Engine update

[glenn]

Hello everyone,
Talked to Bill Parham at SA last wednesday.Comfirmed it was a rod bearing and damage to the crank.No answer as to how it happened,Oil gallies look good, no burn or black marks on the bearing to indicate oil starvation.Anyway their rebuilding the engine from top to bottom and hope to have it back in aweek to ten days.
Having had this experience,and now know things can happen tothe best of engine builders.I went with the 406, thinking it would be more bullit proof and dependable.Now i'm secnod guessing myself and seriously thinging about building another engine,preferably a 427 or 428 if i can find one.Any imput and advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Glenn

[pgermond]

Glenn,

See my reply to you under the "Out of left field" topic

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[brfutbrian]

glenn, i wouldnt worry too much about the longevity or reliablity of your engine once you get it back from bill. im sure you cant find any engine builder whos never had a problem with an engine within the first hundred miles. doesnt happen often, but it happens. be patient, i know youre itching to put some miles on that car. sounds like you dont have to wait too much more. as far as going to 427 or 428, you can get one no problem, it just takes money. unless you really got to have one, id wait till you have a few thousand on your car and you can decide if you really need one. you may find your 406 is plenty stout enough. later, brian

[Brent]

Glenn,

Other than the "yes it is a 427" answer, and it being worth more money, there is NO advantage to going with a 427. I don't want to ruffle any feathers so if you want to talk further we can PM.

Brent

[clayfoushee]

Glenn,

Brent's exactly right. The only advantage is resale because so many people have convinced themselves they just have to have a 427, thus they command more in the market.

It's a similar phenomenon to the difference between a "numbers matching" collector car vs. an identical one with a replacement engine. Does the "numbers matching" car perform or look any better? No!

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[gasman]

Glenn, you may want to change your avatar

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[clayfoushee]

Huh?:D

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[gasman]

Everybody else is. ;)

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[clayfoushee]

Is what....you been doin' shots again?

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[gasman]

wH aatEvvver give uyew dhat eyder.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[souzape]

Glen- I bought an FIA car and opted for a 351C engine from Bill. Sadly, I had the same problem with failed crank/rod bearings within about 900 miles on the car. Also had a failed distributor shaft earlier. Bill was good about helping me diagnose the problems and offsetting the repair costs but I sure wish I had just sent the engine back to him. I still see a drop in oil pressure (from 75 lbs to 60/65 lbs at higher RPM and really don't have complete confidence that all is OK with the engine even now. You probably did the right thing by returning it.

Phil Souza
LEFT Coast

[ralphscott]

Glen sounds like your engine is on the road to recovery To echo the guys you really are not going to solve any reliability problems by going to a 427 or 428 unless the problem is too much money. When I built my car I wanted a 428 'cause "Old Shel" had put them in the street version. Alan Weaver told me I really did not need a lot of engine with a car as light as it is. Guess what -- Alan was right. I'd stick with the 406 until, as was suggested, you get some miles on it and see if you need or want more. How soon will you be back on the road?

Ralph

I was the red car with the white stripe parked next to you at Unique...

[gasman]

There is no such thing as too much power:D

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[ralphscott]

You are absolutely right Steve but I don't think I could tell the difference between the 406 and a 428 or 427 similarly prepared. Under acceleration I think my gut will still touch my backbone and my wife will still black out 'cause of the G forces. Thank God for USAF jet fiter pressure suits!!:D
Have a good one man gotta go....

Ralph

[brfutbrian]

ralph, that could be a topic in itself. actually both the last posts could be. from my understanding you could tell the difference. the 428 should come out of the hole faster due to the longer stroke giving more torque.the 427 with a shorter stroke will rev at least a thousand more rpm and make more horsepower(similary prepared = stock. anything beyond stock is not really apples to apples)later, brian.

[pgermond]

Glenn,

Just went over 1,000 mi this AM and the 406 is doing fine (fingers X'd). As has been said, you can spend a ton of $$$ on a 427, and I haven't had one person challenge me when I tell (my little white lie) that it's a 427. To be honest, if I had more power I wouldn't know what to do with it other than kill myself.

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[GeorgiaSnake]

Go SB Stroker and get it all :D

Randy

Unique 289 FIA
Southern Automotive 396
Team III 16's
Brilliant Silver

[glenn]

Thanks everyone for your responses.Your right everyone,i need to get the car back drive it and enjoyit.Then make a decision on engines after i run this one awhile.Phil i would like to connect with you again.I'm going to be out of town this weekand I'll try to connect when i get back.Have fun guys and happy motoring. THANKS Glenn

[ralphscott]

Brian I agree with the characteristics that you describe for the 428 and 427. But do you really think you would be able to tell the difference?? What a fun test to do!! :D

Ralph

[brfutbrian]

ralph, i think you would see a difference side by side out of the hole. each car on its own you may not tell the difference. im sure the difference isnt a whole lot. later, brian

[pbrown]

Look in the latest edition of HotRod mag. There is a F.A.S.T EFI FE427 in there using all new parts. That would be quite nice in a Cobra.

--Patrick

[ralphscott]

Thanks Patrick. I also noted at http://www.clubcobra.com/t54112 there is a short discussion on 427 with EFI that a fellow is planning. Also Kelly you will note at the bottom of the same page Shell Valley has an ad that alternately flashes a Daytona and a orange cobra with white stripes...:D

Ralph

[gasman]

Must be from Clemson.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[pgermond]

Gasman..... nice Avatar :D What caused you to switch [}:)];)

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[gasman]

I don't know, just decided it was time for a change. I think it is more befiting my profession.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[bittentoo]

Ralph, I'm very familiar with that car. When I was searching for the "right" color for mine, I called Shell Valley and inquired about the color. They were very helpful and even sent me a photoghraph of the car so that I could see the actual color. It was "Sunset Pearl" I think from House of Colors. Very pretty color, has more of a tangerine color to it verses mine has more gold. Didn't want to copy thiers but knew that I wanted something simaliar

[ralphscott]

Kelly, thanks for the background story on it. I thought it was neat that they had an orange one similar to yours.. how cool.

Ralph