67 428 engine

[jtgb428]

i own a 69 cougar and want to step up to a big block.i cant afford a cj engine but have come across a good running 428 out of a t bird.whats the scoop on this version of the 428 is it a good performance engine,i know there are big differences between the cj and the t bird 428 but is this plain jane 428 a strong engine and a good performer.thanks, jim gorman.

[R-WEST]

There's some good reading at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_FE_engine regarding the differences between the standard 428 and the CJ/SCJ versions. Or, google "ford 428 cj" and read for a while.

Unless you're planning some real high-rpm work, which any 428 isn't suited for anyway, it should work well for you. And, they're getting harder and harder to find. A torque monster, for sure.

My Dad had a '69 Torino Cobra with 428 CJ. When the engine went south at around 100K (back then, 100K was a LOT of miles!!), they stuck a standard 428 in there and it worked just fine. Probably down 40-50 peak HP to the CJ, but, unless you're cranking on it all the time, it's not that noticeable because most 'normal' vehicles spend their lives far below MAX RPM. A CJ, or other mild cam (the old Crane "Fireball" was a good one), some intake/exhaust work to let it breathe, and you'd be hard pressed to tell 'em apart in real world conditions.

[2020]

A good rebuild with forged pistons,set of the Edelbrock heads,a mild cam,quality alum. intake and you've got more than a stock CJ.The 428 is a great street engine.

[Mike G]

First off, welcome aboard.

Second, why not punch out a small block to the big displacement, you will save weight and still be able to change the plugs without problem.... Dont forget that with going to the FE engine, you will need to swap out motor mounts, exhaust, and tranny too.
--Mike

[2020]

MikeG,you're right a 351W stroker with probably the same investment will perform as good and be lighter(a lot).A big ol' FE though is an awesome engine.