New engine dealer suggestions

[fireguywtc]

Ok, it is time for me to find a new engine for the 67 since the orginal 352 is dead. I have not been able to find anything locally or through any searches and links that I am really looking for.

What I am looking for is a 428FE that can easily get me around 300hp to the tires dependably. I know I get get those kind of numbers from a 390 but figured it would be easier and more dependable with the larger displacement. Perhaps I am splitting hairs, but it would be cool to say the truck has a 428 in it.

If you know of or have dealt with any dealers, I would like to hear about them. The closer to TX the better. My knowlege of engines is fairly basic, so all help and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

I did check out fordfe and couldn't find anything helpful in regards to engine sellers.

My hopeful price range is under 4k, and no I cannot build a motor, atleast one that would perform like I want it to so I know I will have to spend some $$. I can do stuff like put on heads, carb, headers, etc.

TIA, Bill

[m-mman]

A genuine 428 (or Merc 410) engine is a scarce item and you will wind up paying plenty for just a core.
Unless you have extra cash (or get lucky) you will most likely end up with a 390.

[averagef250]

I do not believe you will find what you want with a $4K budget. I would put a nice 390 around $3500 and add $2K to that for a 428 just because they're so expensive to start with.

[cdeal28078]

Not to start an argument for the HP you are wanting and the money you are wanting to spend you might look at the 385 family such as the 429 or 460. It's an easy swap with a donor truck but you have to change the tranny. Very easy to get 300hp from one with stock early heads.
clint

[robroy]

Good day Bill!

I'm not sure if you've followed my crazy engine saga or not, but the FE Tom Lucas at FE Specialties built for me seems extremely nice, and his service is the finest I've ever received.

Based on my limited experience, I agree with the other posters that it won't be possible to buy a nicely rebuilt 428 for $4,000. Honestly, all performance-oriented FEs I've seen so far are in the $7,000 to $15,000 range. That said, if you're looking for a very basic rebuild that can deliver 300 horsepower to the wheels, you might be able to find a place that would do it with a 390 for perhaps $6,500.

I'd recommend being extremely careful to make sure that the builder you choose really knows and loves FE engines. There seem to be very few such builders out there, although almost all V8 engine builders probably claim to know FEs.

By the way, I have a few spare FE parts that I'd love to donate to your new engine, if you're interested; I'll PM you!

Have a fantastic afternoon Bill!
Robroy

[fireguywtc]

Good day Bill!

I'm not sure if you've followed my crazy engine saga or not, but the FE Tom Lucas at FE Specialties built for me seems extremely nice, and his service is the finest I've ever received.

Based on my limited experience, I agree with the other posters that it won't be possible to buy a nicely rebuilt 428 for $4,000. Honestly, all performance-oriented FEs I've seen so far are in the $7,000 to $15,000 range. That said, if you're looking for a very basic rebuild that can deliver 300 horsepower to the wheels, you might be able to find a place that would do it with a 390 for perhaps $6,500.

I'd recommend being extremely careful to make sure that the builder you choose really knows and loves FE engines. There seem to be very few such builders out there, although almost all V8 engine builders probably claim to know FEs.

By the way, I have a few spare FE parts that I'd love to donate to your new engine, if you're interested; I'll PM you!

Have a fantastic afternoon Bill!
Robroy

PM sent

[fireguywtc]

A genuine 428 (or Merc 410) engine is a scarce item and you will wind up paying plenty for just a core.
Unless you have extra cash (or get lucky) you will most likely end up with a 390.

I do not believe you will find what you want with a $4K budget. I would put a nice 390 around $3500 and add $2K to that for a 428 just because they're so expensive to start with.

I see what you guys are saying. It may be obvious to you guys now that my knowlege of turn key and rebuilding engines and their prices is very limited. My only real experience is when I had my 352 rebuilt 10 years ago and I know it cost me about $1800 at the time. It looks like I will have to go with a good 390 if I want to stay with FE and stay in my price range.

Not to start an argument for the HP you are wanting and the money you are wanting to spend you might look at the 385 family such as the 429 or 460. It's an easy swap with a donor truck but you have to change the tranny. Very easy to get 300hp from one with stock early heads.
clint

You are not going to find any arguement with me unless you suggest a cheby engine or something like that. Seriously, for the last 2 years I have been seriously debating what I want for my new power source for the truck. The only reason why I have really settled on an FE is because I want a manual trans. I like my NP 435 and I know it will bolt right up to an FE.

I was seriously considering doing a 460 a while ago. Again, I haven't found any great places to buy a 460 that is what I am looking for and has no emissions. I am also unsure if a ZF-5 trans will bolt to any year of 460. I was also concerned about adapting the trans and clutch to the old truck. Not to mention the additional cost of finding a good ZF-5 trans and other associated equipment. I am sure I could adapt the np-435 to the 460, but it seems silly to me to move up to a 460 and not aget a ZF-5 for it. These are the things I was thinking about, even though some if it probably sounds crazy to you all.

[DuckRyder]

I agree it will be difficult to do what you want on your budget if you need to have someone build it.

If you are in Texas you might actually be in a better position to find a 428 than most folks, apparently they are (or at least were) somewhat common in irrigation pumps. Irrigation pumps are sometimes run on propane, which apparently runs quite clean and is easy on parts.

That said 300hp is not a huge number and probably won't take extreme measures to achieve, a stockish rebuild with careful cam, intake and exhaust choices should do it.

[Mach428]

I would love to brag that my truck has a 410! I agree with the other posts that a good 390 (Ford made TONS of them) using a 428 crank would yield a 410 that would allow you to easily hit your targeted HP. Just my opinion...

[fireguywtc]

Has anyone dealt with tough dawg engine buildings out of Arizona? They are all over Ebay and seem to be a pretty good deal for about the hp I am looking for.

Here is their website: http://www.tuffdawgengines.com/

[convincor]

Has anyone dealt with tough dawg engine buildings out of Arizona? They are all over Ebay and seem to be a pretty good deal for about the hp I am looking for.

Here is their website: http://www.tuffdawgengines.com/

There's a few guys I know that used tuffdawg 390's in there cobra replica's and had good luck.

[Dragon]

You can get 300 hp out of a 390. I can build a 300hp 390 for about 3500 with all the machine work. Just making the block and heads right is the expensive part. That is with cast pistons and hydraulic cam.

No I am not selling here.

[fireguywtc]

I agree it will be difficult to do what you want on your budget if you need to have someone build it.

If you are in Texas you might actually be in a better position to find a 428 than most folks, apparently they are (or at least were) somewhat common in irrigation pumps. Irrigation pumps are sometimes run on propane, which apparently runs quite clean and is easy on parts.

That said 300hp is not a huge number and probably won't take extreme measures to achieve, a stockish rebuild with careful cam, intake and exhaust choices should do it.

Interesting, I wasn't aware of the 428 being used in any ag applications. Perhaps it is regional because I don't see a lot of irrigation in my area (central TX). I will be keeping an eye out for one, but I am not going to hold my breath. My feelings tell me most would likely have been replaced by now.

I would love to brag that my truck has a 410! I agree with the other posts that a good 390 (Ford made TONS of them) using a 428 crank would yield a 410 that would allow you to easily hit your targeted HP. Just my opinion...

I like that idea too! I will keep that in mind, I have a lot of options to consider at this point.

Has anyone dealt with tough dawg engine buildings out of Arizona? They are all over Ebay and seem to be a pretty good deal for about the hp I am looking for.

Here is their website: http://www.tuffdawgengines.com/

There's a few guys I know that used tuffdawg 390's in there cobra replica's and had good luck.

thanks for the reply, If I decide its best to buy a full motor, its nice to know of some reputable dealers to consider before calling around.

[fireguywtc]

You can get 300 hp out of a 390. I can build a 300hp 390 for about 3500 with all the machine work. Just making the block and heads right is the expensive part. That is with cast pistons and hydraulic cam.

No I am not selling here.

Cool! I guess you build engines for a living? Is that 300 at the crank or rear wheels? My goal I was talking about initially was to have 300 hp to the wheels. If I did my math correctly, accounting for a 20% parasitic loss, I would need to make about 360 hp at the crank. I would assume I would need more parts for a 390 to make that much hp. Thanks for the reply Dragon.

[Dragon]

to be real if you have a NP or T18 and a 2 piece driveshaft and Dana 60 is 22 or 24% can easily be the loss. A C6 or top loader 4 speed with single piece driveshaft on a Ford 9 inch should be slightly less around 18%

I used to build big blocks only and it was mostly FEs, some Chebies and Hemis. If I can get ahead I am going to start again. The price I quoted was from a work up I did for a local kid with a 64 Galaxie. It was cam, intake, carb, Duraspark port matching clean up, bowl porting, high pressure rods, sonic tested all rods redone and balanced.