|
|
|
|
Original Message
|
| R-code 427 (2nd long post) |
| By Bill - 04/04/2006 4:46:35 PM; IP 153.26.176.34 |
Gentlemen: I have a second vehicle that ties in with my previous post concerning the 428 PI in the ’73 4x4.
My other vehicle that needs TLC is a ’64 Galaxie with a bone-stock, “R-code”, 427 Low-Riser. (It isn’t a numbers-matching car in case anyone was drooling).
I’ve owned the car since 1976 and I had the engine rebuilt to stock specs shortly after I bought it.
It has minimal miles on the engine because I’ve moved around a lot, but the miles that I did put on it were pretty hard ones because I was an idiot. (Immature clod + barley/malt beverages + dual quad 427 = 7 grand holeshots to ‘impress’ neighbors…)
Those days are over but I think I wounded the engine, at least minimally. I know that my ‘stupid driving tricks’ caved in the oil pan almost to the pickup screen at one time so there were most likely some starvation issues.
The engine is one sweet-running item, and very, very streetable, even with the 2-4s, but I think I did something bad to the internals at some point because oil pressure has been a problem lately that I’ve been working on restoring the car. I tried all the low budget fixes by changing to different viscosity oils but the engine has to come apart and I intend to do that once I’m back in the US.
I have about 70-80 psi cold with 20-50 oil, but the pressure drops quickly when the engine is warm to about 10 psi or less at idle and that is way too low for me to be comfortable.
Since I should have the time to do it right once November rolls around, I would like to ask for opinions and advice on a few things.
**What is a good replacement cam for this engine, one that mimics the stock solid-lifter cam that is in there now? This engine has a really ‘good’ lope, and I don’t think I really want to lower the compression of this engine if I don’t absolutely have to. I would plan on buying ‘race gas’ to mix with the stuff available now in order to keep things as stock as possible. I would go with a complete cam kit in order to replace the springs, retainers, and all.
**Now, are hardened valve seats important for something like this? I believe that I read a past post that made the statement that unless the vehicle was driven for 40,000 miles then the benefits of hardened seats wouldn’t really be seen or needed. Opinions on this? Since the engine has to come apart, now would be the time to do whatever was needed. This car would not be a daily driver with a lot of mileage.
**Again the rocker shaft issue comes up. I have the stock Low-Riser stands and rockers but would like to step to something with a little more insurance value. I’ll read whatever responses come in for my other post, but if someone has a specific opinion for the 427 I wouldn’t mind hearing it as well.
**I’ll avoid asking the same questions about dampers, and common engine items that I asked previously about my 428PI, but I do want opinions on rod bolts.
I know for a fact that I’ve spun this thing way too high during my ‘formative years’ and I was very, very lucky that it didn’t grenade back then. I think I should replace the connecting rod bolts with newer ones but have the same questions about the ARP bolts.
Does this 427 have the same connecting rod bolt configuration as the 428, or do I have stronger rods and bolts to start with? Any comments or opinions concerning the ‘right’ way to improve on the stock 427 bolts I have now in order to prevent future failures caused by past indiscretions? Should I look for NOS Ford parts, or upgrade to aftermarket stuff?
**I should note, and I should have noted on my first post, that I can’t browse eBay from my email system. I’m on a monitored e-mail system and there are a lot of things that are blocked by our security; eBay is one of them. So if someone has advice on a source other then eBay, please pass it on.
**This last question may sound silly, but it is a concern of mine. I know that this engine has quite a lot of value and I hesitate to hand it over to a machine shop without references. If anyone has personal experience (preferable a good experience) with a machine shop that knows Ford FEs in the Southeastern NY or Southern New England area I would appreciate hearing about it. There are a couple of the kit Cobra shops in CT and the name of Danbury Competition Engines has been suggested by one of the kit Cobra websites. Does anyone have personal knowledge or experience with this shop? I tried to access the part of the Fomoco.com site that lists car clubs but wasn’t able to get that to work for me.
As always, all opinions and viewpoints are appreciated.
Bill
|
|
|
This thread, so far...
|
|
|
|
Post A Response
|
|
|
|
|
|