Club Cobra - Reviving 1765

Club Cobra (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/)

- Superformance (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/superformance/)

- - Reviving 1765 (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/superformance/138678-reviving-1765-a.html)

I am the only owner of the car and I have had it with some of the engine problems.
I got a 428 and had it built at Orange engine in California. Iron block and heads. Dyno 400 hp and 500 tq.
It ran hot. 1000 miles, blew right head gasket, 2000 miles blew left head gasket, 5000 miles cracked a piston (probably due to the last head gasket). 7000 miles blew right head gasket (different cylinder) on track.

Frustration has parked it a few times. This time out comes the engine. Sonic test confirms the block needs to become a boat anchor.

My preference was to go to a iron block 427 with alloy heads. My builder could not find an iron block. We are in line for a alloy block. I am hoping for a reliable engine, but some of the posts on here, by guys who know there stuff have me concerned about the alloy block.

I was not picking it for bling or bragging rights. I just wanted new parts, reliable, pump gas.

It will get to the track a couple times a year but just for fun not competition.

I guess i am just looking for input and licking my wounds with other superformance owners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bars (Post 1424581)

Sonic test confirms the block needs to become a boat anchor.

I assume this means the cylinder walls are too thin?
Is this the reason it was running too hot?
Did someone bore a 390 or 352 block too far and call it a 428?

Not asking to publicly pound on the builder, but if something like this happened then do not use that builder again.

Definitely something was wrong, but it could be a radiator or ducting or fan issue and not an engine issue. If this is the problem you will roast the new engine too.

I am not using the same builder. So sir-e-bob.

After I repaired head gasket #1, the overheating went away. So I thought I was done....not to be. After that it only overheated when a gasket blew.

The block is to thin. It was a defiantly a 428, cast in 66. 40 over.

I spent the weekend reading all the FE and superformance forums for info and incite. The new alloy block is a pond