Basically, a 428 is just a stroked 390, and tuned for massive torque over horsepower. Cast iron exhaust manifolds. We have 2 blocks here-both are 428s but one has some additional webbing on the main bearings. The factory ratings were intentionally low for insurance reasons. Comparison of Major 428 Engine Components, 1968 428 Cobra Jet Drag Strip Modifications, 428 CJ Mustangs at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals, Classic Mustang Warranty Plate/Certification Label Decoder, Cast iron, similar to PI with revised carburetor bore risers, relocated carburetor pad, and radiused riser to upper and lower logs to improve fuel/air distribution, Production 390 GT cast iron light car manifolds, Redesigned high flow, low restriction unique to the 428 CJ, Redesigned dual inlet with hot/cold start-up system. Though I've seen references to engineering numbers on flexplates, I've never actually seen any kind of stamped or cast number on a flexplate. Say Cyclone CJ. The 396 was known in Bow Tie circles as the Mark IV and was further known as the "mystery motor" because it was developed in secret for the '64 Daytona 500. Royce: thanx for the clarification. In the August 1968 issue of Super Stock & Drag Illustrated magazine, a 68 Cougar XR7-GT tripped the quarter-mile in 13.23 seconds, traveling at 103.4 miles per hour. However, a 4-speed option was also available. Pontiac had its GTO as well as the new twin sister to the Camaro, the Firebird, and each was available with a 400ci engine. The SCJ had beefier rods and an oil cooler. All FE dampers are neutrally balanced, so all can be interchanged between motors if you understand the pulley requirements. What makes the 428 Super Cobra Jet engine so super? Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Engine - The History Of - MotorTrend I want to register an account for free right now! While the print ad boasted leading the way, the Cyclone CJ ended up closer to the middle of the pack in 1969, coming in 12th overall in factory supercar quarter-mile times published that year. The 390 big-block version of the Mustang ran fairly well--well enough to post mid-15-second times in the quarter-mile. Every 1969 Mustang Mach 1 (72,458) came in the SportsRoof fastback body style, equipped with a V-8 engine ranging from a 351W 2V to the 428 CID Cobra Jet 4V with or without Ram Air. This summary comparison of major 428 engine components was prepared by Bill Barr, Principal Engineer for the 428 Cobra Jet engine development program at Ford Motor Company. are identical. The 390 Mustang was getting abused at the drag strip by Chevrolets new 396 powered Camaro. Besides I have a reputation now First you have to start with the 428 v.s. A forum community dedicated to Mercury Cougar owners and enthusiasts. In fact, the 428 was listed at 335 hp, the same as the 390. Cobra Jet | Hot Rod Forum Also, there is an S between the 8 & the C Cobra Make, Engine: I Wish, Just an old truck with an FE, Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham 427 (KMP 266); CAV GT40, also forged pistons,and an electronically balanced crank shaft on the SCJ;all reliability issues not HP ones. According to the excellent Boss and Cobra Jet Mustangs by Dr. John Craft, this is how the Cobra Jet was born. not a chance, the 428 scj would out pull the 460 hands down. The valves are bigger but the real improvement is the exhaust port which is both wider internally and straighter plus higher exit point in the casting. "A standard 428 will have a U1 crankshaft ballanced on the inside of the ballancer but weight added on crankshaft . It was fortuitous that Tasca Ford nudged Fordand Ford listenedbecause the 428 Cobra Jets and Super Cobra Jets are amongst the baddest Ford Muscle Cars you could drive off the lot from 1968-1970. What is the difference between a 428 and 429. SCJs seem to use the C6AE-E rod most frequently, though again I've seen written reference to a C9ZE-A rod that I haven't been able to confirm was ever actually factory installed. But there was one thing about the 428 CJ that left everyone puzzled. The value is markedly different (about double). Ford released a few high performance variants of the 429, including the Boss 429 and the Cobra Jets. The engine was widely praised for its performance and design, and it was by far the most powerful Ford production motor available. However, in true Cobra Jet fashion, Ford underestimated the horsepower from the factory. Ordering either of these axle ratio options commonly triggered a few other upgrades as well, including the 428 Super Cobra Jet engine, an external oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator, and relocation of the driver's side horn to the passenger side of the radiator core support to make room for the oil cooler. The 428 Cobra Jet powered some of the fastest Ford Muscle Cars from 1968 to 1970, over nine Ford and Mercury models. Ford branded the new 428 the Ford Cobra Jet engine, and they also put it in the Fairlane and Torino. In April 1968, Ford introduced the Cobra Jet, built from a 428 Police Interceptor short block with 427 low riser heads, among other heavier-duty performance partssimilar to what Holman Moody had invented. The A blocks were made until mid 1968 model year. Ford 428s had a different water jacket core which can often be identified by the "428" cast in the bottom of the inner water jacket right under the center freeze plug. Performance options aplenty: tach, styled steel wheels, power front disc brakes, power steering, Traction-Lok differential (3.50, 3.91 or 4.30 axel ratios), bucket seats, racing mirroryou name it. In fourth place is the 1968 Mercury 428 Cyclone GT. (REGISTERED USERS DO NOT SEE THIS POST/AD! 428 Cobra Jet Standard was 2.09 inch intake and 1.66 inch exhaust valves. Ford really got it right with the 1968 428 Cobra Jet (CJ). FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428) - difference in 428 blocks? Ford quickly caught the vision, and before the drag-ready Mustang returned to Tasca Ford, Ford Engineers removed it from the vehicle so they could reverse engineer it for mass production. That didnt happen until 69. For the 429 Ford Cobra Jet carbs, there were either 715 cfm or 780 cfm 4 bbl options. In seventh place is the 1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra. Cobra Make, Engine: Previous ERA owner on break, Just a note on the LeMans rods. In 1968, Ford released the first versions of their now famed V8 Cobra Jet engines. The C blocks started to be used in mid 1967 before the CJ production started. Slightly smaller in bore but longer in stroke, the 428 ran smoothly in street trim, but it was still a very powerful engine, with mountains of torque. In the January 1969 issue of Popular Hot Rodding, a 69 Mach 1 CJ 428 ran a 13.69-second ET with a trap speed of 103.4 miles per hourmaking it the tenth fastest muscle car of 1969. The 429 Ford Cobra Jet pumped out 370 horsepower, while the Super Cobra Jets pushed out 375 horsepower. What's the difference between a 428, a 428 Cobra Jet and a 428 SCJ? Or With a few minor modifications, however, the 428 would really scream, and by the time the '68s came around, Ford was ready to rock and roll. It was powered exclusively by a 428 in either CJ or SCJ fashion. non biased Shelby Cobra related site! A common misconception seems to be that SCJs were originally equipped with forged pistons and CJs were originally equipped with cast pistons. The back of the CJ block should have a "C" cast or welded into the back of it. You can have it straight (CJ 428) or with optional CJ 428 Ram, the breathtaker. Sold it, big mistake. A special option available for 1969 in the Cobra Jet Mustang included a 428 with internal modifications. If it's to be a "driver", compression needs to be lowered to use "pump . That is, the performance motors were either a CJ or a SCJ. Additionally, Ford simplified several exterior styling features due to a sales dip in 1969 attributed to aggressive styling. It may be possible to mix components if every component of the reciprocating assembly is dynamically balanced, but why bother? Super Cobra Jets also had oil coolers as standard, which were options for the Cobra Jets. Enter Bob Tasca, a Ford dealer who had a history of experimenting with Ford big-blocks for his dealership-sponsored race cars. In addition, when equipped with a 4-speed, the rear shocks were staggered. The company was aware of the new Camaro project brewing over at Chevrolet.