another side oiler FS on BAT (not mine/don't know seller)

[hwoods]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/engine-100/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2025-04-09

[hwoods]

after looking at the pics closer, I don't think that is a side oiler?

[thatdarncat]

after looking at the pics closer, I don't think that is a side oiler?

Yeah, the block was cast with 427 Side Oiler patterns, but not machined as a Side Oiler, and in fact as can be seen in the pictures likely too much of the side oil “hump” on the side of the block was machined away to even try converting this one by having the oil passage drilled. You’d have to consult with an experienced machinist on that. It’s a good example to show the plugs for intersecting passages are not there either. Pretty easy to see it’s not a Side Oiler once you know what to look for. It was possibly sold originally as a marine engine.

A minor detail, but it has the wrong timing pointer too.

[hbstang]

cast as a sideoiler machined as center/top oiler.with brass screw in freeze  plugs its a marine block! buyer will be mad not a side oiler and ad should be corrected!

[pbf777]

cast as a sideoiler machined as center/top oiler.with brass screw in freeze  plugs its a marine block! buyer will be mad not a side oiler and ad should be corrected!

    +1! 

    Scott.

[RicMc]

Also the lower motor mount hole is drilled to low to clear the oil passage.

[428kidd]

Correct , we had this discussion a few days ago over on FB. Which is the new wild west of BS stories. People say these are cast as a sideoiler but not machined. That is sort of misleading as i dont think one could machine it to a sideoiler with that much of the galley gone. One guy said he worked at Dove and did a bunch simply by moving it more in board? I have always heard this area was removed for the oil cooler in some of the boats? It was also carried over in the industrial use i think as a cost saving measure by Ford . I know the lower bolt hole is moved to the standard location on these and not the sideoiler location. Can any one say if it was the oil cooler as to why they where this way? Agreed the ad needs to be turned in or flagged cause the buyer will be pissed .

[6667fan]

Lifter galleys not drilled. Like to know the casting date

[pbf777]

People say these are cast as a sideoiler but not machined.

   If we want a more descriptive statement: "Not machined" as a side-oiler but rather as a center-oiler as by Ford Motor Co originally.   

   And I've looked at the possibilities of rifle-drilling the (side) oil gallery in these, but I concluded it would prove somewhat questionable as to the success rate due to the placement accuracy in the distance of the drilling and the casting material availability outside of the the originally intended requirement.  And don't forget the casting bosses for a couple of the lateral oil gallery plugs are removed also, so . . . . . . .   
 

Can any one say if it was the oil cooler as to why they where this way?

   We've stripped several of these 427's of their marine equipment and I don't believe this machining was for that purpose.  I believe this is just the result of standard machining operation as executed on the non side-oiler FE's, it's just that they don't present the casting material as does the side-oiler block casting which evidently proves to be in the way.   

   Scott.

[thatdarncat]

Lifter galleys not drilled. Like to know the casting date

Starting for the 1968 model year, later 1967 calendar year, Ford changed the FE rear of block bulkhead molds so that the small pad on the driver’s side rear was a fully rectangular shape, to make it easier for the plant to stamp a partial VIN which became mandatory for passenger cars that year. (A note, some FE partial VIN’s were stamped on the cylinder head). Prior to the 1968 model year that pad had a somewhat “T” shape. I try to track casting date codes to document more fully when these changes happened, which helps to determine date ranges sometimes when these actual casting date isn’t visible, or messed up ( or someone trying to be deceptive).

That pad on this particular block still has the older “T” shape in their pictures, so my guess is the block casting date is prior to at least early ‘68.

[WConley]

Kevin - The pictures show a block casting number C7AE-A.

Fordification's site shows this is likely a '68 Marine block.

https://www.fordification.com/tech/castingnumbers-FEblock.htm

[thatdarncat]

Kevin - The pictures show a block casting number C7AE-A.

Fordification's site shows this is likely a '68 Marine block.

https://www.fordification.com/tech/castingnumbers-FEblock.htm

Fordification’s FE block identification is not fully accurate or anywhere near complete I’m afraid, a fact they warn people about right at the top of their page. A person needs to remember info there is at best a “maybe”. The C7AE-A 427 blocks were used in the 1967 model year as well of course, the actual casting date under the oil filter adapter pad will determine which model year.

I’d be interested in seeing the actual casting date too, more data points are always helpful, and since 427 blocks were cast in smaller and more infrequent batches than other FE blocks, general characteristics and timelines can vary from the higher volume blocks.

[6667fan]

Anyone surprised to a see a solid lifter boat motor?
Would they do that for a 300 hp powerplant?

[Gregwill16]

I’m not surprised, because I think the first 427 block drilled for hydraulic lifters was the C8 blocks in mid 67.