Ford 428 Engine

In 1968 Ford phased out the infamous 427 and immediately replaced it with the 428. Both motors were based on the FE block series and are very similar. The inch difference in the displacement come from the changes in the bore and stroke. The 427 had bore of 4.23 inches and a stroke of 3.78 inches. The 428 bore was 4.13 and a stroke of 3.98. With the longer stroke, the 428 was a better street motor. All 427 engines were racing motors, period. The 428 gives a lot of torque all through the rpm range. Ford even put a single 4 barrel 428 with 390 heads and intake, rated at 345 horses, in a station wagon.

A unique feature of the 428 is the restriction oiling in the rear main bearings. Done to force more oil to the lifters, the 390 motor had the same restriction. In essence the 428 is a punched out 390.

All 428 motors came with two bolt mains, thin cylinder walls and a cast crankshaft.

Ford introduced a high performance version of the 428 to take the place of the 427. A special Cobra Jet package was offered. The Cobra Jet Motor came with:

Cast Aluminum dished and eyebrowed pistons

Compression ratio of 10.7:1

Police Interceptor rods with 11/32" bolts

Cast Iron Intake Manifold

735 cfm Holley Carb

Choice of two hydraulic camshafts

Heads very similar to the 427 medium riser

Optional Aluminum Intake exactly like the cast iron one

The next year, 1969, The Super Cobra Jet was introduced. It was the above package plus:

Engine oil cooler

Lower rear end

Better screw cap connecting rods (same as used in the medium riser 427)

The 428 motor was last offered in 1970. That year was the beginning of the end of the FE block motors that included the 390. The 390 was offered one more year.

The Cobra Jet package was offered primarily in Mustangs. Other cars did get the Cobra Jet including Ford Torinos, Mercury Cougars, and Comet Cyclones. The Super Cobra Jet was a Mustang option.

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