Dilemma

[390fetruck]

I have a 427 Side Oiler service block. I know what a dilemma to have. It is a fresh .030 service block no repairs. I have no need for an OEM block and have some reservations about using it and risking damage when there are other options available. I also have some 385 series stuff and since Kaase released those Boss 9 heads it has me thinking. Do I really want to run a hard to replace OE 427 and just run the easily replaced 460 stuff? I guess the real question is what is that OE stuff REALLY worth? I think its nuts some of those prices and knowing that I'd be sick if I somehow holed the OE block. lately I have been thinking of selling it and let somebody else have at it. Any thoughts?

[joyridin']

yeah...read this post and contact this member.

Thoughts on this Side Oiler for sale ?

[RodKnock]

I'd direct you to the FE forum and research the price over there: FordFE.com Classifieds

Just my opinion, but it's a service block, so I wouldn't be worrying about putting a hole in it. And recently another member was considering the 390/427/428 versus new FE dilemma, since there's a company making new iron sideoiler blocks for $3,600. So there's a % of the FE buying population like me who would rather have a new aftermarket block for a reasonable price than potentially an old POS:

Bear Block Motors |

[patrickt]

RodKnock's right. This is not high stakes margin trading. It's just a couple of grand -- if you like the idea of having the FE in there, go for it. If not, sell it to someone who really wants it.

[RodKnock]

Here's an NOS 1972 service sideoiler short block for $7,000:

FordFE.com Classifieds: NOS 427 S.O. Shortblock

[Bernica]

All the guys above have said it. I have seen "NOS" service blocks lately for between $3k and $5k, sometimes less. For that price range I would consider a modern block. Fresh, not already .30 over and modern tech put to it.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'd direct you to the FE forum and research the price over there: FordFE.com Classifieds

Just my opinion, but it's a service block, so I wouldn't be worrying about putting a hole in it. And recently another member was considering the 390/427/428 versus new FE dilemma, since there's a company making new iron sideoiler blocks for $3,600. So there's a % of the FE buying population like me who would rather have a new aftermarket block for a reasonable price than potentially an old POS:

Bear Block Motors |

And what part of the "OUT OF STOCK" message for both the alloy and iron blocks did you miss? Pretty common business for the small volume aftermarket...we have the best product in the world, you just can't buy it!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

And what part of the "OUT OF STOCK" message for both the alloy and iron blocks did you miss? Pretty common business for the small volume aftermarket...we have the best product in the world, you just can't buy it!

Like the OP is in a hurry? Come on.

The blocks are out of stock FOREVER?

You're better than that no? Do you think they stopped making new FE blocks forever? Did Bid Bear and Pond go out of business. Maybe I missed that message somewhere. A previous thread here on CC said they'll be available in about 60 days. Has anyone waited for an auto part in the history of autos?

Waste of Internet space.

[390fetruck]

Thanks for all the great comments and all in one day!! I think every one of you has touched on a reason why I am on the fence about this!! Now that the project has finally started the parts availability has exploded for the FE, and I have already changed course several times. Good grief we have gone from almost zero to a kid in a candy store in a matter of 10 years. I think my real issue is not the money, it's the potential of destroying a piece of history that to me belongs in someones street driven garage kept never raced on Sunday pride and joy, and they can say it's got a real OEM 427 in it. From an economics standpoint there is no reason not to run it, these things ran hard in race cars for years and did great, and aftermarket stuff is out there to replace it should the unfortunate happen. Now this economics issue brings me to a question. Why mess with an FE when there is so much 385 stuff out there for less money? I mean if you are starting out from scratch and want a race oriented block you can get an A460 Motorsport Racing Block shipped out 7/13 $2,829.99. That's a start for a 600 inch engine for less money than a BBM that takes some mods to get to 520. The guts all cost about the same no matter what size FE or 385. That's more bang for your buck shipped right to your door. Free shipping and no back order. And some real kick but cylinder heads too. So what gives?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 390fetruck

Why mess with an FE when there is so much 385 stuff out there for less money?

So what gives?

What's your project? If you're going to build a 427 Cobra, then there's some of us here (me) that think you should install the FE, which is what the original Cobra came with back in the mid-1960's.

Once you're "off the reservation" (no disrespect to Native Americans), then I personally don't care if there's a Viper V10 in it. Honestly, once you've decided to not use an FE, and budget and HP become overriding factors, then the LS series of engines from Chevy make the most sense by far. Parts availability, cheap HP, run cleaner with the fuel injection, etc. etc.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 390fetruck

... my real issue is not the money,

That's funny. I have a running joke with my staff that any time someone says "it's not about the money" then, invariably, it's definitely about the money.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

That's funny. I have a running joke with my staff that any time someone says "it's not about the money" then, invariably, it's definitely about the money.

It's also about respect, which also means it's about the money.

[Bernica]

I agree with Rodnock on this one. If you go over the line, then knock yourself out and do whatever. If you are trying to be somewhat period correct, then the FE.

I will try to clean this up best I can...Something said by someone many years ago....

"Money?...You can't eat it...you can't f**k it...and you can't take it with you"

[mickmate]

If you're putting it in a Cobra think hard about the space requirements. I have seen frame rails chopped into to fit a 460 where the FE swims in there. The FE is a very dimension-ally compact engine which is how a big block finished up in such a little car. If it's an H or a G it might be worth something to someone with a period car but I doubt it.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Bernica

I will try to clean this up best I can...Something said by someone many years ago....

"Money?...You can't eat it...you can't f**k it...and you can't take it with you"

Perhaps... But you can use it to buy food, hookers and meds to help improve quality of your newly prolonged life.

I'm with patty's office, invariably and sadly, it's always about the money.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Perhaps... But you can use it to buy food, hookers and meds to help improve quality of your newly prolonged life.

All the Doritos, condoms and Viagra in the world aren't going to buy you happiness Dimis.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Dimis

I'm with patty's office, invariably and sadly, it's always about the money.

Who said Patrick was talking about his office staff? I'm assuming he's talking about his butler, maid, nanny, Ellie's dog walker and the chef at home.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

All the Doritos, condoms and Viagra in the world aren't going to buy you happiness Dimis.

Agreed. But who said anything about happiness?
That doesn't cost a dime.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Agreed. But who said anything about happiness?
That doesn't cost a dime.

Yup. Some of my wife and mine's best memories were when we were flat broke and were scrounging to make rent, probably more than once.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Like the OP is in a hurry? Come on.

The blocks are out of stock FOREVER?

You're better than that no? Do you think they stopped making new FE blocks forever? Did Bid Bear and Pond go out of business. Maybe I missed that message somewhere. A previous thread here on CC said they'll be available in about 60 days. Has anyone waited for an auto part in the history of autos?

Waste of Internet space.

Boy,

We are touchy today or what? Point is that you can't currently purchase these blocks. In 30 days? Perhaps. In six months? Maybe. Never? Very possible. My point was that many small volume producers do not stock inventory and often only produce when they have sufficient orders to make/pay for production possible. I have no idea of the OP's schedule or time expectations and I suspect no one other than the OP does.

I recently tried to purchase a small block "COBRA" intake. None of the dealers that carry it had one in stock. Several told me that supply was hit and miss and they had no idea when the manufacturer might make more. Again, I understand the business model of these small volume, specialty businesses. You might catch them on the day they have some.....or maybe not. The point is don't plan your entire project around a piece that you may or may not be able to source.

And thanks for the heads up, I was not aware that the Internet was running out of space. Perhaps we all need to be allocated a given amount of posting capacity to save room for cat videos and other high value posts.