FE deck coolant passage question

[Fordman]

I was going through old posts and came across Jay.B's post about the difference in the coolant passage hole between a 390 and 428 block. I have several 105 blocks with that shape of opening. Does anyone know if all 105 block were cast with this style/shape opening?. Curious....John

[thatdarncat]

The FE deck coolant passage I.D. tip only applies to "DIF" cast blocks. The "105" blocks were all cast at the MCC ( Michigan Casting Center ) and they all utilize the passages that extend past the head bolt holes. In the case of the "105" MCC cast blocks the passage hole shape has no meaning. No 428 or 427 blocks were ever cast at MCC, so they never utilized those casting patterns.

[Fordman]

As a FE addict I politely disagree. I have had and sold ford 428 service blocks that were 105 blocks. I have owned around 150 FE's. Paul Munro helped me out with my addiction and bought the lions share of my stash about 10ish years ago. I realize that is completely off topic. I just was never aware of that coolant passage reference and thought I may have a few nice blocks as I haven't sonic mapped them yet. Thank you for the reply all the same....John

[thatdarncat]

We've had people who worked at Ford who made the comment that no 428's were cast at MCC, on the old FE Forum, that's what I'm going by. Respectfully, it would be interesting to see any proven 428 blocks from MCC.

[Fordman]

I'm not sure what to say about that opinion. I do know I never had the presence of mind at the time to document those blocks (that I remember). I also had a 2 bolt main 427 that went to Australia, some people say they never made them either but they are out there. Dave Shoe posted years ago on the old FE forum that he had some ford info that 200 were made for irrigation purposes. Mine came out of Kansas so that would make sense. Somewhere I pics of that block. If I come across some pics if I can find them I will try to post them on the 105/428  service block thing....John

[scott foxwell]

One thing I have come to learn, if nothing else about FE's is, there are no absolutes.

[gt350hr]

   Amen to that.

[jayb]

They certainly did make 2 bolt 427  blocks for use in irrigation engines, see the thread below for some pictures. 

http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=4597.0