Block weight

[shelbymann1970]

Anyone have a ballpark what a bare 428 block with a crank and damper on it would weigh? Breakdown even? Block, Crank? Thanks.

[Coralsnake]

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

I will see ifI can find it

[68stangcjfb]

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.

[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.

[shelbymann1970]

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.

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.

[shelbymann1970]

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.

Thanks Royce. Gary

[Coralsnake]

This was titled 427 engine - prototype

[shelbymann1970]

THANKS Pete!

[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.

[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?

[Bob Gaines]

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?

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.

[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?

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.