[Txbobcat]

Got a 428 for free on craigslist. Shortblock complete 69 model 360 horse.
Just got it back from the overhaul shop today. The ram air heads I bought are getting a new valve job should be done this week.
This is going to replace the 389 I have in my 65 catalina convertible that I put a 323 posi in last year.
I doubt I have 25k on the 389 . Hopefully I can sell it before I pull it out
.I figure all in I will be at $2200 for the 428 minus what I get for the 389.
I just figured I couldnt pass up a free 428.
Wife wasnt happy for a day or two but life goes on.

[GT182]

A 428 for free, I wouldn't pass it up either. Congrats.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Is there going to be a build thread (pretty please), we need a 428 build!
Maybe throw a picture in the mix of your wife's "unhappy" face...

Which RA heads?

[1969GiPper]

Originally Posted by Txbobcat

Got a 428 for free on craigslist. Shortblock complete 69 model 360 horse.
Just got it back from the overhaul shop today. The ram air heads I bought are getting a new valve job should be done this week.
This is going to replace the 389 I have in my 65 catalina convertible that I put a 323 posi in last year.
I doubt I have 25k on the 389 . Hopefully I can sell it before I pull it out
.I figure all in I will be at $2200 for the 428 minus what I get for the 389.
I just figured I couldnt pass up a free 428.
Wife wasnt happy for a day or two but life goes on.

Is the 389 the original (numbers matching) engine for the Catalina? If yes and before you sell it make sure you won’t some day want it to be a numbers matching car again.

[Txbobcat]

Once I get the 428 in I wont need the engine. The 428 short block was overhauled bored 30 over stuck in a 068 cam. Gathering parts like lifters head bolts push rods etc.
Ram air heads will be done this weekend i think. Thinking on exhaust. Would like the long branch manifolds but not at near $600 plus pipes and all.
I bought this car Jan 1st 1999 this one is iris mist and black convertible top auto. Bought my first 65 convert in 1970 when I got home from Viet Nam traded it for a super bee but I have had 2 other 65s but only 2 convertibles. This one isnt leaving till I die.

[Txbobcat]

I advertised wanting a 428 or 455 on craigslist. Got some high priced guys email me one was $6000 and I think the other was $4500. When this guy emailed me and said free I jumped on that. He even loaded it in my truck for me. Only had to go 20 miles to go get it. Wife is doing better now but I never tell her what I spend on my cars so she probably thinks $500 or so. She did ask why I needed a bigger engine and I told her it was for safety. She said how is a bigger motor gonna to make you safe and I said I can get the hell out of the way if I need to.

[goatwgn]

Very good score! Nice find!

[tom s]

Have you addressed the CR on what this engine(428) will be?Have the head shop CC the heads.Was the 428 over bored and were dished pistons put back in it?Head off detonation issues before the engine gets complete and in the car.JMO,tom

[rohrt]

Your winning at life!

[Txbobcat]

The heads going in are 72cc same as original heads. Adding an 068 cam. The pistons are flat top pistons so hopefully I will be ok on pump gas even if I have to run super.
And my 389 is sold. Thanks PY

[Skip Fix]

Doubt a 72cc head and a flat top will be good on pump gas especially with a small cam.

[tom s]

Remember factory 428s had dished pistons!And that was for good quality gas.Tom

[tom s]

if 30 over, zero deck and 72 CCs with a flat top and a 39 gasket you are over 11 to 1.Race gas is in you future.Sell the heads and get a set of larger CC volumes alu D port.Good luck with your project.Tom

[b-man]

A pair of 6X-4 heads would be a good choice for premium pump gas use.

The 72cc heads will be nothing but a headache if you don’t swap the pistons to at least 20cc dished pistons.

Built my ‘64 421 HO with 26cc dished pistons using the 068 cam and original 72cc heads.

[Txbobcat]

Ok I am going to get some other heads for this. I dont want detonation problems or blowing the motor either. Do you guys think 98cc heads will be Ok. 4x. or do I need to try to find some 100 cc heads.. And question 2 will my power steering and alternator brackets fit onto later heads like 6x 5c or 7m5.
The 13 heads I have may be for sale. Fresh valve job and mild port job by Elliot port works. Never mounted in fact I havent even picked them up yet.

[tom s]

I used a set of milled 96s with my 30 over 421.We have it right at 9.5 with a Butler 46 thou head gasket.Tom

[77 TRASHCAN]

I do know that brackets/pulleys can be different, although not an expert...Bart!

[quicksilver97ta]

I'm trying to help Bob get steered in the right direction with this build. I do know it's a budget build on the short block so, it is not zero decked. Hopefully it's a decent replacement piston and no more than 0.20 down in the hole like stock usually is and hopefully dished like stock since they didn't ask him anything about it.. Definitely hope it's not those cheap 8 eyebrow jobs that set even deeper in the hole, that would be a whole another set of problems. I've asked him to find out just exactly what they used.
Heads are advertised at 72 cc's but I know they are larger, just guessing 76 or even 78 cc. We will have them measured and find out for sure. I know Lloyd just slightly milled them to clean them up.
Once we know these key things we can get a pretty close static compression ratio number and go from there.

[tooski]

Info from the forums is that 4X heads are undesirable. Any late model heads should have enough bolt holes for the desired bracketry.
Use this CR calculator: http://www.wallaceracing.com/cr_test2.php

['ol Pinion head]

I'd watch for a pair of done up big valve converted '70 15's. Have sent several clean pair of '70 model 15 cores to S Texas over years. you might even be able to find a pair that had a modest street port job.