428 industrial block

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Nov 3, 2003 | 04:54 PM

Jamey L. Hanis

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From: Prague, NE

428 industrial block

Is the block thickness of a 428 industrial block (irrigation use) the same as a 428 used in automobiles?

Nov 3, 2003 | 06:57 PM

66 Ranger

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From: Texas panhandle

We used to run 428 industrial engines on our irrigation wells. Every one that I ever dismantled had pistons that were marked 428 CJ on the bosses by the pins. They also had the big nut rods. As to the block thickness...I'm no machinist but I'm betting that these are the same blocks as a 428 CJ. We're going to stir up a hornets nest if we're not careful here. I ran these engines for years and still have several that I am saving for future projects. The block assemblies look like passenger car units with 361-391 (FT) heads, intakes, pans, flywheel and bell housings all bolted to them.
Where are you located? Not many guys here have heard of 428 irrigation engines. There were some 427s, too.

Nov 3, 2003 | 08:17 PM

muddmarine

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Jamey, you are good to go, with a few cautions. The cautions are; heads and intake are scrap iron. These babies where built to run on propane/butane. They sustianed a max rpm of about 2000/3000 rpm, pulling a water well of about 160-500 ft., with the specific gravity of water being 7.78 lbs...do the math..the 428 was the engine of choice. TORQUE is what thay have.....and plenty of it. Didnt use a small block chevy here. They wanted torque to move stuff.
Now for the goooooood stuff. Notice the funney looking ribs on the outside of the block running vertcal? Thats pure strenght, now take a look at the crank, should be a 1-UB, thats a 69' 428 SCJ crank. Now lets go to the rods, - D 427's. Pure power!
Ive got a "stroker" 427 stroked and used the industrial block block, 1-UB crank and TRW pistons for the wrist pin off set, 454 cu., (about).
What I'd suggest, get one and get a good FORD machine shop to work it up for you. The bow-tie crowd aint gonna help. Im running one in San Antonio Texas. I love bow-ties......they're crunchey when cooked rite. James

Nov 4, 2003 | 02:32 PM

Jamey L. Hanis

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From: Prague, NE

About four years ago I took my 390 in to have it built up by my machinists. Personally not knowing anything about Fords, my machinists suggested that I build a 410 cu. in. It actually turned out to be a little bit bigger because I had to bore the 390 .30. The 428 crank and rods were from an irrigation engine as was the very large flywheel. I bought the crank, rods, and flywheel for $150.00. I eventually had to have the flywheel machined down to fit a 184 tooth ringgear. This was necessary to get everything stuffed into a blow-proof bellhousing. Well, after four years of truck pulling, the engine is in need of new bearings and whatever else I find wrong. My machinists still has the 428 block that I got the rest of the parts from. The problem is the block is bored .60 and from what I've learned on this site this may be too much. I can buy the block for $50.00. I'm trying to determine if the industrial block will be strong enough to handle 6,000-7,000 rpm's without throwing a piston or pistons out of the side of the block. I will have to take my pan off and take a closer look at my rods and crank to see how they are stamped. I hope somebody has some good ideas because this is one of my last options before changing everything to a 429/460 combo. By the way, I'm located in Nebraska.

Nov 4, 2003 | 08:59 PM

muddmarine

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Jamey, James here. I didnt have room to get in the weeds last nite with what I posted. As far as the block taking 6000-7000 RPM no problem, the block is good to go. It aint turning, the bottem end is what you need to be concerned with.
Once agian, find a FORD machine shop! If you had.....what the FORD machinist would have told you is this (and saved racing bucks);
- 428 is dynamically balanced, therefore; the flywheel off of the irrigation engine has a fool proof, its too big! However, get a flywheel from FOMOCO for a 427/8 and have the thing balanced.
- I bought my flywheel for my 427/8 through FOMOCO for about $ 175 dollars and had it balanced. It has seen 6500..........remember what FORD promisted in the sixties, "Red Line 7000" from the show room.
Just my thoughts, and input.......been there and done that.