Club Cobra - Basic engine questions

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Basic engine questions

I'm having some trouble here with what engines will fit under the stock hood of either an ERA or Unique. According to Mustangs and More .com a FE measures 32"L x 27"W x 29"H. A 460 measures 34"L x 27"W x 29"H . A Cleveland is 29"L x 25.5"W x 28.5"H . I cannot verify the FE or Cleveland but according to the Ford SVO catalog 2002 that is correct for the 460. Now I have been told by both Unique and ERA that a 460 will not have enough ground or hood clearance. So I thought about the Cleveland but ERA says hood clearance is a minimum with a high rise intake. DO NOT get me wrong I am not doubting the folks at these two companies. I am just having a hard time understanding how a FE High Riser or Tunnel Port can fit but a 460 or Cleveland won't. The 351W has basically the same dimensions as the Cleveland. Now can I run a Victor intake on a Windsor and still clear the stock hood ? I cannot afford and really don't want a FE. I've done enough Windsor motors. I want something new. I don't mind a LITTLE bit larger hood scoop ( not some god awful Boss 429 type thing ) but I don't want to sacrifice ground clearance. I need to get all the info I can so I can make an informed decision.

There are many variables for engine fit in different frames. My 460 is wide and will interfear with the frame on some kits. One thing for sure is to either cut a stock oil pan down to 7" deep or get an aftermarket one only 7" deep,doesn't matter if it's big or small block, 7" is the limit. [one day you'll thank me for that tip] Same thing with an intake manifold, get one that is short to start with or be ready to rivit on a larger scoop. You can mock up an engine out of cardboard or buy a junkyard wreck engine for $50 ; from oil pan to carb and air filter and trial fit it in the frame/body before you spend big bucks for an engine. Good Luck,
Perry.

F.R.

I don't know how they're measuring engine length, but I measure the FEs we've got here at 30" from block face to the nose of the (stock) water pump. Maybe your numbers include the flywheel.**)

At any rate, with an FE we've got about 1.75" clearance between the water pump and the front chassis vertical "X". At a minimum, I'd prefer 1/2" clearance to install alternator belts with the 460, which has been installed in our cars a couple of times.

Ground clearance should be fine if you can find an oil pan that's 9" from the crank centerline to the bottom of the pan. The reason I'm not giving an actual pan depth is that I don't know how much the 460 block extends down from the centerline, if at all.

Thanks a lot that clears up a lot.