Here's a follow-on question about building an SOHC...

[KjcfeF100]

My response is more to the first question, but anyway, here goes.  I like SOHC FEs, and they are arguably the king of the FE family.  But I've already spent a small fortune on a BT MR headed 482, and that's the engine I wanted.  I like push-rod V8 engines.  My interest in FE engines is based on the basic FE, to me the SOHCs are "exotic" FE's.  I admire the SOHC'S, they certainly are cool and can make big power.  But to me the complexity of an OHC engine just isn't appealing. Call me crazy, but I'd rather have an 850 HP wedge headed push-rod engine than a 900 HP SOHC.  Besides, the only people that can win in heads up racing or a horsepower war are the ones with the most money, and that isn't me anyway.  (And no, my FE isn't 850 HP, just an example   ).

[sumfoo1]

Hi Jay, It's interesting to read all of the responses you have received about this topic. They vary so much from comparing HP for $ spent to the down and out nostalgic nut like myself. I have always wanted a cammer since my dad drove his 65 Gal as a daily drive. Back then I never dreamt of owning one little lone seeing a real side oiler. Its funny, I am 46 years down the road and in the last ten years or so, I have owned 2 NOS side oiler blocks, still have 2 sets of NOS medium riser heads, a set of tunnel port heads and am building a Shelby aluminum blocked cammer with Munro heads and a efi hilborn set up. I still haven't got every thing, but getting close. The real answer to your question is that if you are a fanatic of these engines, the most worrying and frustrating part is the availability of the parts. If there was a real source for a trusted, one stop shop, the cost isn't that relevant. If someone wants to build any type of engine for big HP. the answer is always the same - Cubic Inches Over Dollars. I wish I could find a truly reliable source. I have added a very rough add up of "prices" I found on line. Please feel free to correct me or add to the list for something I have forgoten. Cheers. Ps, this is a great forum.

That's a pretty sweet list, but where are you sourcing them would be awesome too 

[AUSSIE427SOHC]

Thats the whole problem, we need a decent reliable source.

[machoneman]

Well, I went back to Jay's 2009 Hot Rod mag. article on building a SOHC, remembering he did a complete parts list with then current pricing. I came up with $17,831... less than I would have thought. Adding in say a 5% rise in prices to 2014, that's still under $19,000. Don't know if that includes balancing btw.

Say a pro shop like Barry R.'s place did all the machining, balancing and assembly. I'd throw in say $5,000  for his efforts. Now we're at say $24,000, still less than I would have thought.   

Are these numbers in the ballpark Jay? Perhaps you can improve them, using the old H/R article as a base and your current SOHC experiences.