Finding a good short block

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Nov 27, 2000 | 04:17 PM

mhyff250

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Joined: May 2000

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Finding a good short block

Hello everyone~

I am looking for a good 428 short block. Where can I find one that has been rebuilt or has all new parts? I have a pair of 428 CJ heads and intake on my 390 right now, but the lower end of the engine is going out. So, I thought I would just build a good 428 reusing the using the upperside CJ parts. I am going to put a roller cam in the engine, so if I could just get a hold of a rotating assembly and a block, that is fine as well. I have seen a stroker kit for the 428, to make it a 448. What is the general feeling towards stroked FE engines? Good or bad?

~Ryan

Nov 29, 2000 | 05:15 PM

dinosaurfan

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Joined: Aug 2000

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From: SW Michigan

Finding a good short block

Stroker FEs are wonderful, plenty of power at lower rpms, just what a truck likes. Unless you have hi-riser or tunnel-port heads, 6250 is max rpm, everything else is running out of breath. Don't choose too small a cam. A big block with a stroker crank can use bigger than you might think.If I were buying a new cam I would use the biggest hydralic roller that Crane makes. As for a block and crank you may be hunting for awhile, and it won't be priced reasonably either. Many collectors are looking for these for restorations and they have bought up most of them already. Again if I were looking I'd consider trying to get an easily available FT block and boring it 080 over, the blocks are thick enough to handle it. For a crank how about offset grinding a 390 or 391 crank to 4.00 with 2.200 rod journals, use Lunati ProMod rods, 6.536 long. You will have to mill the big ends of the rods down to ford width and rebush the small end for .975 pins. Check deck hieght, the piston tops may need a little milling. Yes this all takes some work and some extra cash, but gives about 100 ft-lbs extra torque all across the range. If you manage to find a factory 428 crank you may be able to offset grind that for even more stroke. Enjoy! DF

Nov 30, 2000 | 08:27 AM

chilly460

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Joined: Jan 2000

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Finding a good short block

I just wanted to comment on cam selection, an old rule of thumb is that for every 50ci increase, you can use 5-7 more degrees of duration and still have the same torque curve as the smaller cam in the smaller motor. Example: read a 557ci buildup that used a 250 duration cam at .050", torque peaked at 3900rpm, try that with a small block.

Nov 30, 2000 | 04:01 PM

buzzard

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Joined: Oct 2000

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From: All over Texas

Finding a good short block

Keep your eyes peeled at EBay. There are a couple 428 on there right now. Maybe not the most practical way to buy an engine, but a good reference nonetheless.

Nov 30, 2000 | 09:54 PM

crowbird

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Joined: Nov 2000

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Finding a good short block

I met a guy at the National Ford at Xenia Ohio that machines Ford blocks and heads and sells them at the swap meets up there. I don't have his number handy but will post it soon as I get back.