My 67 GT-500 and it's original engine parted ways long before I aquired it. What exactly was the 67 GT-500 engine? How could I identify one if I saw it? What other unique parts were used other than the intake, carbs & valve covers? Were the blocks serialized? A local seller has a 428 from a 67 thunderbird and claims it's a P.I., it has the correct casting date. Good start or not?
Hello All ! noticed this group of questions and thought maybe this may help.When you look at the 97 Registry you cannot help but notice how many 428 engines were replaced under warranty,so if it helps you are not alone.All engines were built in Lima Ohio,then sent by rail to the various plants to be installed.The impressive dual quad intake setup on a 428 P.I. was most likely why so many failed early on.With today's technology you can easily build a reliable engine and the engine from the thunderbird may potentially be a correct starting point,if it passes a few tests which are crutial.# 1 is a magnaflux inspection to verify no cracks.# 2 is a sonic test to check for a concentric bore, then when it passes these tests you should begin a rebuild.There are a few people that are very knowledgeable Mike Ulrey in Florida and Ron Miller in California.It pays to do your homework first,and I hope this helps you,you have a ton of options including a new engine block from shelby or roush or ford racing--depending on your budget.Good luck and keep us posted.
67 T bird 428 would have the correct casting #, however 390 was also available in the T bird. The Shelby used heads and exhaust manifolds from the 390 GT mustange in order to clear the shock towers.If you arent sure what you are buying, you may be better off buying a complete unit from a knowledable seller than looking for individual parts.jmo
67 T-birds with a Q-code engine is the right bottom end. Then you need 67 390 GT heads which are common at most larger swap meets. The heads came on Mustangs, Cougars, Fairlanes and Comets.
All you need right here. Make sure it has the correct date for your car. This engine was built on November 17 1966. Hemmings Motor News: Car Parts - Hemmings Auto Classifieds featuring car parts for sale nation wide. Mike
Did these engines also use a 390 GT cam? How much earlier would engine casting dates precede the vehicle assembly date?
The big enemy of these engines was their oiling system. If you have ever had one apart and looked at where the oil pump bolts to the block, you know what I mean. Ford replaced a lot of 428's under warranty early on when they brought out the Cobra Jet. This engine shared the same oiling system as the GT-500 (a Cobra Jet is simply a 428 with a set of earlier low riser heads). As I remember it, Ford sent out a TSB instructing the techs to drill the passage out where the pump bolts to the block. You could do this with the engine in the car, as many of them were done. If you have the engine out, enlarging this passage as well as the one connecting to it that goes to the filter adaptor is good insurance. The reason they did this is the engine was first introduced in 1958 as the 332 - 352. The oiling system was the same. It was the first Ford V8 with hydraulic lifters. Ford thought they had to have maximum oil pressure to the lifters and they put in another giant restriction in the main oil galley at the back of the block. We used to drill out the main oil galley, and the cross passages to the main bearings. I still have the 2ft long drill bits we used to do this with.
