67-68 gt 500's why wasn't the 427 used?

It was way to frickin expensive? It was a racing engine that was worth as much a Mustang (or more). The Mustang never offered the 427, so it's logical that the Shelby would not have it either.

 

Bingo.

 

On the other hand, Mercury cougars had the GTE's with the non solid lifter 427 motor. [Could have been an Us vs Them thing].

 

Two factors went into the decision to not roll out the 427 extensively. One factor was certainly the expense of it. Secondly was the fact that 427's, being so thin cylinder walled, needed a separate assembly line at the foundry to cool them slowly. Bottom line.....they were a pain in the ass to produce.

More than half of the GT-E production with 427's took place on February 23, 1968. All were built in Dearborn and they likely had to disrupt regular production in order to build these cars. Disrupting production was frowned on. In the Winter of '68 it was known the 428 CJ was coming. It wasn't a PITA to produce, hence , the death of the 427. The 68 Cougar is the only car to get a 427 that year and the last of the era.

I own a VIN stamped engine from a 427 GTE. Anyone know where I can get an original GT-E body/parts? Please call me 248-867-3522 Ray

 

As I understand it, the 427 WAS to be an optional engine in the 68 mustang using an engine code W in the VIN. It was to be the hydraulic lifter version but none were ever ordered or produced according to Kevin Marti.

 

As was mention by another the 427 was apparently a pain to produce and also expensive. Because of those two factors the 427 was in short supply.It is a documented fact that a large number of 427 Cobras actually came with 428 PI engines because of cost and availability. The 427 Cobras produced in England at AC for European consumption(COB + COX) did not get 427's or even 428's but the tried and true 289 Hipo partially because of availability. Back in the states the bean counters were overruled later on as more 427 engines were secured and used to the end of 67 Cobra production. It is also a matter of record that in 1967 CS thought about offering a 427 version of the GT500 but the cost of the 67 GT500 and the cost to retrofit the 427 engine caused the retail price of the car to approach very close to the cost of a 427 Cobra.The Cobra was considered pricey back in the day and they didn't walk off the floor ether. Because of this retail selling price only a couple factory 427 GT500's were produced and sold which definitely substantiates Coralsnakes statement. The cheaper to produce 428 Cobrajet was the obvious choice to be included in the Mustang car line over the 427 . Price may not be the only reason for the none use but It is a safe bet it is the main reason IMHO. Bob

 

Yes ,the 427 equipped 67 GT500's are accounted for .The one referred to as the Super Snake In the registry is reasonably restored and the others are in the process last time I heard.Bob

 

Does anyone remember the number of 427 Cobra's that actually came with the 428 motors? I remember hearing that a good portion of them did not get the side oiler due to supply issues!

 

Could someone please describe the major differences between the 427 and 428? I'm curious about the bore and stroke of the two also.

 

The Cougar thing is a urban legend. Someone my have Shelby ized some Cougars but it wasn't Shelby. The Shelby American Automobile club has no record to substantiate a Shelby ized Cougar. There was a recent magazine article with a self proclaimed lost Shelby ized Cougar. It is a complete fabrication. The magazine didn't do it's home work. The person who fabricated the car knew just enough to be dangerous but not enough that any knowledgeable Shelby historian could see the parts claimed to be installed by Shelby were recent reproductions or were from other year Shelby's and not the 69 Shelby it was supposed to be a sister to. There were a few parts that were used on 69/70 Shelby's that came from Cougars. That is probably where the idea for the poser came from. Bob

 

The bottom line is that mercury still made it happen with the early GT-E's. PIA or not cougars were made with 427's, maybe not the best idea at the time, but with a strike I'm sure production was more than upside down. With the new 428CJ motor I'm sure it made life better, with mercury taking full advantage of the new power plant vs sticking with the 427 later in the year.