Big Block Mark II

Jim Downard · 12-25-03, 12:22 PM

I'm trying to find out how many people have build a Mark II with an actual Big Block. I'm tossing the idea around in my head about my second build having a 390 motor. I think to see the Big Block under the hood would LOOK awesome and correct. Chime in if you have done this or know anyone who has.

Jim Downard
MDA GT40 Mk I coming soon

Gary Gibbs · 12-25-03, 01:12 PM

Our Michigan Dealer has built a CAV with an FE.

jercarnut · 12-25-03, 01:14 PM

Hi Jim,
Merry Christmas.
I know of one car planned for 427, one under construction in Mi. and our project that will be done not to far from you in Louisville, Ky. We have a Mark ll being shipped at this time. This car will have Mark ll body work and some appropriate changes for the big block. There will be a brake up grade to a AP racing brake, and Koni shocks and springs. Considerable planning has went into this Mark ll. We expect this to be streetable and a very competive track car. Feel free to stop in and check out the project any time. It will be nice if we could get everyone that is planning a Mark ll or working on one or possibly installing FE into Mark l's to post.

Tom_Hughes · 12-25-03, 03:49 PM

Jim,

Fran Kress did one. Here is the link. You can see his add on the CobraCountry website www.cobracountry.com, under the GT40's For Sale icon. His is a very accurate one.
http://www.cobracountry.com/GT40's-forsale/gt40Mk2-yellow-kress.jpg
Happy Holidays to all!

tdm434m · 12-26-03, 07:22 PM

I'm in the process of building an all aluminum 494" tunnel port with EFI for a CAV I recently purchased. When the engine is done I will take it and the car to Detroit to have it finished up by a company that has built other CAV's with FE's. Wayne

Bill Bayard · 12-26-03, 07:36 PM

Looking at the cavernous radiator opening in Fran Kress's

car, you have to wonder about overheating problems with a

MKII big block, especially if driven on the street.

Bill

Mike Dozier · 12-26-03, 08:28 PM

Bill

Fran's "recreation" has the large opening as done
on the MK II's for 1967. I much prefer the 1966 front,
but I assume Fran preferred the newer look.

We've seen plenty of 427 Cobras running happily,
so I must assume it all depends on engine state of tune
and the quality of your cooling system. Today's
radiators/water pumps/etc are much better than 1967.

MikeD

Bill Bayard · 12-26-03, 09:28 PM

Mike,

I'm with you on the '66 front on the MKII.

That's one ugly hole in Fran's car!

Cobras have the cooling advantage of a front engined

configuration, so a 427 shouldn't be a problem there.

However, GT40 cooling systems can be kind of quirky on the

road with a small block, let alone trying to keep a hopped

up 427 cool in a traffic jam!

Bill

cobra1 · 01-04-04, 01:28 AM

I'm building one with a 64 427 sideoiler with oldstyle fuel injection.
Nathan [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

tdm434m · 01-04-04, 03:44 AM

Nathan, you need to check date codes, I didn't know Ford made side oilers in '64. I think '65 was the first year. If you have a '64 side oiler its a very rare item. Also, mechanical fuel injection doesn't work very well on the street. It works best wide open or off. Good luck and let me know your progress, Wayne

cobra1 · 01-04-04, 06:21 PM

Wayne,
My Mistake [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]The Block is a 1967 Sideoiler it is the steel crank that is a 1964 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Nathan

tdm434m · 01-04-04, 07:39 PM

Nathan, steel cranks are also rare in '64 but there are some around. Look at the throws and see if they have rounded corners or square corners with casting lines. The steel crank will have rounded corners and sound like a bell when you tap it with a hammer. If you need some parts email me and I will point you out to some parts, like a '64 steel crank with two extra throws at the thrust bearing that was used in Nascar racing, pretty rare piece, Wayne