428 Cobra Jet

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Jul 16, 2006 | 12:11 AM

FirstTry

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From: Salmon Arm

428 Cobra Jet

Just a general question about these motors. what is a 428 CJ worth. it doesnt run, but you have teh numbers to prove that it is a 428 CJ. a complete block was pulled out of a car and now sits under a tarp in a guys yard. i just found out about this motor. the guys yard is a junkyard of sorts. rea bad looking. hes got two 70's era ford crewcabs in varying states of being taken apart. i was just curious what these motors are worth if you find one. thank you.

Jul 16, 2006 | 06:11 AM

RapidRuss

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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Well just a ballpark figure from what I see parts selling for...

Block-standard bore= $800 to $1200
Crank- Standard Dia. to 10/10= $350 to $500
C8 heads= $350 to $500

So if you can offer him $1000 for the motor..and its rebuildable you'll be ahead of the game as you can see.... JMO..

Russ

Jul 16, 2006 | 06:53 AM

FFR428

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From: CT

Check this site to verify part numbers. If I had a dollar for every 390 that was supposed to be a 428CJ.... www.428cobrajet.org click on component id then each part you'll want to view. The site lists and shows all the correct parts and numbers. The block should have the sandscratch "C" on the back and i'd remove the pan to check the crank numbers. Russ pretty much nailed the prices tho I've seen the heads go to $800-1000 per set depending on the date code and how bad someone wants them. See if he has the exhaust mainfolds too...they are worth a few bucks. Good luck.

G.

Jul 16, 2006 | 12:10 PM

baddad457

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From: south louisiana

Just at a glance, the easiest way to ID one is the heads and intake. The intake has large, fat runners compared to other std. FE intakes. and the heads have 16 exhaust bolt holes. The first O.E. blocks also have a C8ME-A casting number. The later service blocks don't. The true test though is the internal dimensions and details.

Jul 16, 2006 | 01:29 PM

FFR428

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From: CT

Not to disagree but the first oem CJ blocks have been found to have a C7AE-A casting number. There was a recent disscussion on the forum site i listed above. Guy has a May 67 date code CJ block with the "C" on the back. Everyone seemed to agree it was indeed a early CJ block.

G.

Jul 16, 2006 | 02:46 PM

baddad457

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From: south louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFR428

You're probably right, the few books I have list the one C8ME-A number, and I've not seen any first hand. I've seen more 427 blocks than CJ blocks. But a lot of other FE blocks have the same features as the CJ's, just smaller bores. Am I right in that the webbing for the mains is the distingiushing feature that set the CJ apart from the std 428 block? If so then I have a 64 390 block from a T-bird that also has that. Bore cores are thick enough (according to the drill bit test) to bore it no farther than std 428 size. That would make it the equal of a CJ block, but not an actual CJ block.

Jul 16, 2006 | 03:04 PM

FFR428

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From: CT

Sorry it was a July 6 67 date code not May. Like you i've seen the C8ME-A blocks listed as the only CJ block also. As i understand yes the triple webbing or crow's feet as it's known does distinguish the CJ blocks from the std web 428 blocks. Also the cranksaddle area is beefier than the std blocks. There has also been some "A" blocks found in some early CJ cars. And also some "A" blocks found with the HD webbing. I have a 63 406 block with the same HD crank webbing and HD cranksaddle area. It also has the crossbolt bosses cast in. I've heard of quite a few 64 390 blocks that have 406 cyl wall cores. And some 64 406 service blocks that have 427 wall cores. The 406 block i have is a oddball having 427 wall cores on the left side and std 406 cores on the right. i was pretty excited when I dit the drill bit test on the left side only to find the right side with std 406 wall cores. LOL. So yes I'd say your 390 block is equal to the CJ blocks. Does it have the crossbolt bosses cast into the block? Either way sounds like a nice block you have there.

G.