Hey guys.....

I found a pair of Torino's. One is a 428 Ram Air Cobra and the other is a 68 390 GT Torino.

The Cobra doesn't have the original engine, but the guy said he has a couple 428 blocks to put together. Unfortunately, the heads and exhaust manifolds are missing. What can I do to turn a plain 428 into a Cobra Jet? Is it just in the heads and cam?

Let me know what you think!

 

Heads, intake, etc....the CJ block had the HD webbing. If one of the blocks he has is a service block it would have the HD webbing. Worth a look see. The GT car is desireable too.

 

I find that any 67-69 Ford passenger car sporting the FE is desireable.

--Mike

 

Does the service block have the webbing on the sides? Is this a very desirable block to build? Also, would I have to drop the compression to run on pump gas? Wasn't the CJ running 10.6 to 11.0 CR? If so, would I still get away with 10.6 pistons on pump gas? Would it be best to run a roller cam in the 428?

I'll try and get out there to look at the 428. If it's a webbed block, you bet I'll be all over it. I'd like to build a 428 and put it back in the Cobra.

Would it be okay to run the other 428 block in the GT or is it better to have a 390 GT motor in it?

Sorry for so many questions. Thanks!

 

Yes the 70's era service blocks can have the vertical ribs on the outside. They are the same EXACT block as the CJ. Even the std web 428 blocks are great to build. So don't let that stop you either. The CJ had 10.6:1 comp ratio. I'm not a numbers resto guy so I say run whatever you like. If the GT car has the original 390 just keep it to the side in the garage and build the 428. At least you'd have the original engine for it if you ever wanted to sell.

 

He doesn't have the original 390 for it. Could I build a 428 CJ Torino GT? It was an option in late 68. It's a original 390 S code Torino. I like to keep cars original, but I like to add factory options to make them more valuable and desirable.

Also, the Cobra and GT are column shift C6 autos with bench seats. Both still have the original trans and rearends. The Cobra is a real 428 CJ Ram Air car, according to the VIN. When I read it and saw the 'R', I knew it was for real. The GT is kind of unique because it has a very low serial number. It was like the 3000th Torino built. It's because of this I want to restore it.

Is it true the 428 CJ was actually rated at 410 horses and over 500# torque? Could I build up both blocks to make far more than that?

Thanks

 

The CJ was rated at 335hp but more like 370hp as spec'd by NHRA. 440 ft lbs tq. This is with the stock cam and exhaust mani's. You can easliy uncork 400+. I beleive the CJ option came out in April 68. The Talledega's were bench seat colum shift C6 too. Sounds like a nice pair of cars.

 

That's only correct IF only one assembly plant built a particular vehicle. More than one plant was used to built these cars.

The serial number only reflects the number built at the particular assembly plant the car was built at, not the total overall production.

Look on the Warranty Plate for the actual build date.

You can get a copy of the original Ford build sheet for a fee from: martiauto.com

I can decode the VIN, and all the codes found on the Warranty Plate.

 

Does a 390 also have the vertical ribs on the outside?

 

It can....but so can most other bore blocks too. The ribs came into play in 68 on some blocks and was used from then on for most. There are some blocks cast thru the 70's without them too. Some also have no casting number both service and production.

 

Is it considered a better block if it has them?

 

Yea, you can run 10.6 to 1 on pump gas, just not 87-89 octane. Cam choice has a lot to do with it too. So does ignition timing. Should be no problem running 93 octane, even with the stock CJ/GT cam. I ran my 68 Merc's 390 on 93 with the stock 2 bbl cam and 10.5 to 1. After the overhaul, it was fine with 89 and a Crane 272 Energizer cam, 1/4 point less compression (head gasket change from .020 shims to .042 Felpro Permatorque Blues) and 12 degrees initial timing.

 

Personally I think not. Some say they were used to add strength. Some say to reinforce the aging molds. I beleive it was to support the molds. There are some later truck blocks cast without the ribs. These must have been some new molds that were in desperate need to replace old tired ones. If the ribs added significant strength I'd think they would have been added to those later block molds. It's inside the block that counts to me. The HD blocks have the stronger crank saddle area and increased webbing. Either of the std or HD blocks are fine for most builds. It's when you venture to the high hp builds you need a solid block with the bottom end crossbolted.

 

NumberDummy, here are the VIN's for both.

The Cobra: 9K46R137728

63E Z CA 17K 74 A U

The GT: 8K42S103938

63D R 8U 12J 42 7 U

Have fun with these codes!

 

The Cobra: 9K46R137728 / 63E Z CA 17K 74 A U

9 = 1969

K = Kansas City Assembly Plant

46 = Torino Cobra 2 door HT Fastback

R = 428 4V Cobra Jet-Hydraulic Lifters

137728 -Numerical Sequence of Assembly-Kansas City Plant

63E = Torino Cobra 2 Door HT Fastback

Z = Dark Gray Metallic

CA = Charcoal Black Corinthian Vinyl & Charcoal Black Kiwi Vinyl

17K = October 17, 1968

74 = Seattle WA Ford District Sales Zone (where dealer placed order)

A = Ford 9 Inch / 3.50-1 / Non Limited Slip

U = C6 Automatic (XPL)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The GT: 8K42S103938 63D R 8U 12J 42 7 U

8 = 1968

K = Kansas City Assembly Plant

42 = Torino GT 2 Door Hardtop Fastback

S = 390 4V

103938 = Numerical Sequence of Assembly-Kansas City Plant

63D = Torino GT 2 Door Hardtop Fastback

R = Dark Green Metallic

8U = Pastel Parchment Crinkle Vinyl & Pastel Parchment Kiwi Pattern Vinyl

12J = September 12, 1967

42 = Fargo ND Ford District Sales Zone (where dealer placed order)

7 = Ford 9 Inch / 3.25-1 / Non Limited Slip

U = C6 Automatic (XPL)

Are you certain of the Z color code on the 1969? The Z code in 1969 is listed as a T-Bird color. (2 = Light Ivy Yellow).