427 marine center oiler

[fekbmax]

I'm sure all this has been tossed around before and even think i remember some of it but just tossing these questions out there and would like to hear any and all opinions.
I have access to one of these blocks in really good shape. Its standard bore and looks like it would clean up at .020 easy.
So,,
How much HP (Drag race only, 75% 1/8 mile, 25% 1/4 mile) would this block handle if it was set up to near as perfect as could be, IE "proper" oil galley mods, square decked all the way round, line bored, a switch to billet main caps, (either a set of programs, or fitting a set of pond block caps or possibly doing the Bessel caps) 3/4 block fill, etc . ?
How about the center oiling system? How bad is this gonna limit things ?
Any other ideas on making it handle max power ?

[machoneman]

2,500 and it WILL break after 3-4 runs  .

No foolin', Ed Pink the early engine master builder for the famed Baney-Prudhomme SOHC F.E. supercharged nitro Baney Ford Special dragster said as much long ago, Then, running only about 25 lbs. of boost, 50 degrees in the mag, the smallish 6-71 blower, Ford supplied intake, yada-yada.....this is the amount of hp they ran then. Still, the mains would soon let go and another bullet would get plugged in.
 

See for yourself......

http://www.enginelabs.com/features/interviews/the-old-master-ed-pink-reflects-on-sohc-irl-and-midget-engines/

[fekbmax]

So with todays technology, (billet cranks, rods, bearings, fasteners,  lubricant's) i should be able to dbl the amount of runs right .. 
Ok, kidding aside.  Reasonable Hp.

[jayb]

If you fill that block up to the water pump holes I don't see any reason why it wouldn't take 800-900 HP.

[fekbmax]

How about the center oiler. How bad would it handicap?
Would a titan super pump, external pump, or dry sump system be any kind of benefit at all for the center oiler ?

[WConley]

Just ask Ray Paquet about center oiler 427 blocks.  He's made over 900 HP at over 9,000 rpm through the traps with them, while obliterating SS-B records.

With proper detailing and good parts, that marine block should be just fine.  Just sonic the cylinder walls to make sure you'll be getting a good ring seal.  That was one of Ray's trade secrets- picking the block with the most consistent walls he could find.

Your block was hopefully closed-loop, or at least fresh-water cooled, right?

[fekbmax]

It appears to have been fresh water cooled. Its in really nice shape. Im going back over saterday to look at it for the 4th or 5th time lol and make some kinda decision. 

[ogasman]

About 10 years ago I bought a pair out of a Chris Craft.  They were closed loop cooling.  One cleaned up at 3 thou, the other had a scratch and needed 17 over (broken ring). I had Dove drill the side oiler passage for me.  It gets into one of the motor mount bolt holes, but you just plug it.  You lose one of the motor mount holes, but it does not interfere with the oil passage.  It now is a center oiler AND a side oiler.  My blocks had a piece of rod plugging the lifter passages, but the block was drilled.  I pulled out the pieces of rod, and now have oil pressure fed to the lifters.
  One is 482 cubes, solid roller, modified high riser, with a tunnel wedge intake.  750 HP+ in a light street car.  It gets beat on pretty hard, no problems yet.  The other is being built for a current project.

Paul