[DionysysV]

I could use a little advise from those more mustang-wise than I:

Does any know the true performance differences between a 428CJ block and a 427 block (given the same top end components). I am tyring to weigh performance to price and given the unavailability and costs of 427 blocks I am considering a 428CJ, any advice???? This will be for my '67 Fastback

Also, any suggestions for suspensions to go along with the 427/428 racing engine? I've looked at Maier (as they are local to the Bay Area), but am very interested in seeing what other people have done with Total Control, etc.

Any Recommendations for Brake configuration and manufacturers?

All suggestions are appreciated!

Best,
Derek

[Preacher17]

Go with the 428, When Ford developed the 427 they took the bore in the 427 to the max that the block could handle. That means you cannot overbore a 427 if it is worn it has to be sleeved. The 428 is actually a more streetable setup. Where the 427 was designed more for top end performance the 428 was developed to be a torquey street motor and is much easier to live with, despite the 427's rep the 428 is actually the better choice for a street ride.

If you still decide to go with a 427 (and good luck finding a servicable one) stay away from the hi-riser heads (again hard to come by and decidedly expensive) and stay with the medium riser heads for the street which are for all intents and purposes nothing more than 428 Cobra Jet heads. The hi-risers are race only pieces and don't perform well at low rpm.

For what you are going to spend you might want to look at strokers, you can enjoy big cubes with a stroked 351W and save pounds and cash though admittedly you'll get more cool point for running the big block. Good luck.

Mike

[GT300TD]

Ditto on that Preacher

I had a 68 1/2 428 CJ Mustang w/ a 4.30 Detroit locker, ordered it new. It would run with any big block back then. The 427's are extremely hard to find and super expensive. The 427 was 4.23 bore and 3.78 stroke, the 428 was 4.13 bore and 3.98 stroke, same block though. If you can find a set of 427 heads, I believe the intake valves are a little larger. Highrise won't fit anything but Highrise. A 390 GT has the same heads and intake as the 428 CJ. But like Preacher said it is heavy. They also put the 428 in some trucks. If you want to go big block you might consider 429/460, the 429 has a 4.36 bore and a 3.59 stroke, a 460 has a 4.36 bore and a 3.85 stroke, they're a completely different engine than the 390/427/428. The 429 might be easier to find. I don't know about the weight comparison but I believe the 429 is a bit narrower. Ford put the 429/460's in Thunderbirds, Lincolns, and some Cougers in the 70's.
Good Luck.

GT300TD

[302THEBOSS]

The 428 is going to jump out of the hole like a scalded rabbit because it has that long stroke. They basically used 427 low riser heads with 2.08 valves instead of the 2.06s IIRC. Im more partial to the medium risers, just because some were made with big valves.As was said before, 427s are rare and costly to build.

[302THEBOSS]

Sorry, I just realized that I made no sense in the last post. It should read that the CJ heads like 427 medium risers with low riser valves.