PM
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 15,712
Not Ranked     
Default

Good luck getting one of those!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 03:11 PM
Turk's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Bay Area, FL
Cobra Make, Engine: What Cobra?
Posts: 7,193
Send a message via Yahoo to Turk
Not Ranked     
Default

Call George at Gessford Machine about the proper repair techique.

I am not sure I would have someone else repair the block and then have someone else build the motor.

It would be prudent to have the same people performing both operations that way there would be no finger pointing if it fails.

Right now you are out the cost of a replacement block. After it is all buttoned up, you may be out the cost of a complete FE engine, if it decides to granade itself.

TURK
__________________
OBAMA IN in 2012

Last edited by Turk; 05-27-2004 at 05:33 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 04:07 PM
SCOBRAC's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Northern California, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: -Sold- Contemporary 427S/C # CCX-3152 1966 427 Med Rise Side Oiler, 8v 3.54:1 Salisbury IRS, Koni's.. (Now I'm riding Harleys)
Posts: 2,567
Not Ranked     
Default

The reality is the crack was likely there from day one. It would probably work fine without fixing it at all. Am I suggesting you do it. NO. I'm just saying most cracks are part of the manufacturing process. Many are only (in)visible through processes unknown or never done back in the day.

Should you have it repaired? It depends. What is the bore? If it's .030 or more maybe not. If it is .015-.020 probably. If it's sandard I would say hell yes.
__________________
michael

A man that is young in years, may be old in hours, if he have lost no time. But that happeneth rarely. Generally, youth is like the first cogitations, not so wise as the second. For there is a youth in thoughts, as well as in ages... Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 04:15 PM
HIQ's Avatar
HIQ HIQ is offline
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 579
Not Ranked     
Default

Follow Turks advise. George is a FE expert and will tell you the truth - not what you want to hear.

Good luck! A Side Oiler is a terrible thing to waste.
__________________
'It's not getting any smarter out there. You have to come to terms with stupidity and make it work for you.' -- Frank Zappa
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 07:15 PM
Sal Gerace's Avatar
Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Southern, NJ
Cobra Make, Engine: CSX4300, C5AE-H, Toploader
Posts: 695
Not Ranked     
Default

Here is the link to the restoration shop. Like Turk said give George a call and ask for his opinion. I would listen to whatever he tells you about wether or not the engine can withstand this kind of repair. I was suggesting the other company because they have done a freeze cracked 427 block that I know of. The engine builder who then buildt the engine said it was a very nicely done repair. The freeze crack repair was $1000.00. If your block is a rare date then it would be worth the money. Good luck and I hope it works out for you, Sal.Crow Welding
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 07:32 PM
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Hastings, Nebraska USA,
Posts: 345
Not Ranked     
Default

Sadly this is a reality on may FE blocks...not just the Side Oiler...this is why these blocks must always be Magna Fluxed carefully in machines large enough to provide the best results...it's not unusual to find cracks in the deck that Heads studs can help resolve...but the main saddle is usually a different story.
#3 Main crack











Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 05-27-2004, 08:38 PM
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 15,712
Not Ranked     
Default

So George are you saying there is no satisfactory way to repair a cracked main?
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 05-28-2004, 05:29 AM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: E BRUNSWICK N.J. USA,
Posts: 3,841
Not Ranked     
Default

Lineslinger M couple of things, Any motor can be welded up with the correct procedure. Block has to be heated to 600f for a time and special rods are needed to weld with. They do 2-3 heat cycles. It then goes on a stress table for some time and test the weld area. If OK the section of the block is stronger than anyother. Keep checking on E-Bay. Does it have to be a SO block?? 90% of the people wouldn't know the differents, Cobra nuts that's a different story. I am not a machinist but in the old days when motors cracked alot of them where welded. What are you going to do with this car, cruiser, racecar, waxer, Under easy care I would bet 20$ that motor will hold with a weld job and good machine work for truness. I will look for a couple of articles on welders who do this. You put side bolts in a 390 with caps and no one will see the differents. Last question HOW much HP&TORK are you looking for?? Answer these Q&A and maybe you found the answer. Rick Lake. Ps if you are going racing or building a top notch car you maywant to go with the Shelby or Genesis block. The Alum blocks are 90 lbs lighter than iron, in a cobra that's alot
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 05-28-2004, 11:05 AM
lineslinger's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Cobra Make, Engine: 427 S.O. Dual Quad / Cobra undecided
Posts: 1,380
Not Ranked     
Default

The main reason the machinists are giving me negative feedback is this crack runs from the top of the saddle straight down through the cam bore and continues slightly into the webbing itself. Maybe one day I will spend the bucks to repair it properly but for this build I would like to start off with a solid block, not one with a crack in it.
428CJ could be the next contestant, testing starts soon. Wish me luck.
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 05-28-2004, 11:08 AM
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 15,712
Not Ranked     
Default

Dang, thats a mean crack if it goes all the way into the cam bore. I'd be so nervous even after repair I'd be afraid to "hammer" the motor!
Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 05-28-2004, 11:16 AM
lineslinger's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Cobra Make, Engine: 427 S.O. Dual Quad / Cobra undecided
Posts: 1,380
Not Ranked     
Default

Rick Lake,
I have looked at the aluminum blocks being offered by Carroll Shelby engine parts. I believe they are asking in excess of 5k for one of those. I did see a couple of NOS 427SO blocks for sale on ebay, one was $4,000 the other $4,200, this 428 block (if it has no cracks) is a lot more cost effective for my build, my budget for a completed power plant being $7,000 + or - including blowproof bell housing but no gear box.
Mark
Reply With Quote
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 05-28-2004, 11:21 AM
lineslinger's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Cobra Make, Engine: 427 S.O. Dual Quad / Cobra undecided
Posts: 1,380
Not Ranked     
Default

Excaliber,
I'm with you. I would always be worried about something letting go inside and sacraficing a lot of new and expensive parts. I know it would end up giving me nightmares and could you ever really open it up with that repaired crack haunting you?
Reply With Quote
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 05-28-2004, 11:37 AM
ST's Avatar
ST ST is offline
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham#182/Shelby 496c.i.
Posts: 756
Not Ranked     
Default

lineslinger

In a month or two I'll be selling the sideoiler that I'm currently using in my Kirkham. It will be priced very close to what you're looking to spend. It's got about 5K miles on it and if you come to Vegas, you can even drive it.
Email me if you're interested.
__________________
"You can NEVER teach a pig to sing! You'd just be wasting your time and annoying the pig!"
Reply With Quote
  #19 (permalink)  
Old 06-01-2004, 09:01 AM
lineslinger's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Cobra Make, Engine: 427 S.O. Dual Quad / Cobra undecided
Posts: 1,380
Not Ranked     
Default

I thank all of you for the input and suggestions. I emailed George Gesford and gave him a brief description of the problem. As suspected, in his opinion, there are no options on fixing the damage to the bearing saddle.
If Mr. Gessford says its no good I think it wise to go with that and move on.
Thanks again for the help guys.
Mark
Reply With Quote
  #20 (permalink)  
Old 06-01-2004, 09:12 AM
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 15,712
Not Ranked     
Default

ST, curious. What engine are you going with to replace the FE?
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: CC Policy