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OUR 427 FE FINDS A HOME
Remember the bored/stroked Ford FE engine that we built recently? This began with a 427 FE block, bored and stroked to 485 CID. If you missed it, just click on the engine project build tab for the entire series of build articles.
The engine found its home in a 1964 Comet AFX clone built by Birchwood Automotive in Creston, Ohio. Built as a period-correct copy of one of Don Nicholson’s drag cars, the bored and stroked 485 CID FE engine dyno’d at 508 HP.
The FE was a tight fit. The shock towers were relocated outboard to make room.
The Comet features all of the fiberglass body goodies that were used on the original AFX, including front bumper, teardrop hood, front fenders, doors and trunk lid. The front suspension was moved outboard to accommodate the big ‘ol FE. The engine is coupled to a Ford C6 trans. Remakes of the old M&H “pie crust” drag slicks are fitted to the rear, along with the old style traction bars that are welded to the rear axle tubes and pivot on forward bushings. Subframes are tied together to “reduce” body twist. Air is jammed into the carb via 6” ducts and a cast aluminum airbox. The owner probably won’t run the car down the strip (mostly a cruiser and car show application), but during our shakedown test runs on local country roads, she lays two equidistant patches of rubber measured at 43 ft (rubber would continue to churn, but I had to eventually lift throttle). Even when cruising at about 35 MPH, with the pedal stomped and passing gear engaged, the rear tires instantly lit and result in a big ‘ol s-eating driver’s grin When the front brakes are held by the line lock, she quickly fills the surrounding area with enough burnt rubber smoke to impress even the most jaded drag fan. Once the slicks warm up, the front of the Comet leaps about 1.5 ft off the ground and the torque tries to twist the body counterclockwise in a vicious manner. Engine response is very quick, and fun is had by all. I just thought you’d get a kick out of seeing this.
The reproduction aluminum airbox is fed by two 6″ diameter high-heat duct hoses and air inlet buckets that replace the original inboard headlights.
Reproduction M&H slicks provide the stance and bite.
Graphics duplicate one of the original AFX competition cars that was campaigned in the mid ’60s.
The fiberglass teardrop hood features gold leaf lightening bolts and the bold 427 I.D.
UPCOMING ENGINE BUILDS
Just as a heads-up, we have two more builds planned. The first involves the use of a Dart 351W block. I’ll bore and stroke this bad boy to a whopping 427 CID (4.125 bore and 4.000” stroke with 6.200” rods). This build will feature a Scat stroker crank and Scat rods, JE forged pistons, Moroso oil pan and valve covers, Trick Flow heads, a Lunati hydraulic roller cam, MAHLE Clevite bearings and gaskets, a Race Pumps billet hydraulic fuel pump, ARP fasteners, and more.
The second build will involve an old-school favorite Ford flathead. Starting with a restored 8BA block, I’ll build this puppy using a full compliment of Egge components, along with a Scat stroker crank and rods, Edelbrock 65cc heads and intake .
Each of these engines will be built with the street rodder in mind. In addition to kicking out some additional ponies, each engine will be fully dressed-out from a cosmetic standpoint, with fully ground, polished and painted blocks, with more detailing than you can shake a stick at. They’ll be true eye-candy pieces. In addition to being featured in detail editorially, both engines will be on display at the Hot Rod & Restoration show in Indianapolis, March 11-13, 2010.
Tags: 427 FE, Comet AFX, FORD, Race, VINTAGE
