I have just recently purchase a 67 mustang fastback with a 289 hipo motor with upgrades and only 2000 miles it. Love the car and I use it mostly for a weekend driver. However, I want more power. Heres my question. I have the opportunity to buy a 428cj motor that is supposedly a new brand new block for $4500 from an old timer that has about 50 ford big blocks that he is trying to unload. It is a long block with the oil pan and intake included. Of course i will have to add the distributer, carb, bellhousing, ect.. This will of course have no warranty what so ever. Or, I can buy a crate 351w built up with nearly the same power and have probably the same invested as i would after im done with the 428cj. Opinions of any kind are welcome. Thanks!

 

The 351 probably won't match the torque of the 428. You can stroke the 351 to a 408 for cheap if you know where to look for parts...I had the opportunity to buy a 408 crank and block for just $500 last month, but needed other things. Does the 428 have cylinder heads? Those will cost you a couple grand for a decent pair, not including rockers/pushrods/cam/lifters to match.

I think a 408w would be cheaper to build. But the 428cj fits the car better, plus hey, it's a cobra jet!

 

It does have cylinder heads. I believe it is pretty much ready to go other than carbs, distributer and exhaust manifolds. I figure by the time im done with it, ill have probably 7000 to 8000 into it. Crate 351w stroked will probably run around 8000 to 9000.

 

I would go with the CJ. Better motor I think. More parts available as well

 

To run a big block you will have to change out the front springs get a bigger radiator and trans for it,If you don't have a 9 inch you'll need one.Only downside to a big block is its weight and a trans can be a pain if you go for a top loader.

 

Is your 289 a K code ,if it is you may want to look into this motor a little more . They didn't build a lot of 67 with K code motor which is a Hipo.I have the numbers on this but not on hand I will post later.

 

Plan on putting coil overs in anyway and I already have a 4 spd tranny and 9 in rear end in it. The weight thing does bother me but I think I'm getting a really good deal on a CJ. That's the main reason I'm leaning that way.

 

It is a hipo motor, but not the original motor.

 

The 4 speed from a small block won't work on a big block.

 

Tough call..I am a big fan of CJ mustangs but you are taking a big risk on the motor without knowing how it was built or what parts are in it..You can make crazy power with a stroker based 351 and it will drop right in using most of the parts you already have..The CJ motor will require new mounts,trans headers,pretty much everything which will add greatly to the cost of getting it up and running..