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Finally buying an FE!!!
After months of research and reading this and other forums, I have finally decided to buy an FE engine. This will be the start of a project for my young sons and I which will culminate in a finished 427 Roadster. We have yet to buy the kit/chassis, so this is just our first step.
Here's my dilemma. I want this to be a project for us to rebuild the engine. Should I buy a complete engine out of say an old t-bird or just buy a block and start fresh? I think they will learn more from a teardown and rebuild than just a build, but I want to make sure we don't get into a big pile of junk in the process. Any input would really be appreciated. We are going with a 390 and plan on dressing it up a bit to resemble the cobra engine. Pete P.S. If anyone thinks we are doing this backwards and should buy the kit first....please let me know! ty |
Getting a complete "Core" from an older car is genererally less expensive and is a good idea unless you ultimately plan on replacing heads, rods, manifold etc. It allows you to see how it all "Fits" together. One negative however is that you rarely know what the existing bore size is unless it is already disassembled.
About all that would be left in a complete state would a "run of the mill" 390 in a pickup or early 60's car. |
Congrats, you can't go wrong with an FE engine for a Cobra. There is nothing wrong with having the engine first, it will help to keep you motivated.
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My words of wisdom:
Buy at least a short block from a reputable source ie KC or FE Specialists. I know a few people that tried it from scratch and all of them would agree start with a great base. IT WILL COST LESS....................;) |
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I have the opportunity to buy an engine from a '65 t-bird...still in the car... that I'm looking at tonight. I was thinking of using that block rebuilt and maybe some edlebrock heads. Am I on the right path here? |
PJ4, I think you maybe better off buying a pro built engine . I have built a 390 and a 428 , they are not cheap to build and a number of things a FE pro can help you avoid . There is some good buys from a number of builders that advertise on are forum.
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If you can be happy with a stock 8.5:1 390 putting out about 320 HP, you cannot go wrong with the used T-Bird engine. A good rebuild isn't cheap, but won't cost anything near what most of these high performance FE's you see here often cost. You can use many of the stock parts from the T-Bird except the flex plate, which must be changed out for a flywheel. Good luck.
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There are a number of good reference book on building a FE engine. Get one of them. These engines have a number of issues that an experienced builder will address that a novice might miss. A short block properly done would be my suggestion as well. If you use the short block builder as a resource for your head and induction decisions, the assembly should go much smoother and yield the engine you hope for. Understand that these cars are almost always overpowered, 390, 428, 427 you are in for the ride of your life. The assembly and finish of your engine as well as kit, going as smooth as possible is what most are looking for. Take your time, talk to the manufacturers, the builders and take a ride in as many cars as you can. Most owners are more than willing to share their enthusiasm. Most importantly have fun! Rick
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Books
How To Rebuild Big-Block Ford Engines
by Steve Christ ISBN 0-89586-070-8 $18.95 High Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange By George Reid ISBN 1-884089-33-X Maybe $25 best of luck Dwight |
FE iron heads
stock heads will need to be rebuild and harden valve seat install for unleaded gas that we burn today.
Dwight |
PJ4myboo.
A complete engine can run in a car but end up impossible to rebuild. The block needs to be sonic tested ( like ringing a bell, if it goes thud instead of ping it's cracked) Also it could already too overbored and not allow enough metal for fresh machining. If you think an assembled short block will take away some of the assembly fun you can source a good straight tested, measured block and start there. I had many tense moments on the 428PI engine I got out of a 60's drag boat. Lucked out on the sonic but had to sleeve two cylinders, not cheap. Whatever you decide it will cost more than you think , be more fun and satisfying than you could have imagined, and you kids will remember it for the rest of their lives. What are you waiting for? |
I am not sure how this would work for you, but my experience with the FE engines is they are expensive. If you want a chance for your sons to have a chance to see how everything works and goes together I would suggest talking to one of the reputable engine builders and see if they will sell you a short block unassembled but with the correct pistons, crank, rods and etc and then you could assemble it. We used to have a place here that built engines and they would do that and sell them in any stage you wanted all the way up to a complete engine. The nice thing about it was that everything was matched for whatever you wanted. Correct heads, cam and etc.
1985 CCX has a good suggestion also. And for a street cruiser you don't need 500 horsepower and all the trick heads and such that really run into money. Ron :) |
PJ4.......buy the t-bird 390 and have your kids help tear it out of the car........you can have a real fun car with a "run of the mill 390" and you are teaching your kids to do things on their own instead of shelling out cubic bucks to have someboby do it for them.If you do a stock rebuild on a 390(cast pistons) and add a small cam, aluminum intake and a 4 bbl carb and run side pipes, that car will scare the heck out of you and the kids......have fun with this......check with Shell Valley Custom Wheels for a kit, they will work with you on what you want,call and ask for Travis and get an info pack and tell them i sent you...........
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I have an FE engine I'll let you have for $100.00. Darn thing is almost complete.
It is a 360. You can punch it up and see what you end up with. It has been sitting in the barn for a long time. Good adventure engine if you are interested. :D |
Here is something to consider in the chronology of your project. Considering you haven't ordered your kit yet, you will be building the engine and it will sit for a year or two (maybe more) before you orderthe kit, build the kit, and install the engine.
Unless you take pretty meticulous care to make sure the engine is turned over regularly and oiled on a regular basis, that is a long time for an assembled engine to sit in a relatively moist climate you live in. For this reason alone, I've got all the pieces for my 393 stroker waiting to be assembled when I am finished with the build and ready to assemble and start the engine in a fairly short fashion rather than let it set for too long and possibly rust internally or have other problems. Just my 2 cent's worth. Bob |
Thanks for all of your thoughts and advice. We looked at the t-bird tonight. It has been sitting for quite some time (like 20 years!) but it looked pretty darn original. I'm just worried that the block is cracked. HArd to tell when it's in the car and not running. I'm going to call some builders tomorrow to see what a short block will cost, but I'm leaning toward the whole adventure side of this build so the bird may be the word!
I have to admit that I had flashbacks to my old car restoration days....tons of rust and gunk....thought I was done with that! Then again, it will be good for them to get dirty. It's all part of the fun!!! Pete |
PJ,
If you have some engine building experience I say go for it! unless you want a race motor;) I built my 427 and I learn a lot and loved it;) ps. just do your homework! http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/ |
Building the car and/or engine can be as enjoyable as driving it. Maybe you can have your local machinist do up the short block and heads with a stock rebuild kit. Then shop for the Cobra that fits your budget. Remember, up front cost doesn't necessarily mean a better or cheaper kit. Do your homework and enjoy your project with your kids, and it will be a priceless experience.
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you could just make a trip to st louis and buy one of my engines in the classifieds
and be done with it |
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