Matt we are in the same boat.
However, there is hope as Jay's survey shows the Iron heads pulling away from the ED'S
. Mr. Robotniks and the BBM's will win out I am sure, but that is not where I want to go. Drew if you noticed his post and I am assuming here, but he was referencing an affordable Performance head. NOT a Race head. Mr. Robotnik stated that the ED's at there price point are a good stock replacement, not a race head. Which is why he moved on to his own head. Now I will consed that IF the last year Ford sold the FE format was 2000 this would be a moot discussion. However. when Ford changed castings within the year (Thus the reason for so many different 427 LR castings I.E. C3AE-D, G, H, J) for the FE it was for race development. Now if they had that kept up to this day we would have truly something spectacular and are only getting closer after people like Mr.Robotnik and A.T Francis have pushed the envelope. This is a good thing it has exposed the FE to a new generation.
But the last casting development was finished what 43 years ago? So the young guys have again old iron that while it can be ported to do well would cost as much as the Ed's to run or for a mere $800 more a set of real performers only a weeks pay at 25/hr hope you don't have any bills. If you ask me that sounds unfair. Not to say those that WANT to run the old stuff should buy a set of new Irons nor should those who can afford and want to run the top shelf fell guilty. Rather an in between, a real in between. You mention an affordable 427 block, why? When most of those who buy them expect to pay 5000+ after it is all said and done? It is the accepted going price isn't it? I will tell you why. You don't got it, and you don't want to go and sleeve a used up block just in hopes it will run. But you say with the same breath we don't need something that would make this hobby more affordable to the younger crowd. Or do you like it when the kid down the street dose little more then bolts a $1500 turbo onto his Honda 18b and walks you? Not to mention gets betters gas mileage and can afford to run his "hotrod" and you cant. Well to be honest I boils my buttons and I would rather see him in a Chevy but they too are getting pricey.
So lets keep this going, how about we step this up and get into a technical discussion. What is wrong with the factory heads? Where are they the strongest and where do they need help? What would you change? Joe-JDC mentioned what he would like to see and I did too. CJ you run the old Iron so you have to have an idea / opinion or two? Mr. Robotnik (Sorry about the miss spell before I got a hard name as well you should have called me on it I would have understood sorry.) When you see stock heads where do you do the most work? (Not asking for trade secrets.)
Thanks for all the reply's so far and thanks for putting up with me