428 PI Speculation: Read ALL Comments

[chris401]

Found a T-Bird to pickup engine transplant. It has a May 67 cast iron pi intake, sohc type ballancer, C7 heads and a C6ME block (didn't get date). Would this block be a solid lifter? I read the early ones were but dont know if this is early enough. I am not working on anything at this time so all the usual 428 identitifications will not be performed at this time.

[ScotiaFE]

What number is on the intake?
I doubt it is a solid lifter block, but you never know. Adjustable rockers?
 

[chris401]

Intake is cast iron C7AE E, common 390 4v. However with block and pulley combonation (assuming all original) from a T Bird, its a PI engine. A May 1967 390 would be the C7 block.

[chris401]

Is my info correct? Anyone who has owned one correct me if I am wrong.

[My427stang]

C7AE-A heads and C6ME block could easily, and more likely, be a 390 as well. 

Need to check bore and stroke

[chris401]

Correct. I am not asking what engine it is.
I should have asked: Is that component combonation is correct for a May 67 factory build T Bird 428 PI?

[thatdarncat]

Forgive me, but the question has me confused. There were no P.I. ( Police Interceptor ) engines in a '67 Thunderbird. What are normally called a Police Interceptor intake are aluminum, not cast iron. I just say normally because there were multiple police car packages available with everything from a 6 cylinder on up, but not on a T-Bird ( although a T-Bird Police car would have been cool ). No solid lifter '67 Thunderbirds. I assume by soc type balancer you mean 427 SOHC? If so why do you say that? Need some more info on why you are linking '67 Thunderbird and PI? 

[chris401]

No problem, bad comunication is my trademark. I dont have personal experience with a 67 T Bird 428, just what I have read. Like you said my 68 Motor's list no special foot notes for the Tbirds engine. Post on fordfe say the E was an iron version of the F and was used on 390, 428 and PI. The ballancer is a one piece solid 2 groove cast pulley. It looks like a heavy duty 2 groove version of the C4 ballancer. I was told by another member it was a sohc pulley also used in tbirds. Haven't found balancer/pulley picture to confirm. I had an April or so 67 390 that was a C7AE block. The post on early solid lifter PI made the C6ME stick out.

[manofmerc]

Chris I am assuming you believe your bird has a 428p.i. .That is possible but what is the intake ? Most are aluminum and most likely a 67 would have an aluminum intake .As others have said check the stroke and pull the valve covers to look at the rockers .I have seen three actual 428 p.i. engines two were in cars none of the three were solid lift.And one had a cast iron 428 cj intake looked original in a 69 Ga. state patrol car.The others had an aluminum intake with 735 holley and c8ae-h heads .And 428 or not that c6me block is a favorite of many and with a sonic test you might have a good candidate for someone .Pull a sparkplug and use a rod to check the stroke .You know what to do .Good luck to you .Doug

[chris401]

This post has gotten twisted, maybe my choice of wording.

MANOFMERC: Sense you have seen three of these, maybe you can answer my component and date date specific question.
Thanks

[TomP]

I have also seen old confusing literature saying 345hp or a PI 360hp for the 428 engines in a 67 Tbird. I don't believe any came with the PI though.

[chris401]

I agree with the forum, what little literature I have does not support a P.I. in a 67 TBird. Took a better look at it today. The header flange kept me from seeing weather the exhaust bosses were drilled or not. The valve covers are plain height for hydrolic rockers and the date on the block looked like May 1st 1967. That date on a C6ME block would be correct for a 428. The two 67 390's I had were C7AE casting: www.mustangtek.com/block/Block.html supports what I have learned over the years. The pulley might be the C5AE-D over a C4 ballancer. It has the large port oil filter adapter. If we buy this truck I'll  post what I find.

[RoyceP]

The block casting numbers are meaningless. C6ME blocks can be 352, 390, 410 or 428 cubic inches. All the 428's (including police 428s) in 1967 had non adjustable hydraulic lifters. There is not one thing in the valve cover area that is different on a 428 compared to a 352 or a 390.

 Pull a spark plug and measure the stroke. If it is 3.98 you have a 410 or a 428. All the head castings and intake castings and block castings are the same for 410 / 428 / 390. No way to tell without pulling a head and measuring the bore to see if it is a 428.

You didn't mention what the engine code was in the VIN - that might tell you something.

I agree with the forum, what little literature I have does not support a P.I. in a 67 TBird. Took a better look at it today. The header flange kept me from seeing weather the exhaust bosses were drilled or not. The valve covers are plain height for hydrolic rockers and the date on the block looked like May 1st 1967. That date on a C6ME block would be correct for a 428. The two 67 390's I had were C7AE casting: www.mustangtek.com/block/Block.html supports what I have learned over the years. The pulley might be the C5AE-D over a C4 ballancer. It has the large port oil filter adapter. If we buy this truck I'll  post what I find.