428 CJ block

[Power Surge]

Hey guys. I just bought what I was told was a 428 CJ block. The owner was very helpful, and honest. He pointed out the extra webbing on the mains, but since I've never really seen the inside of any other FE block, that didn't mean much to me. I know the CJ blocks have a "C" welded on the back. This block has that, but in all honesty it looks like a "G". I guess it could be a C but if it is, the guy at Ford who did it must have had a few too many the night before. So my question is- is there any such thing as a 428 block with a "G" on the back (and if so, what is it) or is it just a really sloppy "C"? Thanks!

BTW, he listed it as std bore, and I mic'ed up each cylinder to 4.13, so I think that's good.

[LwCwb]

Sal, if you post the casting numbers someone on CC will be able to tell you exactly what you got.

[Clois Harlan]

Sal,

The welded "C" on my block was kind of cursive and could resemble a "G" but it all checked out.

I strongly recommend you use a good reputable "FORD" engine builder. Be sure and use quality parts and be certain to have all your clearances correct. Use oil restrictors in your heads. Balance your engine and you should be very happy with your build and performance. By the way if you need a newly built original expansion tank I have one that George Anderson of Gessford Machine built for me I would make you a good price on it.

Clois

[Power Surge]

Originally posted by Clois Harlan


Sal,

The welded "C" on my block was kind of cursive and could resemble a "G" but it all checked out.

I strongly recommend you use a good reputable "FORD" engine builder. Be sure and use quality parts and be certain to have all your clearances correct. Use oil restrictors in your heads. Balance your engine and you should be very happy with your build and performance. By the way if you need a newly built original expansion tank I have one that George Anderson of Gessford Machine built for me I would make you a good price on it.

Clois

Clois, I assume this is one of the converted tanks where they cut it down to the right height and turn the tank around so it's a proper Cobra setup? If so, send me some pics and what you want for it, I'll probably take it. E-mail is powersurgeperf@aol.com.

I'm going to get some numbers off the block in a few minutes.

[Power Surge]

Ok, it's def a "C" now that I look closer at it. It looks like whoever carved the C in the sand cast must has dragged the tool by accident across it. The extra part that makes it look like a G doesn't connect to the C.

I could not find any casting numbers, other than the normal 352 markings and what I was told was the date code. The date code is 9B11, does that mean Feb 11, 1969?

I'll say one thing, they sure did cast these suckers thin, I've never seen a block so skimpy, but it sure is light for what it is.

Does anyone have any experiance with adding in aftermarket cross bolt mains, or using a main girdle?

[blykins]

PowerSurge, there should be another set of casting numbers on the block....something like C7MEA....That will let you know the exact year and some more information on the block.

Both cross bolt mains and main girdles are available.

[Power Surge]

blykins, any idea where those numbers are supposed to be? I don't see them anywhere.

[Clois Harlan]

Sal,

you are correct. The tank has been cut cown and turned around pressure tested and painted. I still have the invoice from George and I paid $225.00 for it but it has never been used. I ended up with a Dove Alum Expansion Tank.

I won't charge you that much for the tank, in fact make me an offer plus freight and I will try and send you a picture tonight. It has never been used or installed since I got it from George Anderson.


Clois Harlan
email me at tulsacobra@valornet.com
or call me at 918-357-9868

[blykins]

Surge, not right off the top of my head....I had a sweet high nickel C7MEA 390 block awhile back.....with intentions of building it.....and then sold it. It was the only FE block I had ever seen up close.

There is another casting # on there though....I can assure you. Let me look through my reference books and see if I can remember where it was. To me, it was easier to find than the one you posted...hehehe....a lot more letters.....

[blykins]

Surge, check passenger side at front of block....

[Power Surge]

Ok, I have not found any cast numbers, but there's lots of numbers stamped all over it.

On the pass front timing cover area is what looks like "9B20N" stamped in it. On the front lifter valley end rail there are several "3"s stamped. On the little cast pad on the pass front corner there is a "9" stamped. I noticed on the drivers rear of the block there is a cast flat pad, with what looks like 8 digits stamped in it. Could this be a partial VIN? Were the VINs stamped on the blocks? It's hard to make out exactly what the stamping is, as the top portion of all the digits was stamped a bit light and hard to read. That's all I've found so far.

[xlr8or]

Surge here's a link to the casting numbers on the Gessford Machine site:

http://www.gessford.com/images/FEcastingnumbers.gif

Scott

[blykins]

It will be at least 4 characters....and there's a dash between the 4th and 5th....

Check this link out also..

http://www.aacncclub.com/FORD_BLOCK_CASTING.html

The bottom block is a 390....it should show you what you're looking for.

[Power Surge]

My block looks like that 390 picture, but I do not have a casting number there. I don't have anything there. I do have that little regtangular pad, but there is NOTHING else there, just block casting. And there is no indication it was ground off, as you can plainly see the entire area is sand finish.

[blykins]

The two pics are different....the top one is a 302...the bottom one is an FE block....

[Power Surge]

Sorry, I edited my post after I realized what I wrote was about the 302 pic .

[blykins]

I'd say you got a 428...there's not many other FE blocks that will take a bore that big....except for some 390's and I think the 406 is that bore. I'm by no means an FE expert, but I think the 406's had cross-bolted mains and an HP on the block.

Also, a bored 390 would not have the crows feet (extra webbing) on the mains.

One other fun thing you can check is check inside the freeze plug holes for a "428" casting....

I'll do some other checking on the 9B11, but I don't think it will give you the year.

Does the block have an X in the lifter galley? If so, it's a high nickel block....which is an added bonus.

[FFR428]

Sal check out www.pro-gram.com they make aftermarket maincaps to crossbolt any FE block. I believe in 69 Ford started stamping the vin on blocks so what you see might be the vin on the rear of the block. C7ME and C8ME were the std casting numbers for the cj block. With the center freeze plug removed you can see 428 cast inside. You might need a flashlight to see it clearly. The vin code should have a R or Q in it for the cj id. Also check out www.428cobrajet.org this is the cobrajet registry. It has a great component ID section where they show the details between the std and cj blocks. Casting and date code info also. Let us know what you find.....G.

[blykins]

Surge....if it's indeed a 9B11, and if the big blocks are marked the way the small blocks are, then that's a February 11th, 1969 block. Hope this helps bud.....

[Power Surge]

Ok, there is no X in the lifter valley, but there is a "50" cast in there if that matters. I do see the "428" in the center freeze hole. There is also something else I noticed. I've seen NOS service blocks on ebay that had big numbers painted in the lifter valley for each cylinder. I can see the shadows of these numbers in the metal in my lifter valley. Since I have these painted numbers, and I have no casting number, maybe this is a CJ service block? I'm just guessing of course .