CarTech®
CarTech, Inc.
838 Lake Street South
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Phone: 651-277-1200 or 800-551-4754
Fax: 651-277-1203
© 2017 by George Reid
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission from the Publisher. All text, photographs, and artwork are the property of the Author unless otherwise noted or credited.
The information in this work is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. However, all information is presented without any guarantee on the part of the Author or Publisher, who also disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use of the information and any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Readers are responsible for taking suitable and appropriate safety measures when performing any of the operations or activities described in this work.
All trademarks, trade names, model names and numbers, and other product designations referred to herein are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification purposes. This work is a publication of CarTech, Inc., and has not been licensed, approved, sponsored, or endorsed by any other person or entity. The Publisher is not associated with any product, service, or vendor mentioned in this book, and does not endorse the products or services of any vendor mentioned in this book.
Edit by Bob Wilson
Layout by Monica Seiberlich
ISBN 978-1-61325-344-1
Item No. SA397
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Reid, George, author.
Title: Ford big-block parts interchange : how to build high performance / George Reid.
Description: Forest Lake, MN : CarTech, [2017] | Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017019293 | ISBN 9781613253441
Subjects: LCSH: Ford automobile--Motors--Parts--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Ford automobile--Motors--Modification--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Ford automobile--Performance--Parts--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Classification: LCC TL215.F7 R3885 2017 | DDC 629.25/040288--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017019293
Written, edited, and designed in the U.S.A.
Printed in China
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Title Page: The most legendary, and certainly the most exotic, Ford FE Series big-block is the 90-day wonder: the 427-ci SOHC Cammer, which was conceived for NASCAR competition. When NASCAR said no to an overhead-cam engine, Ford repurposed the SOHC into its aftermarket drag racing program where this engine witnessed great success. (Photo Courtesy Bob Wilson)
Back Cover Photos
Top: Viewed from above, it’s easy to see that the C8AE-H 390 GT High Performance head sports the same 2.340 × 1.340-inch intake ports as the rest of the FE lineup. This is why head selection isn’t that critical if you’re building an engine for cruising or even weekend racing. It is best that you avoid the Thermactor head unless you’re performing a matching numbers concours restoration. Thermactor exhaust ports are restrictive.
Middle Left: Hydraulic lifter FE blocks have three oil galleys (arrows) around the cam journals, which supply the lifters with oil pressure. This is the most common block you will find out there. Very few are mechanical lifter blocks.
Middle Right: The 3.780-inch-stroke 427 forged-steel crankshaft was produced at least two ways. According to John Vermeersch of Total Performance, early 427 steel cranks had these press-in C-clip plugs in the journals. Ford abandoned this approach for screw-in plugs.
Bottom: Blue Thunder reproduces the 427 Medium Riser intake manifold. They don’t come cheap; however, they enable you to find this manifold as new without an extensive search.
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CONTENTS
Chapter 1: General Data and Specifications