So i bought a 428 block off ebay for $850,appears to be genuine,had all of the machine work done,talked to the guy he seems really knowledgeable.It does not have the heavy webbing,what would be the negatives of this type of block,if any,on a roughly 400 hp 1500-4000 rpm operating range and winding it up to about 6000 down the strip once in a while.For additional info on the plans see my other posts

 

What is the Ebay number?

 

ebay#150343273782

 

Better have that block checked once you get it... that "A" on the rear of the block was faked.

The "A" or "C" markings on the back of the block are actually made by scratching into the sand mold prior to pouring. The block on Ebay has been obviously welded to create an "A".

So the concern is if this is indeed a 390 block, how much was it bored? What are the ramifications of trying to return the block?

The Ebay User does have a good reputation however, so who knows.

Josh

 

Well,I have done alot of research into these blocks and have learned 1 thing,that it very difficult to tell a 428 from any different block.It is tough to tell from the pic if it has been welded or scratched but it does look like other "a"'s that I have seen.He also claims that 428 is cast where the freeze out plug is as far a I know that is unique to 428's.I talked to the guy on the phone but that doesn't mean much,and it also seems that if you didn't actually see it come out of a car for the first time then you can never really know except for the extra webbing.As for the 390/428 no one has ever told me why you can't bore a 390 to a 428(4.13 bore)and then bore that .060 over.The guy swears it's a 428 and all of the markers are good,like I pointed out what about the 428 in the water jacket

 

A 390 is 4.05 bore and has too thin cylinder walls to bore to 4.13. I have seen a guy do this and have tried it myself and both times cracked cylinders. The only way to know thickness of cylinders is have the block sonic tested. If a 390 is bored out it will probably have less than .100 thickness in the cylinders in places which is too thin. Isn't there a C6ME or some number on it? I have a sheet with casting #'s on it to match it up to.

 

I am just saying be cautious. The "A" was most definately added at a later time and not original. I am only trying to look out for you as I have personally seen well over 50 428 blocks and know what a sand scratch and what a welded letter looks like. A lot of phonies out there.

But like I pointed out the seller has a good rep so that helps.

It's true a 428 block will have the "428" in the middle freeze plug. But it never hurts to have it sonic tested.

As for 390 blocks going .080 over to 4.13 it's possible. About 1 out of 15 blocks will go to 4.13, especially the reverse 105 blocks which are likely 1 out of every 8 blocks that will do it. Sonic testing will prove/ disprove everything.

Josh

 

Most of the guys on here seem very knowledgeable,and only being on this board a short while and being a mechanic for 20 years I can see who knows and who doesn't.I appreciate all input and take it all very seriously and really do appreciate guys taking the time to take the inititative to help me out.I am a pretty good mechanic but this is a little out of my area of expertise.So,here is what I have.It is a C7ME-A and the guy gave me the date of manutacture which I believe is April 1968,he also says that the 428 is cast into the water jacket,I askled him if the cyl's are 4.160,he said they were(bored .030 over)I have the equipment to sonic test a block here at my shop as well as I am going to have the machine shop sonic check the block.The shop I am using,Philadelphia Racing,came highly reccomended by perogie enterprises and after discussing the new block the machinest there told me that he would know right away if it was a 390.So...the plot thickens,lol,any input is greatly appreciated and I'll keep you informed

 

Sonic testing would solve your problem. I have seen the 390s that were bored for a 428 split the cylinder.

 

According to my papers C7ME-A is a 67-70 428 block. I think you got what you wanted. I have the original block out of my 66 gt fairlane (390) with the number C6ME on it. According to my papers that is a 428 code. 390 is C6ME-A. All I am saying is I'm not sure that maybe my block is a 4.13 bore capable block just originally punched to 4.05 from the factory. I dont know why I went there, but good luck with your 428!!

 

Casting codes on FE blocks are meaningless.

And don't quote John Christ's books either.

Josh

 

Hey bullit you seem to know a lot more on fe's than most. Why are the codes meaningless? Everyone I've come across has been right so far except my 390 I mentioned. I was going to sonic test it to see how thick it was. Just curious if there is a proven reason you are saying this.

 

That ebay seller said that the "A" was welded on. Granted I haven't seen all 428 blocks, but the ones I have seen the letters were cast in.

The seller may not know it's fake out of willful ignorance, but I'm real suspicious of this block.

The casting numbers even look odd. Like they've been fudged in or something. Another thing that looks odd. If this thing has been decked, why are there gasket line ghosts? Or am I seeing sleeves? Why are SOME of the pics bad?

Can you get the guy to caliper the bore for you and take a pic? If it's at 4.16 there's a high probability that it is a 428 block.

Welcome to the world of Fords!

By the way 400hp and 6000rpm isn't that stressful. Almost anything will survive at those numbers with good prep.

You're only pushing it with the small block Ford.

 

It's never easy with me,I talked to the guy and he said that the bores are 4.160.He said that he has been building fe's for 30 years and is liquidating alot of his stuff due to space.He seemed knowledgeable but,it's ebay,who knows.The numbers all match up with what I have in my book(Ford Engine Parts Interchange) and he also said that "428"is cast into the water jacket.I talked to the guy who will do the machine work and he said he has never seen a block that was cast with the 428 in the jacket that wasn't.When you think about it this would be quite an elaborate ruse for 850 bucks.Having tampered with the #'s welding the "a" on and so on.You always have to take a chance on ebay with what you are buying but there would be recourses if it was an out and out forgery.Why cash in on this block only to never sell again with his profile?What would be the motive?I also informed him that was a crippled NYC firefighter as a result of being run over by a tractor trailer while riding my harley on the interstate.I know that people are not angels but everything except the welded a matches up.The bore,the 428 in the water jacket,the C7ME-A,If it is a 390 why not just sell it as a 390?He would get 300 or 400 bucks for a block in good shape.But,the proof is in the pudding and I will find out in about a week and you guys will be the first to find out,like I said,it's never easy with me,there is always alot of white knuckle excitement.Just as a note,who knows with the '"a" maybe the guy for got on a firday aftenoon and the block couldn't leave without the marking so they got the welder to weld an "a" on the block

 

Lol. It's probably a 428 after all the paraonoia.