428FE Thin Cylinder Walls ?

[427HISS]

Why does the 428FE have thin cylinder walls compared to the 390FE ?
I see that the 390 stroker, 445, is very popular. I don't know if I would want a 390 in my 427 Cobra replica, just because the 428 & 427 were used (I know,...I know) but, it sounds like a .030 overbore is the max it can go because of the thinner walls. It's also easier to find and may,....be a better choice ?

My first engine was a mild built 428 and liked it, but for my new engine I'm trying,.....to consider other choices, like
the newer Shelby FE, Side Oilers, 428, 390 and even the 8k 514 crate (sorry, just saying because of cost, but doubt it) 

Anyway, why are they so thin ?

[Gregwill16]

It obviously depends on the block due to core shift but .030 over max on a 428 block is a myth in my opinion. That is a good rule of thumb for 427 blocks but there are many 428's out there over .030 with many at .060 over bore. I would recommend a sonic check on any FE block that is over bored if you plan on beating on it.

[BH107]

The A scratch blocks seem to be a little thinner than the C scratch blocks. Then again I've seen 406 blocks that would be thin (under 0.100") at 0.015" over because of core shift.

FE's in general were a thin wall casting to save on weight and use less material. Core shift just makes it worse, and back in the day everyone just started at 0.030" over and made some blocks unusable for a future rebuild.

[427HISS]

What is core shift ?

Who & how can we trust to get a good 428 block,  engine builders that have sonic checked their's ?

Does the 390 have any advantages over the 428 ?

[Gregwill16]

Core shift is when the block was off center of the mold when it was cast. Hopefully more experienced guys will chime in but I was taught to look at the cam tunnel in the front to see if it is fairly close to centered.
There is no replacement for displacement! In my opinion the only advantages a 390 has over a 428 is price and availability. But on the same note I think the best bang for your buck if you don't need the 428 to be correct, is to find a good thick 390 block and stroke it and have fun.

[427HISS]

Off center !   
Wow, never heard of that. Are their any that are so bad that it should not be used or are most ok with proper machining ?

[e philpott]

Off center !   
Wow, never heard of that. Are their any that are so bad that it should not be used or are most ok with proper machining ?

that is why they must be sonic tested for wall thickness before you do any kind of serious build , it's close to the very first step right behind visual inspection

[Gregwill16]

It's basically what allows some blocks to be bored more than others and yes there is some that are close to the .100 minimum wall thickness at standard bore.

[edgarval]

Do the 428 blocks come with side bolts on the block that hold the main caps together ?

[e philpott]

Do the 428 blocks come with side bolts on the block that hold the main caps together ?

no , they do not..... only 427 blocks have cross bolt main caps from the factory ...... but you can have cross bolt main caps installed on most blocks , some blocks are easier to install cross bolt caps than others

[Gregwill16]

No, just the 427 and a very few 406 blocks came with crossbolted mains.

[edgarval]

How much power can the fe blocks handle without the cross bolts ?

[jayb]

I wouldn't push them much past 600 without crossbolts or a girdle.  And I can't say I've ever run one of the girdles so I don't know how effective they are.  Pro-Gram Engineering makes crossbolt caps that can be fitted to 390 and 428 blocks to allow them to handle more HP.

[fekbmax]

Tim with concept design makes a really nice girdle for the FE. it comes with everything you need as a complete kit. main studs, longer oil pump shaft ect. I think its a great alternative to cross bolting for the guy just wanting to build a good stout bottom end without the cost of the caps and machine work. it certainly cant hurt.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-FE-Deluxe-Main-Girdle-352-360-390-406-410-427-428-Cobra-Jet-cammer-shelby-/262493374126?hash=item3d1dd306ae:g:1JEAAOxyVLNS-vx7&vxp=mtr

[edgarval]

Barry . Do you have an est. in how much your blocks will be ? I want to stay with a fe block to run a fast e.t will bbm come out with cast iron blocks next year