The 460 is a LUMP.....I think that is (or should be ) where the term originated.
Now days an NA 289/302 based engine can make enough power to set you free
at 1/2/-2/3 the weight of the LUMP.

I really think that Cobra is like dating a exotic supermodel. It is very sexy and looks great. Wonderful for ego boost at parades or for a short hop, but a long term relationship is going to be difficult and uncomfortable. They can't or won't do the basic things like going to the grocery store or picking up the laundry. Forget comfort, it is only about looks. Every other guy will be wanting a piece of the action so you have to be on constant guard.

My 27 foot RV has that motor and is a 3 speed auto with OD. Sounds similar. What do you want to use it for? If it's going to shows and sitting around fine. If you are looking for something to really drive find a different type of car or one with a better driveline combination.

I REALLY can't see getting a cobra with an auto trans. That's just weird.

drum rears = solid rear axle?

I think the better ones use a jag IRS and disks

Lots of great advice from everyone especially those regarding the auto trans.....you will be stuck with the car because there is a very small market of guys who want to buy a Cobra with an Auto. Having a 429/60 shrinks your available market even more. Think of it this way......would you rather have a 930 with a manual or an automatic trans??? I rest my case.

The main reason people drop an 429/460 in a Cobra is because the engine is about half the cost of a 427. A servicable 427 Side Oiler block is hard as hell to find and will run you a minimum of $3k to $5k. A new block from Pond or Genesis runs about the same but your not concerned with the history of abuse. I've been looking for a vintage SO block for 6 months and I'm about to give up in a month and buy a new block from Pond or Genesis. Tabs mentioned the center oiler block; those are a little cheaper (about $2k range) but you lose bragging rights because it's "cooler" to have a SO instead. I'm goig with the SO just because of potential resale. I have no plans to sell my car but here is a photo of my Shelby CSX that was delivered in December.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1336570779.jpg

My biggest concern is who built it? I have admired these cars somewhat and am not an expert at all. However, one of the biggest variables is construction quality. It is like buying a house. Every home I have bought has had significant hamfisted repairs. Real idiot work. This can be an issue with a 2000# rollerskate powered by a 460!

I have owned a ford 460. A nice motor. Designed for the Lincoln to be smooth and deliver torque. Nothing wrong with them if they have the correct timing gear.

Larry

I owned a Butler Racing Inc. for 20 years. It was a "kit" that I took over a year to
put together. Back in the late eighties, ERA, Contempory and Butler were the
quality cars with good resale. EM was considered and I even talked to Buford Morrison over the phone a couple times.
Big blocks can run hot. I opted to put a 351W with 9:1 compression, 300 hp dyno'd at the rear wheels. I had to have a manual tranny so the DNE 4+1 went in.

Don't get caught in the rain.
Wear sun screen. Have a surplus of ball caps in the trunk.
Forget the radio.
Say you are sorry when your passengers burn their leg on the side pipe.
No need for a heater. It can get really hot in the footwells.
The seat is probably fixed with no adjustment so make sure it fits your seating.
Very little conversation while driving because of the wind and exhaust. This can be an advantage.
Get past the verbage that your car is a "fake".
Car shows are fun and the AC Cobra is always a hit.
Make sure you can register the car without any hitches.
Watch yourself going over curbs. They sit low.
If you like attention... you'll get it everywhere you go.
Don't expect the car to be an investment. It is not.

If you want a car you can drive like a madman... It has been a couple years but the last I checked... Factory 5 cars were popular.
Have fun.

I would say a '27 center oiler will run you $12,000 and a 460 with aftermarket heads built at home would be around $7,800

My dad has built plenty of 427 engines most of them where for road race and oval track. I know one that was a 1/4 mile car.

If it was for trying to be correct for the car I would want a 427 but if it wasn't to be an accurate car I would drop a 460 engine in it in a heart beat!

Here's a lump powered fat pig mercury

Merc9Racer - YouTube

I used to take my laundry 50 miles to my parents rather than use the laundromat. You just need a covered container or you may not have socks and underwear to wash. A set of high backed leather buckets (unless you are a purest, but then you wouldn't have a fiberglass body) and they are fine for comfort. I finished mine in '95 and still drive it hard. Harder soon as it is getting a full width roll bar and race seats so it is better on the rack.

Remember that not all the original 427 bodies came with 427cid engines.

To add to what Rapewta had in his list. Make sure you have a ponytail holder if people with long hair ever ride with you. Make sure you fit, I have a friend that cannot drive mine because at 6'6" he cannot operate the clutch with the door closed because of the exposed hinges. Maybe that's why this one has an auto?

I have a COMPLETE MOTOR that is STD BORE, All parts with the exception of a 67 Crank, valve covers and Air Cleaner are AS IT CAME FROM THE FACTORY in 1963. This is NOT A PIECED TOGETHER MTR.

This mtr has been on an engine stand since 1985, when Bill Thomas bought the car it was in (72 Mach 1) from the Widow of his friend who died of cancer at 35. The reason why Ford went to a Side Oiler is that at SUSTAINED HIGH RPM the Center Oiler tended to spin the Crank Bearings because they didn't get enough of oil, so to solve the problem Ford went to the Side Oiler in 67 and promptly kicked the shyte out of Ferrari at LeMans with the GT40.

Now who is going to run a Ford 427 at sustained High RPM's and LIVE...especially in a COBRA??? That 427 of mine did some duty in a 65 Mustang, and it made that car into a DEATH WISH as it was tooooo much power to keep the car in a straight line. Even in the heavier 72 Mach it was a handfull.

Oh yeah some of the original Cobras came with 428's as Shelby was scrounging for mtrs..
My 69 Mach 1 has the 428 SCJ verison..Which has a different Crank with a Harmonic Balancer on the front of the mtr. I built that motor to the HILT.. for example 60 hours went into the Porting and Polishing of the heads...Ford Pwr Parts Roller Rockers that make that mtr sound like a sewing machine when warmed up...I went with a Global West Competition Suspension wt 4 wheel Discs...(even the pwr steering box is balanced and blue printed by Global West) It handles like a sm blk and stops in a reasonable distance.....that Shelby with rear drums....I wish you luck...

The Ford 429/460 was never successfully raced...even the Boss 429 was a slug...

If ya want speed you either hit the 289 HYPO, Boss 302, Boss 351, 428CJ/SCJ or 427's. The Cleveland 4 Barrel 351..is the Panatera mtr...the 351 Windsors are glorified 302's and can be made to run..

If I were looking for a hot ticket Mustang I would be looking for a 4 Barrel 351 Cleveland 70 Mach 1. preferably with Ram Air...I also tend to like the 383 Magnum 70 Dodge Challenger rattle box...I had a Dodge Challenger 440 Six Pack rattle box...either you went 35 mph or you launched yourself like a rocket from Cape Canaveral with no in between.

At this late date I shoulda just stuck with the Porsches....instead of that Motor City Iron..I coulda bought a completely RESTORED (no rust ever except in the Battery Box) 65 356 Coupe, all it needed was a pair of Sun Visors....for $10.5K (guy had a kid going to UCLA) , or a ORIGINAL CA 65 356 Cab for $25K that needed some freshing up...then there was a MD in AZ that was dumping his 67 911S collection that included TARGAS...NOw I am going to be saying some foul cuss words so close yer ears for awhile....

One more pot shot at the 429/460.......it's HEAVY! A 427 will come in a little south of 600 lbs if using an aluminum intake whereas a 429 is about 100lbs heavier even with an aluminum intake. I'm not sure how much a 427 weighs with aluminum heads but I'm guessing about 25 lbs less than the iron counterpart. If you have extra mad money you can go with an aluminum block and shave another 80 to 100 lbs. If you put the 429 on a diet and go with aluminum heads, I think you'll save about 50+ lbs. For comparison, my 351W weights around 480 to 490 lbs with aluminum heads.

Jim is right about the cost differential between the two engines so if you're looking for the best bang for the buck, the 429 is a no brainer.

Don't want to highjack the tread but Tabs, you got my attention. Sending a PM!

I would say keep looking.

The Cobra with a small block is a better car in a lot of ways than the big block

Automatic ? No, not in such a nice car as this. You need a 4 speed..

A friend has a Superformance with with Roush FI motor. A truly beautiful car(and motor). A handful to drive with very limited usability(especially in Canada!). A great car for Sunday afternoon drives if money is no object.

Its been said before, but a 460 is a boat anchor truck engine. Coupled with a C6? well, you could tow with it..

Personally, I'd want a built 302 with a T5. weighs a LOT less. The car might actually handle decently.

Mine with a small block is 48%/52% front to back full fuel and no driver. Venetian, while I wouldn't call mine docile, I wouldn't say it is really a handful either. You do need real tires on them instead of the all season things like Radial T/A or GT Qualifiers. It also helps a lot to have it corner weighted, assuming it has coil overs.

I agree. Mine handled great and at 2200 lbs was fast enoughhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1336681846.jpg