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Block weight

Started by shelbymann1970, May 02, 2024, 07:01:14 AM

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shelbymann1970

Anyone have a ballpark what a bare 428 block with a crank and damper on it would weigh? Breakdown even? Block, Crank? Thanks.
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

Coralsnake

Yep, I have a listing from Ford of each part.

I will see ifI can find it
The original Influencer, check out www.thecoralsnake.com

68stangcjfb

#2
I put a 30 over 428 C scratch block on a scale years ago and as I recall I think it was 173 pounds. I didn't weigh the crank. A Cobra Jet intake was 74 pounds.
68 1/2 CJ Mustang GT FB auto 3.91s 68 1/2 CJ Torino GT FB 3.91s 60 Thunderbird 64 Falcon Sprint conv. 4Spd 65 Falcon Sedan Delivery 67 Fairlane 500 SW 428 4Spd, 68 Torino 4dr 95 Thunderbird SC. 89 F250 Supercab 2wd, 98 Mustang conv. 99 Jeep Cherokee 2002 Thunderbird. 96 Harley FLSTN Heritage Special

Royce Peterson

I shipped a bare 390 block a couple years ago. With a pallet, plumber's tape to secure it to the pallet, and wrapped in plastic the scale barely hit 200 pounds. A 428 should be a bit lighter with a bigger bore.
1968 Cougar XR-7 GT-E 427 Side Oiler C6 3.50 Detroit Locker
1968 1/2 Cougar XR-7 428CJ Ram Air C6 3.91 Traction Lock

shelbymann1970

Quote from: 68stangcjfb on May 02, 2024, 09:02:50 AMI put a 30 over 428 C scratch block on a scale years ago and as I recall I think it was 173 pounds. I didn't weigh the crank. A Cobra Jet intake was 74 pounds.
Thanks. About 15 years ago I sold 2 CJ intakes on the 428CJ forum. a spring 68 date coded intake weighed 84 pounds double wrapped in cardboard. The spring 70 date coded intake wrapped exactly the same weighed 88 pounds. We got an engine on a stand we may have to lift off by hand and it is an almost bare block with the cam and crankshaft in it with the front damper and pulley still on.
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

shelbymann1970

Quote from: Royce Peterson on May 02, 2024, 11:38:22 AMI shipped a bare 390 block a couple years ago. With a pallet, plumber's tape to secure it to the pallet, and wrapped in plastic the scale barely hit 200 pounds. A 428 should be a bit lighter with a bigger bore.
Thanks Royce. Gary
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

Coralsnake

This was titled 427 engine - prototype

The original Influencer, check out www.thecoralsnake.com

shelbymann1970

Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

Side-Oilers

Great chart, Pete.  So, cast iron 427 block and heads together = about 365 pounds. 

Substituting aluminum for both items should shave off what...at least 100 pounds? Maybe little more?   

That's what I've always figured.
Current:
2006 FGT, Tungsten. Whipple, HRE 20s, Ohlin coil-overs. Top Speed Certified 210.7 mph.

Kirkham Cobra 427.  482-inch aluminum side-oiler. Tremec 5-spd.

Previous:
1968 GT500KR #2575 (1982-2022)
1970 Ranchero GT 429
1969 LTD Country Squire 429
1963 T-Bird Sport Roadster
1957 T-Bird E-model

shelbydoug

Aluminum block weight drops down to about 160 pounds and the aluminum heads combined to around 55 pounds.

Don't forget the "427 Lightweight" used a magnesium PI single 4v intake, and aluminum water pump and a aluminum HUB balancer.

It still couldn't compete with a lightweight 289 totaling around 450 pounds.

I don't remember anything about an aluminum flywheel or clutch cover back then but even the "lightweight 427" was somewhat of a monster for racing.

The big FE "bell" was cast iron v. aluminum for the 289.


I always wondered what the reason was for in casting the Holley carbs out of zinc rather then aluminum? There must be a technical reason for that since it seems so obvious to save weight there?
68 GT350 Lives Matter!

Bob Gaines

Quote from: shelbydoug on May 05, 2024, 09:46:53 AMAluminum block weight drops down to about 160 pounds and the aluminum heads combined to around 55 pounds.

Don't forget the "427 Lightweight" used a magnesium PI single 4v intake, and aluminum water pump and a aluminum HUB balancer.

It still couldn't compete with a lightweight 289 totaling around 450 pounds.

I don't remember anything about an aluminum flywheel or clutch cover back then but even the "lightweight 427" was somewhat of a monster for racing.

The big FE "bell" was cast iron v. aluminum for the 289.


I always wondered what the reason was for in casting the Holley carbs out of zinc rather then aluminum? There must be a technical reason for that since it seems so obvious to save weight there?
I had the same question in the past and after researching it a little found out that it is more economical first and foremost in large production.First off you should know that Zinc die cast has a significant part of aluminum in its alloy.The zinc die cast is not much heavier the aluminum die cast.Zinc diecast has a lower melting point which has advantages in the mold process when compared to aluminum . Zinc diecast has more corrosion resistance when compared to aluminum.Aluminum diecast is about 4 times stronger then zinc diecast. Aluminum is certainly the better choice if you require a strong and durable item.
Zinc is a superior material choice if you need parts produced quickly and economically. Aluminum diecasts are typically 3 to 4 times more costly compared to zinc diecast.

Bob Gaines,Shelby Enthusiast, Shelby Collector , Shelby Concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

shelbydoug

Quote from: Bob Gaines on May 05, 2024, 12:58:00 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on May 05, 2024, 09:46:53 AMAluminum block weight drops down to about 160 pounds and the aluminum heads combined to around 55 pounds.

Don't forget the "427 Lightweight" used a magnesium PI single 4v intake, and aluminum water pump and a aluminum HUB balancer.

It still couldn't compete with a lightweight 289 totaling around 450 pounds.

I don't remember anything about an aluminum flywheel or clutch cover back then but even the "lightweight 427" was somewhat of a monster for racing.

The big FE "bell" was cast iron v. aluminum for the 289.


I always wondered what the reason was for in casting the Holley carbs out of zinc rather then aluminum? There must be a technical reason for that since it seems so obvious to save weight there?
I had the same question in the past and after researching it a little found out that it is more economical first and foremost in large production.First off you should know that Zinc die cast has a significant part of aluminum in its alloy.The zinc die cast is not much heavier the aluminum die cast.Zinc diecast has a lower melting point which has advantages in the mold process when compared to aluminum . Zinc diecast has more corrosion resistance when compared to aluminum.Aluminum diecast is about 4 times stronger then zinc diecast. Aluminum is certainly the better choice if you require a strong and durable item.
Zinc is a superior material choice if you need parts produced quickly and economically. Aluminum diecasts are typically 3 to 4 times more costly compared to zinc diecast.



I can totally understand that for production carbs. I would have thought there would have been lighter Holley carbs for racing purposes.

Compare the weight of a Weber 48IDA to any Holley. They are very light.
68 GT350 Lives Matter!