My First FE Build

[unclewill]

I just finished my first FE build:
1968 427 side oiler service block, bored 4.25"
390 rods and crank from a '76 highboy
Wiseco 20cc dished pistons
Comp 280H Magnum Cam
C0AE 6090d 61.5 cc heads, ported
Offenhauser 360 degree aluminum intake, port matched
'76 magnetic pickup distributor, MSD 6AL + coil
Holley 850 cfm double pumper
Doug's headers, purple hornies glass packs
I can't wait to install it and fire it up!  It's going in a '69 factory R-code Cobra sport coupe with a toploader 4 speed and a 9" rearend.

[unclewill]

Calculated static CR is 10.6:1, the small combustion chamber heads require the use of deep dished pistons in case you are wondering....

[ScotiaFE]

Looking Good.
So I looked up the intake in the "book".
The "book" says low on the ladder for performance. But that is as always not the whole story.
Depending on your gear selection that may over come some of the low standing of the intake.
Make sure you have a good curve on the Dist, most of the rebuilt parts store truck Dizzy's have a very slow
advance.

[unclewill]

The intake came with the heads in a package deal and the price was right.  It looks like a basic single plane but someone really opened up the runners to match the head ports.  I am a little concerned that I won't be taking advantage of the flow since I won't be revving over 6000 with that 390 rotating assembly.  I chose the 280H cam for a good balance for the street.  This is not a race car, I'm looking for strong torque 3000 - 5500 rpm.

[ScotiaFE]

Don't despair.
Even with the vulnerable S intake 390 and a wide ratio TL and 3.50 gear you can smoke the tires
at will and it will pull strong through the mid range. btdt
If you don't have the wide ratio gear set, I strongly recommend the up grade.
The close ratio is never up to the task on the street. jmho

[unclewill]

Where I live the roads are all wide open with few towns and no stop and go traffic.  I hope the CR toploader will cut it for now since that is what I have, and I don't need to add anything else to the "to do" list.  An open road cruiser with good passing power is the goal of this project...we'll soon see how she does out here.

[plovett]

I agree on the intake.  I'm not trying to be critical.  It sounds like an awesome build going into a super cool car.  But, if you put say, an Edelbrock RPM intake on there, I bet the gain will be stunning.

Do you have any pic's of the car?

paulie

[unclewill]

Hmmm, what do you mean by stunning?  I don't have the intake book with the dyno results.  Once it's up and running the car is going to be sold so I'll probably wait for my next build to try the edelbrock.  I will check out the distributor curve though.  Here is a photo of the Cobra.  Does anyone out there have spare clutch linkage parts for one of these?

[jayb]

Here's what Paulie means by "stunning".  On my 390 stroker dyno mule, the Offy 360 intake peaked at 479  ft-lbs of torque and 461 HP.  The Edelbrock Performer RPM peaked at 514 ft-lbs of torque and 493 HP.  That is a 35 ft-lb and 32 HP increase.  Same engine, same dyno, same carb, same headers.  Both manifolds were in un-port-matched condition.

I would make a stronger statement than the other guys, that the Offy 360 is a junk manifold.  Get a Performer RPM.

[bn69stang]

Cool build , cool car and when have the coin , upgrade your intake for sure and or even buy Jay s book , lots of useful info .. Bud

[unclewill]

OK, I'm ordering the Performer RPM today!  Anyone want to buy an Offenhauser for cheap?  NYUK NYUK.  Here's a question for you - when I replace the intake, should I use the metal tray in the lifter valley or not?  I read its purpose is to keep hot oil off of the bottom of the manifold...

[Drew Pojedinec]

If you have one use it.... it isn't needed perse.

It's more important when you are either:
Using the old style crankcase evac system (not on the valve covers but on the intake)
or
Have an exhaust crossover in the intake that'll get smoking hot and burn the oil, making carbon (the Performer RPM doesn't have exhaust provisions, so no worries).

The Offy intake is worth a lil money on ebay, I'd totally use it on a stock 390 if I just physically wanted an aluminum 4v intake.

[bn69stang]

Gotta love peer pressure  lol , you wont be sorry though and then your next upgrade look at a wide ratio kit for your tranny , or even a 5 speed  http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/Smileys/default/cool.gif

[unclewill]

OK, cooler heads have prevailed...$425 for the intake + $45 for gaskets + $155 for machine work (heads are milled) = $625 + several hours of my time.  This car is being built for resale so I need to keep a lid on costs.  The new owner can upgrade the manifold and the gearset as they see fit.  I have a mirror 105 390 block in the shop which will make a Jim dandy fuel injected stroker so I will use the rpm intake on that one when the time comes...I do appreciate the tip though!

[plovett]

Cool Fairlane!  Definitely has a 70's vibe.

And Jay's book is worth having.   I think it'd be worth having even if I didn't have an FE.  Just a huge treasure trove of orderly and concise dyno data.   

Another thought, also influenced by the book:

You could pick up an Edelbrock Streetmaster or Holley Street Dominator for about half the cost ,or less, of a new Edelbrock RPM intake.   Those would work great in your 427, especially with a just a bit of home porting.

paulie