Identifing a 427 ?

Don · #1 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 09:27 PM

I will be attending the AACA Fall Hershey meet in October. During the past meets, there have been engines and engine blocks in the flea market, but I never made any inquiries on the offerings.

I do not have any experience with the 427, would appreciate any comments on how to correctly identify a 427. Anything to look at specifically for the 427 to make sure it is a legitimate period engine ?

.............thanks

flwolfman · #2 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 09:41 PM

I am a little rusty myself. It should have 427 cast into the block. Most if not all have screw in freeze plugs, look for cross bolted mains, and you can always look at date code cast into block. Side oilers have bulge on side where oil galleries are. Hope this helps. Someone else will jump in here with info. JIm

jdog · #3 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 10:22 PM

It should look something like this:

jdog
P.S. Check my photo gallery for a few more pic's.

Excaliber · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 12:10 AM

I wouldn't have a clue... (having taken enough heat lately).

Ernie (with an ice bag)

Clois Harlan · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 06:26 AM

There are other 427 blocks that do not have the screw in freeze plugs nor do they have the bulge along the driver side for the side oiler feature. Most of those 427 need to be identified by their serial numbers and date stamp. These are traditionally referred to as Center Oilers or Top Oilers. At one time or another I had a chance to look at several FE blocks from the 352, 360 (Truck), 390, 406, 410 (Mercury), 427 (top and side oilers) and the 428 (Std, CJ, & SCJ). Of all those engines the 406 w/ 3 x 2 intake sure looked like it would make a good hotrod engine. I think I have been told those engines are fairly rare these days.

Clois

blykins · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 06:43 AM

Another tidbit....the easiest way to tell a sideoiler from a centeroiler is the sideoiler will have a pipe plug on the driver's side front of the block....just to the right of the front cover (as you're looking at the front of the engine). Instead of crawling up under a car looking for cross humps and plugs, you can easily check that way.

Don · #7 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 10:46 AM

Thanks for the feedback, now to find a barn fresh original 427