Customer has one that runs very strong,but uses some oil.Basically traced it back to the rings..anyway..what a PITA to get the motor out.Ended up removing the passenger side exhaust manifold so the motor could come out. I don't know how guys even get to the damn sparkplugs. Another observation,these motors sure have a crappy looking exhaust port!

I have a set of those heads in my garage.........well close 396 GT heads & yes crappy design.


don't ask why I have them..........long painful story

A friend of mine has a 68 GT390 Mustang. Those motors are stuffed in there with a shoe horn. I still question how he got the headers in? He explains and I still don't believe him so I alway ask him again and again and again!

All those unibody Fords are knucklebusters once you fit them with a 390 or larger.

BTW, don't let a Chevy guy build that engine. They have their own quirks.

Having said that, I still love the style of those Mach Is & Boss 302s. The small block 221-400s are 60 degree and therefore narrower that the typical 90 degree engine (all the rest).

the left rear plug on one of those which I think would be #4 on a Ford(?) you have to remove the exh. manifold if it's in the car....can you say shoe horn and a can opener?

the left rear plug on one of those which I think would be #4 on a Ford(?) you have to remove the exh. manifold if it's in the car....can you say shoe horn and a can opener?


The Ford Guys don't mind if you gring down an exhaust manifold.

I shouldn't say this.... cuz I'm on the wrong forum.... and I'm gonna get beat up.... AND I love my Chevelle with a passion.....but,













I like Ford's better. Even with all their "Well, was it built on a Wednesday afternoon, or Thursday morning, they're different waterpumps." BS. I guess I'm just not a Chevy guy. I had to re learn lots of stuff when I started working on the 400 in my Chevelle versus the 351w in my Fairmont. I dunno, I guess Dad likes Fords, so that's what I grew up with! Justin

And no, you're right! We don't mind if you grind down a manifold. Hell, we almost prefer it! :D

I shouldn't say this.... and I'm gonna get beat up....
I like Ford's better.


I motion that Justin be BANNED from Team Chevelle forever!:D

I worked on a 390 for my father-in-law a few years ago. Some additional notes;

1) Good luck getting the exhaust manifold to seal to the head...

2) For that matter, good luck finding an exhaust manifold that isn't cracked...

I motion that Justin be BANNED from Team Chevelle forever!:D

X2 :)

I shouldn't say this.... cuz I'm on the wrong forum.... and I'm gonna get beat up.... AND I love my Chevelle with a passion.....but,


I like Ford's better. Even with all their "Well, was it built on a Wednesday afternoon, or Thursday morning, they're different waterpumps." BS. I guess I'm just not a Chevy guy. I had to re learn lots of stuff when I started working on the 400 in my Chevelle versus the 351w in my Fairmont. I dunno, I guess Dad likes Fords, so that's what I grew up with! Justin

:mad::angry::(:sad::pout:
:boxing::boxing::boxing::boxing:

"SPEED KILLS"
Drive a FORD and live forever !!!!!
Bob:hurray:

351 W in a Fairmont? There was a Zephyr Z7 around here for awhile with a 460 and there was still a good amount of room under the hood to work on it. Fast too! BUT I do prefer Chevies.

Years ago I had a 67 390 GT Mustang w/power brakes and of course the GT exhaust manifolds. After an hour and a half trying to change the plugs with two extensions and a universal between them I discovered the trick... you remove the valve covers and there they were. They didn't take much longer than my current small block after that. You just had to get valve cover gaskets when you bought plugs.

Years ago I had a 67 390 GT Mustang w/power brakes and of course the GT exhaust manifolds. After an hour and a half trying to change the plugs with two extensions and a universal between them I discovered the trick... you remove the valve covers and there they were. They didn't take much longer than my current small block after that. You just had to get valve cover gaskets when you bought plugs.



OOOOh so maybe THAT was F*rds 'better idea':D

Don't get me started on some of GM's better ideas! lol

There's a reason Chevy's are easier to work on.... you have to do it more often! hahahahaha


OK, Ok, I'll stop. I know i'm picking on the wrong group here! I love all cars, honestly. A fast car is a fast car, and an ugly car is still a Dodge in my book! :D Justin

Just wait till you try one with the AIR pump and fittings still intact.

Just wait till you try one with the AIR pump and fittings still intact.

This car is 100% correct and AIR pump and fittings are still present.

My neighbor is a Mustang nut.... he's got a 70 boss 302, 65 Gt Fastback (K code) and an 05 GT Vert..... all sharp cars.:yes:

Tell me about it Chris!! :yes:
My daily driver in the early/mid '70 was a '68 Shelby 500KR...4 speed/ two 4 bbl Holleys.
I STILL remember the hassle changing those plugs. :( The AIR pump made it even more fun.
And with a dual point distributor (no electronic ignition back then) you did plug changes often.
But, a fun car to drive! Pulled the motor for it's first rebuild at 20K miles. ;)
The car did run 11.8's though. :cool:

If anyone ever finds a '69 Mach1 428 Cobra Jet with California plates SGB 925 (or was that 925 SGB?) - that is my first muscle car! The California DMV privacy laws prevent me from tracking it down that way. I got into so much trouble, tickets, crashes, unintended spin outs, man that was great fun :) It was Acapulco Blue, gold stipes, black guts, 4 speed, competition suspension, shaker scoop. Its been 25 years since I sold it, I heard that the next owner painted it brown :(

It was completey impossible to change spark plugs - until the worthless (to me) air injection system was removed. Even then it was tough. I raced it at the long since gone O.C.I.R. dragstrip. Massive tire spin on the cheap tires of the day through first and second gears. Stone stock it ran lowish 14's at 102 mph. On the street with a rolling start it ate up quicker cars because of the great low down torque.

One day for some reason my brother was driving my Mach 1 and he had to pick up my mom. She complained that it was noisy and that you couldn't hear the radio above the engine noise, she wondered out loud "why does Thomas like this car". My quick witted brother said he knew why, he then floored it. My mom asked him if he had put it in passing gear or something, and he told her that no, he hadn't down shifted at all.

Thomas

A good friend of mine is putting his 69 Mach 1 SUPER Cobra Jet up for sale next month... 1 of FOUR! I was on hand 10 years ago when he got this car, he would have sold it to me for $10,000, I wanted it bad.... now, he says it's worth $40,000, he never touched it. Red on red, oil cooler, drag pack, SWEET car. Original paint, but the 428 is gone. It's got a hot 351 Cleveland in it now, Shaker hood.... car makes me drool. :) Justin

Engine compartment visual
http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/b2/34/5abe_3.JPG
This one does not have the air injection system, and it looks much like mine did - save for being a "Q" code non-shaker.

There were far more than four '69 Super Cobra Jet Mach 1's made (the Marti Report lists 3,181 428 SCJ Mustangs - overwhelmingly in Mach 1's, and another 191 428 SCJ Shelby's for 1969 production) , but if you want to get picky with a Marti Report of how many were made with specific combinations of options then you can say something like: "one of four Super Cobra Jet Mach 1's with a Raven Black exterior and white vinyl interior...etc."
http://i13.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/b2/34/ee17_3.JPG
I've seen some entertaining Marti Reports, too bad the info is not available for Chevelles. To get a "Super" Cobra jet, also known as the "Drag Pack", all one needed to do was to select either the 3.91 or 4.30 gears along with the 428 Cobra jet engine - to be sure, the buyer got a lot more than just the gears with the package. Also for sure, there were more than four ordered with the 3.91 or 4.30 gears. http://www.428cobrajet.com/cj-vs-scj.html

Thomas

If anyone ever finds a '69 Mach1 428 Cobra Jet with California plates SGB 925 (or was that 925 SGB?) - that is my first muscle car! The California DMV privacy laws prevent me from tracking it down that way. I got into so much trouble, tickets, crashes, unintended spin outs, man that was great fun :) It was Acapulco Blue, gold stipes, black guts, 4 speed, competition suspension, shaker scoop. Its been 25 years since I sold it, I heard that the next owner painted it brown :(

It was completey impossible to change spark plugs - until the worthless (to me) air injection system was removed. Even then it was tough. I raced it at the long since gone O.C.I.R. dragstrip. Massive tire spin on the cheap tires of the day through first and second gears. Stone stock it ran lowish 14's at 102 mph. On the street with a rolling start it ate up quicker cars because of the great low down torque.

One day for some reason my brother was driving my Mach 1 and he had to pick up my mom. She complained that it was noisy and that you couldn't hear the radio above the engine noise, she wondered out loud "why does Thomas like this car". My quick witted brother said he knew why, he then floored it. My mom asked him if he had put it in passing gear or something, and he told her that no, he hadn't down shifted at all.

Thomas

My Grandma is pretty much the same way about the Chevelle. She complains about how noisy it is, but. 90% of the time when I come home she doesn't hear it. And I always back it into the driveway.

The other 10% when she actually sees the car she complains about how loud it is. Go figure that one out. :p

To some people a car is just a car, something to get you from point a to point b. The Chevelle is that but it is also so much more, at least to me. You just can't beat mowin through the gears on a 4 speed with a big block in front of you. Or just getting out on the road late at night and going just fast enough that you don't need to use the breaks. You can just kind of coast through the turns.

I had to drive her down to the senior center today. She asked if we were going to take her car or the Chevelle. So me being a smart ass youth. I said "Would you even ride in the Chevelle anyway?" I didn't say it in a snotty tone, I had a smile on my face.

I enjoy these cars way to much to have them parked in the garage just because of a little rain, or snow depending where I am at.

Here is a pic of my friend Nick's motor. I see the wires but I still dont think is has spark plugs, I can't see them:D

Having said that, I still love the style of those Mach Is & Boss 302s. The small block 221-400s are 60 degree and therefore narrower that the typical 90 degree engine (all the rest).

No, they are most assuredly plain old 90 degree engines. The 221 - 302's (Windsors) are small because of their low deck height. Get into a 351 Windsor with its higher deck, and it's quite comparable to a smallblock Chevy in external size.

The "mid-block" Clevelands are another bear, but still 90 degree cylinder banks.

Yes, I realize they made many of these, and yes, it was a Marti Report that labeled it 1 of 4, not something he clung onto all these years just because. It's a badass Mustang, with a Shaker hood, Red on Red, and has all the go fast goodies of the day. Which, IMO, makes me want it pretty bad, whether or not it's super rare. Still a cool car. Justin.


Engine compartment visual
http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/b2/34/5abe_3.JPG
This one does not have the air injection system, and it looks much like mine did - save for being a "Q" code non-shaker.

There were far more than four '69 Super Cobra Jet Mach 1's made (the Marti Report lists 3,181 428 SCJ Mustangs - overwhelmingly in Mach 1's, and another 191 428 SCJ Shelby's for 1969 production) , but if you want to get picky with a Marti Report of how many were made with specific combinations of options then you can say something like: "one of four Super Cobra Jet Mach 1's with a Raven Black exterior and white vinyl interior...etc."
http://i13.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/b2/34/ee17_3.JPG
I've seen some entertaining Marti Reports, too bad the info is not available for Chevelles. To get a "Super" Cobra jet, also known as the "Drag Pack", all one needed to do was to select either the 3.91 or 4.30 gears along with the 428 Cobra jet engine - to be sure, the buyer got a lot more than just the gears with the package. Also for sure, there were more than four ordered with the 3.91 or 4.30 gears. http://www.428cobrajet.com/cj-vs-scj.html

Thomas

Yes, I realize they made many of these, and yes, it was a Marti Report that labeled it 1 of 4, not something he clung onto all these years just because. It's a badass Mustang, with a Shaker hood, Red on Red, and has all the go fast goodies of the day. Which, IMO, makes me want it pretty bad, whether or not it's super rare. Still a cool car. Justin.

Your opinion doesn't count Ford fan boy. :D:p

Your opinion doesn't count Ford fan boy. :D:p
:D:D:thumbsup:

Here is a pic of my friend Nick's motor. I see the wires but I still dont think is has spark plugs, I can't see them:D

The early Mustang engine bays are remarkably similar to the early Nova engine bays. The shock towers really make the engine a tight fit. Guys who are spoiled with the cavernous Chevelle engine compartments notice this right away.

It isn't being spoiled its just superior engineering. :D

Your opinion doesn't count Ford fan boy. :D:p


LOL you guys ever seen a Chevelle with a DOHC Cobra motor? keep it up, and you will! hahahahaha That would get your panties in a bunch now wouldn't it! :yes:

Not as much as seeing a Nissan motor in a '68 Fastback. But yes it would be twisting them pretty hard. :p

I guess I should clarify one thing. I like cars from the early 70's back from each of the big three. But hearing that blasphem sent me into a panic/rage. :D:p

in my High school there were two very fast cars....... one was a retired super stock dodge max wedge 4 speed an the other was a 428 CJ drag pack car...needless to say the police were waiting everyday at 3pm for us to leave the parking lot !!!the funny thing was the parking lots was full of HI-PERF cars of all models & makes..... BUT no one messed with these two cars for some reason :thumbsup:

A 1969 Mach I 428 CJ inspired me to build a 12 second street car.
So, 33 years later I had one.

Better late than never. :D

I also had a 68 fastback w/289 borg warner T-10, open rear
No headers, Hurst Comp+ shifter.
I bought this car when I was 18.
Yes, I had a bunch of fun in it.
Red on Red

If I could get a nice 69 I think I would do it.

A 1969 Mach I 428 CJ inspired me to build a 12 second street car.
So, 33 years later I had one.

Better late than never. :D

I also had a 68 fastback w/289 borg warner T-10, open rear
No headers, Hurst Comp+ shifter.
I bought this car when I was 18.
Yes, I had a bunch of fun in it.
Red on Red

If I could get a nice 69 I think I would do it.

As would anyone else. :D

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :p

"SPEED KILLS"
Drive a FORD and live forever !!!!!
Bob:hurray:

HAHAHAHAHA

I'm not sure about that living forever part. My dad had a pretty fast '57 Fairlane. Bored out 406 and a T-10.

Ergh....No room for header gaskets in this one, only that copper sealer junk...If you had good aim. Right before I sold it the batt cable came loose at the starter.....Yeah, good luck Almost had to pull the motor out for that one.

I sure know how to pick em....460 pulled like a train though!! :thumbsup:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/kalthoff1/Scan10002-1.jpg


Wanna really cry about something hard to work on? Try this one on for size, even the factory left most of the exhaust manifold studs out for a reason.

This one has taught me patience, believe me!!!

Any time I have to wrench on it I curse myself and wonder why I ever got it...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/kalthoff1/zr1019.jpg

And then I remember why....Like a girlfriend gone bad...Just cant say no


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/kalthoff1/PHOT0086.jpg

Is this where we post our Ford pics? :p
Sorry for the poor quality. It's a 10yr old scan of a 20yr old polaroid.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2352000-2352999/2352880_1_full.jpg

If I could get a nice 69 I think I would do it.


As would anyone else. :D

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :p



Now you got me thinking.