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Buy with confidence!
If for any reason
you're not
completely satisfied
with an item, simply
return it within 7
days and the
purchase price will
be refunded.
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We ship world wide.
All international
orders must be paid
online. Checks or
money orders drawn
on non-US banks will
not be accepted.
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Cylinder Head/Valvetrain - Big Block FE Series
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Ford big-block engines enjoy a wealth of available cylinder heads designed for performance use. It
is common knowledge that Ford engineers struggled a great deal when it came to port sizing. Ports
were typically too large or too small, with not much in between, when Ford was at its performance
peak. Large ports worked exceedingly well at high rpms on the race track, where they worked best
and flowed the most air. When these large ports found their way into street engines, low- and mid-
range torque suffered. Performance buffs have learned through the years that they can work with
off-the-shelf parts to achieve improved levels of low- and mid-range torque on the street.
Sometimes you have to shelve the big-port, closed-chamber heads to improve street performance.
This is a common issue with the 351C/351M/400M small-blocks. It is also true with the “FE” and 385-
series big-blocks.
Proper cylinder head, valvetrain and camshaft selection is everything when it comes to building a
performance engine. These components will have the most direct effect on output. Our objective is
to help you select the right combination for best results.
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Cylinder Heads
332/352/360/361/390/406/410/ 427/428
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Once you get past the casting
numbers and date code,
there's visual identification. On
the left is the 428 Cobra Jet
head, which is little more than
the 390 GT head (right) with
minor changes. The 390 GT
has slightly larger chambers
with smaller ports. Valve size is
slightly larger (2.08"/1.65"
versus 2.02"/1.55") on the
Cobra Jet head. Power gains
come from better air flow, which
comes from the Cobra Jet head.
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The “FE” series big-blocks enjoy a large selection of cylinder head choices. Some of these castings
are rare and decidedly expensive. Others will work as suitable substitutes for the exotic pieces. You
don’t always have to have a set of 427 Medium Risers or 428 Cobra Jets to infuse performance into
your “FE” series big-block.
It is important to remember that most of the “FE” engines had the same valve sizes throughout. For
example, the 332/352/360/361/390 and 410 all had 2.02-inch intake and 1.55-inch exhaust valves.
Differences lie mainly in combustion chamber size (compression ratio) and port size. Port size
doesn’t vary much amongst these engines. For example, the 390 High Performance head has the
same valve and port sizes as the early 427 High Performance head. This means you don’t have to
pay 427 prices in your quest for power. Huge differences exist when you step up to the 427 High
Riser and Tunnel Port heads. If you’re building a strong street “FE” engine, then you don’t need
anything beyond a Low Riser or Medium Riser head. And because the Low Riser head isn’t much
different than the 390 High Performance or many of the standard heads, you have a huge playing
field with which to work.
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When it comes to 427 heads,
we have three basics types,
not including the SOHC and
Tunnel Port. From left to right
are the Low Riser, Medium
Riser and High Riser. The
Low Riser is a fine street
head and isn't much different
than the 390/406 High
Performance casting. The
Medium Riser head gives a
better balance of street and
strip performance. It is a
compromise between the
High and Low Riser pieces.
The High Riser head (on the
right) has huge ports for
high-rpm operation. Its small
chambers yield much higher
compression ratios. These
heads do not interchange
well with other "FE"
displacements due to valve to
block interference. The 427
had the largest bores and
valves of the "FE" series
engines.
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Although you will likely never see them, those first 332/352 heads had machined combustion
chambers. Ford’s bean counters swiftly concluded machined combustion chambers were costly and
abandoned them for “as-cast” chambers. Machined chambers make little difference in performance.
Those first 1958-vintage heads set the standard for “FE” heads to follow. Aside from combustion
chamber size, standard “FE” heads didn’t change much. Valve sizes remained the same (2.02"/1.
55") for standard “FE” heads. So did port size. This makes interchangeability a snap, and with very
few exceptions.
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When you're scouting
for heads, keep the
exhaust ports in mind.
"FE" and "FT" heads
were configured with
three possible
exhaust manifold bolt
scenarios - 16-bolt,
14-bolt and 8-bolt.
This is a 428 Cobra
Jet head, which is a
16-bolt pattern. It fits
most "FE" and "FT"
engines.
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Previous | Next
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This has been a sample page from
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High Performance Ford Engine
Parts Interchange
by George Reid
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First-ever book about Ford parts interchange
Covers the entire range of Ford engines from
221-CID to 460-CID
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This is one of the best books ever written about Ford engines.
Covering both big- and small-block Ford V-8 engines, this
first-ever book on the subject provides indispensable information
to the Ford enthusiast. Included are high performance factory
parts, interchangeability between Ford Windsor and Cleveland
engines, extensive coverage of the 302 and 351 series as well as
the 352, 390, 406, 427, 428, 429, and 460 big block engines,
factory casting numbers, etc. Read the sample pages from each
chapter to learn more!
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Click below to view sample
pages from each chapter
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"If you are trying to mix and match cranks and rods, this book
will tell you if it can be done. If you are trying to find the correct
casting number for a Boss 429 distributor, this book will have it
listed. What we really find appealing about the book is that, not
only is it a perfect resource for those interested in factory
correct restorations, but it is equally as useful for the
performance oriented engine builder. Each chapter points out
building tips, such as how to improve a Cleveland's oiling
system, or what heads will yield the best horsepower gains. As
with all SA Design books, this one is filled with pages of detailed
photographs and diagrams. This book will prove to be a
priceless resource, as many of the original Ford V-8 parts
become harder and harder to come by." -- FORDMUSCLE
webmagazine, February, 2000
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Small Block Fords
Chap. 1 - Small Block Ford
Chap. 2 - Cylinder Block
Chap. 3 - Crankshaft & Rods
Chap. 4 - Oiling System
Chap. 5 - Cylinder Heads
Chap. 6 - Intake System
Chap. 7 - Ignition System
Chap. 8 - Exhaust Manifolds
Chap. 9 - Cooling System
Big Block Fords
Chap. 10 - Big Blocks
Chap. 11- Cylinder Block
Chap. 12 - Crankshaft & Rods
Chap. 13 - Oiling System
Chap. 14 - Cylinder Head
Chap. 15 - Intake System
Chap. 16 - Ignition System
Chap. 17 - Exhaust Manifolds
Chap. 18 - Cooling System
All Ford Engines
Chap. 19 - Gaskets
Chap. 20 - Engine Math
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Softbound
8-3/8 X 10-7/8
128 pages
Over 300 b/w photos
Item # SA56
Price: $18.95
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Click here to buy now!
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This is a great book that any Ford engine enthusiast or
engine builder is sure to love!
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Other items you might be interested in
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Musclecar & Hi-Po Engines Ford Big Block
‘Hot Rod’ reports on Ford's big block during the musclecar years.
Covers the 429 intro., 390 & 428 Cobra Jet, FE & 385 Family, 429
Boss, 427 Wedge, 352, 428 & 429, 460 development, 405hp,
aluminum heads.
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Price:
$18.95
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The Step by Step Guide to Engine Blueprinting
Practical methods for racing and rebuilding, selecting and preparing
parts, and how to buy machine shop work. This completely revised and
updated version containing an additional 32 pages is simply the best
book you can buy on engine preparation for street or racing! Engine
Blueprinting shows the reader how to use precision measuring tools,
calculate compression ratios, degree a camshaft, and much more!
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Price:
$18.95
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Ford Performance
This book contains a huge section devoted to some of the most
powerful FE big blocks ever built including the 390, 406, 427 and
428. Even the rare 427 SOHC cammer is covered by this book.
The Cleveland engine family receives extensive coverage,
including detailed differences between the members of this family
and interchangeability among them. The 429 and 460 also have
an entire section dedicated to them. Even the mighty Boss 429 is
discussed and your walked step by step through the build up of a
performance 460.
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Price:
$Discontinued
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How to Build Max Performance Ford V-8s on a Budget
This book addresses high-performance V-8 engines such as the
289, 302, 351ci small-blocks found in Mustangs, as well as the FE
series of big-blocks. Emphasis throughout is a budget approach
to building high performance powerplants through the use of
over-the-counter factory components and selected aftermarket
pieces. Includes realistic, low-cost formulas for building serious
horsepower in Ford V-8 engines.
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Price:
$18.95
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Shipping is combined and discounted for multiple item purchases!
Buy more and save on shipping!
We ship Worldwide! See International Shipping for more information!
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Search Our Store for More Great Items!
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FAST AND EFFICIENT SERVICE
We believe customer service and online retail can coexist. Our policy is to treat customers the way we
would like to be to treated. We strive to describe all items correctly. You have many options online,
but we believe our service is the best. We work around the clock to fill orders and ship items within
one business day. It is our goal to serve the customer before, during and after the checkout process.
Why gamble with your money and purchase from other sellers? We look forward to doing business
with you now and in the future.
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FAST SHIPPING
Items usually ship within one business day of receipt of payment! We keep large quantities on hand
and have a state of the art inventory management system to ensure your items are in stock and ready
to ship.
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YES, WE HAVE A RETURN POLICY
Satisfaction is guaranteed. Our store has a NO HASSLE RETURN POLICY within 7 days of purchase.
Your exchange will be processed upon receipt. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, our
knowledgeable team will do their best to make sure you get what you are looking for.
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QUALITY AND AFFORDABILITY
Why pay retail when you can save money and benefit from our purchasing power? We stock large
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We have a COMBINED SHIPPING incentive whereby each additional item adds $1.95 to the s/h. The
more you buy, the more you can save!
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SHIPPING
Standard shipping is a flat rate of $4.95 to anywhere in the United States with USPS Media Mail.
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If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us. We look forward to serving you
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Thanks for your business!
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MRE
PO Box 47, 4021 20th St
Grinnell, IA 50112
customerservice@mre-books.com
Phone (641) 260-0227
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