Why no mention of a ford 427?

[VinceGledhill]

With all this about engines etc in the other thread on here, I've been wondering.

Why is there all this talk of 350 / 351 /302 etc... I understand this is the engine size in cubic inches but why has no-one got a 427 in their cars?

Sorry if I'm being an ignorant dipstick and have been wandering around with my head in a bucket, but I was just wondering?

Are they hard to come by... expensive?? what??

Regards
Vince@gledhill.info

[normanh]

dipstick, havent heard that in a while.....

I beleive the sumo can only fit small block engines, so limiting to 350ish, dont know about other models, sure each person in the know will post as well! The chevy 350 in mine was a VERY tight squeeze

Norm.

[wilf]

Vince - you mustn't speak of the Holy Grail without falling to the ground muttering "We're not worthy".

The 427SO is a very rare and expensive engine, has problems in reconditioning because the original bores were out to the limits of the casting. It was an engine pushed to the limits of it's block during the displacement/horsepower wars in the USA during the '60's.

I searched for an affordable one for a long time before settling for a stroker small block (which at 408 cu ins, ain't that far away after all). The best I could turn up was $12,000 - not a price I could afford for an engine which was unseen, unkown, and going to be "interesting".

Many folks fit "big block" ford 428/460's and chevvies (spit) in their cars, but they are a very tight fit, and often bring cooling problems in their wake. Overall, from here in the UK, the small block engines are better understood and easier to get parts for. Plus, big blocks have a penalty - weight. OK for nice straight US roads, a problem for us narrow and twisty types.
As ever, up to the individual to choose.

Wilf

[Bowtie]

Follow this link:

http://www.erareplicas.com/dansliski/dan1.htm

Don't miss "Part 8: Soul Searching" if you want information about the 427SO, what it is and what it takes to get one...

No wonder Ford-guys like Wilf is dreaming wet dreams about stuff like that }>

/ Bowtie

[VinceGledhill]

Thanks for that guys. That's food for thought. I've had a quick click on that website you gave me, but it's late and I'm a bit gassed (it is Friday night after all)

I hope I can remember to check it out in the morning.

Cheers again, looks like the 427 is a bit of a holy grail then. Now I understand. Well I've not started aligning things yet. Nothing to fuddle the brain except the beer.

vince@home-brew.org
www.home-brew.org

Regards
Vince@gledhill.info

[Andy Barwick]

Vince - you can build a budget "427 look alike" using a Ford 390 and all the 427 dress up parts, a 428 will cost a little more. With a set of edelbrock ally heads you can bring the weight down somewhat, and still produce an easy 400 HP. With the 427's the pricey part is the block, for most other components you can go aftermarket, and its very difficult to differentiate between a well dressed 428 / 390 and a 427.

I bought a 390 with the intention of buikding a big block Crendon, and at the last minute decided I would like a MKII copy instead

Andy