Ford’s 427 and 428 FE V8s share an engine family, but they were developed for different priorities: the 427 became Ford’s high-performance and racing platform, while the 428 began as a larger, torque-focused passenger-car engine and later gained a performance version in the Cobra Jet. Their advertised names are only one cubic inch apart, but their bore, stroke, block details, and factory combinations differ. The right comparison depends on which version of each engine you mean.
427 vs. 428 FE: Key Differences
| Feature | 427 FE | 428 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate bore and stroke | 4.2328-inch bore × 3.784-inch stroke | 4.132-inch bore × 3.984-inch stroke |
| Design emphasis | High-performance and racing development | Passenger-car torque; later adapted for performance |
| Block and oiling | Many production 427s had cross-bolted mains; later side-oiler versions routed oil through a dedicated gallery to the main bearings | Ordinary blocks generally used conventional two-bolt mains and did not have the 427 side-oiler’s dedicated lubrication architecture |
| Notable performance variants | Low-riser, medium-riser, high-riser, Tunnel Port, and the distinct SOHC Cammer derivative | Thunder Jet, Police Interceptor, Cobra Jet, and Super Cobra Jet |
| Typical role | Competition-oriented cars and high-performance applications | Heavy passenger cars and street performance; Cobra Jet versions also competed in NHRA classes |
Dimensions and configuration vary by year and version. The table describes general tendencies, not a guarantee that every engine bearing a 427 or 428 designation has the same parts.
Bore and stroke: why the names are misleading
The commonly cited 427 dimensions are about 4.2328 inches of bore and 3.784 inches of stroke, which calculate to roughly 426 cubic inches. The 428 is about 4.132 inches by 3.984 inches, calculating to roughly 427 cubic inches. Ford’s advertised displacement designations are model names, not exact statements of calculated swept volume. [CIT:c004] [CIT:c005]
The 427 uses the larger bore and shorter stroke; the 428 uses the smaller bore and longer stroke. The larger 427 bore can accommodate large valves and high-flow chamber and port designs. The 428’s longer stroke supports its torque-focused character. These geometric differences help explain their intended roles, but they do not establish that every 427 will outperform every 428.
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Block construction and oiling
Many production 427s used cross-bolted main-bearing caps. Later side-oiler versions added a dedicated oil gallery along the block to improve oil supply to the main bearings at high engine speeds. These features served racing durability, but they are not universal across every 427 casting or application. [CIT:c006] [CIT:c007] [CIT:c009]
Ordinary 428 blocks generally used conventional two-bolt main caps and lacked the side-oiler’s dedicated lubrication architecture. The 428 Cobra Jet retained the basic 428 block family; it was not a standard 427 side-oiler. Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet versions received selected performance and durability upgrades, but that does not make them structurally identical to a 427 race block. [CIT:c002] [CIT:c008] [CIT:c012]
Block details can vary, and aftermarket modifications can blur the distinctions. Casting marks alone do not establish an engine’s identity or specification. For a particular engine, inspect the casting and date codes, main caps, oil passages, and internal parts.
From racing 427 to street-focused 428 Cobra Jet
Ford developed the 427 as a high-performance and racing engine. It appeared in competition-oriented Galaxies, Fairlane Thunderbolts, Cobras, GT40s, and other factory or semi-factory racing programs. Ford offered multiple head and induction configurations, including low-riser, medium-riser, high-riser, and Tunnel Port designs. Tunnel Port heads routed the pushrods through tubes in the intake-port area to make room for a straighter, larger intake path. These were specialized combinations, not a single standard 427 specification. [CIT:c001] [CIT:c013] [CIT:c014]
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- Compatibility: Fits for Ford Big Block FE 390 406 410 427 428 V8 Engine //Notes:Fits medium and low-rise cylinder heads. Will not accept stock Motorcraft spread bore carburetor
- Part Number: 7105,8507,R1148 //Intake Style: Dual Plane //Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,500-6,500
- Intake Manifold Height: 5.460 in. //Front Maximum Height:4.890 in //Rear Maximum Height: 6.040 in //Part Type:Intake Manifolds,Carbureted
- Intake Section Included:Complete //Engine Block Deck Height:Standard deck //Carburetor Mounting:4-barrel square bore //Intake manifold Color: Natural
- Intake Material: Aluminum(stain) //EGR: No //Package included: 1*intake manifold&some parts shown in the picture
The 428 was introduced in 1966 for full-size cars and Thunderbirds. Its performance-car profile grew with the 428 Cobra Jet, launched in April 1968 for applications including the Mustang, Cougar, Fairlane, and Torino. The CJ package added performance-oriented heads, camshaft, carburetion, exhaust hardware, and selected stronger parts. It also proved competitive in NHRA Stock and Super Stock racing while remaining a regular-production street engine. [CIT:c002] [CIT:c015]
The 427 SOHC, known as the Cammer, was an overhead-cam competition derivative. It is distinct from the ordinary wedge-head 427 and should not be treated as a direct counterpart to a production 428. [CIT:c001] [CIT:c016]
Components and output depend on the version
427 combinations were commonly associated with forged-steel crankshafts, high-performance rods, internally balanced rotating assemblies, and solid-lifter valvetrains. Ordinary passenger-car 428s were generally externally balanced and used cast or nodular-iron crankshafts. Specifications varied by year and application, and performance 428 variants received selected upgrades. [CIT:c011] [CIT:c012]
Ford’s period technical material lists the 428 Cobra Jet with a 4.13-inch bore, 3.98-inch stroke, 10.7:1 compression ratio, hydraulic lifters, a 735-CFM four-barrel carburetor, and 445 lb-ft of rated torque at 3,400 rpm. That specification describes the documented CJ combination; it should not be generalized to every 428. [CIT:c002]
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- Compatibility: Fits for Ford Big Block FE 390 406 410 427 428 V8 Engine //Notes:Fits medium and low-rise cylinder heads. Will not accept stock Motorcraft spread bore carburetor
- Part Number: 7105,8507,R1148 //Intake Style: Dual Plane //Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,500-6,500
- Intake Manifold Height: 5.460 in. //Front Maximum Height:4.890 in //Rear Maximum Height: 6.040 in //Part Type:Intake Manifolds,Carbureted
- Intake Section Included:Complete //Engine Block Deck Height:Standard deck //Carburetor Mounting:4-barrel square bore //Intake manifold Color: Polished
- Intake Material: Aluminum(stain) //EGR: No //Package included: 1*intake manifold&some parts shown in the picture
A stock 427’s architecture and available racing-oriented parts supported high-rpm performance. A stock 428 generally emphasized usable street torque and a more street-compatible combination. There is no meaningful single horsepower winner without specifying the engine version, induction, exhaust, tuning, and rating method. Do not compare gross and net horsepower figures as if they were measured on the same basis. [CIT:c001] [CIT:c002]
How to identify a 427 or 428 FE
External appearance and a single casting mark are not enough to identify an FE engine reliably. Some blocks share similar features, and a front “352” mark does not prove the engine is a 352. A “428” mark inside the center freeze-plug opening may be a clue, but it is not universal. [CIT:c009] [CIT:c010]
- Record the block casting number and date code, then compare them with the claimed application and year.
- Inspect the main-cap arrangement and oil passages for evidence of cross-bolting or side-oiler architecture, while allowing for casting variation and later modifications.
- When the engine is apart, inspect the crankshaft and rods and measure the bore and stroke.
- Reconcile those findings with the casting and date-code evidence. Distinguish a factory-original engine from a period-correct combination or modern hybrid build.
Mixed combinations are possible: a 428 may use 427 heads, or an engine may have a replacement block or altered rotating assembly. For an important purchase or restoration, have the specific engine inspected rather than relying on a seller’s label. [CIT:c009] [CIT:c010] [CIT:c017]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which FE makes sense for a build?
Choose a 427 when racing heritage, high-rpm potential, or authenticity for a historically appropriate application is the priority and the budget supports specialized parts. Choose a 428 when street torque, regular-production history, or a Cobra Jet-style performance build better suits the car. In either case, the actual block, crankshaft, rods, heads, camshaft, and intended operating range matter more than the number on a valve cover.
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- Compatibility: Fits for Ford Big Block FE 390 406 410 427 428 V8 Engine //Notes:Fits medium and low-rise cylinder heads. Will not accept stock Motorcraft spread bore carburetor
- Part Number: 7105,8507,R1148 //Intake Style: Dual Plane //Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,500-6,500
- Intake Manifold Height: 5.460 in. //Front Maximum Height:4.890 in //Rear Maximum Height: 6.040 in //Part Type:Intake Manifolds,Carbureted
- Intake Section Included:Complete //Engine Block Deck Height:Standard deck //Carburetor Mounting:4-barrel square bore //Intake manifold Color: Black
- Intake Material: Aluminum(stain) //EGR: No //Package included: 1*intake manifold&some parts shown in the picture
FAQ
Is a 428 just a stroked 427?
No. They share the FE architecture but use different bore-and-stroke combinations and generally different block and component configurations. A modern or period hybrid can mix parts, but that does not make a factory 428 a stroked 427.
Does every 427 have a side-oiler block?
No. Many production 427s had cross-bolted mains, and later side-oiler versions used a dedicated oil gallery. Details vary by casting and application, so inspect the specific block rather than assuming all 427s share the same oiling hardware. [CIT:c006] [CIT:c007] [CIT:c009]
Was the 428 Cobra Jet built on a 427 side-oiler block?
No. The Cobra Jet retained the basic 428 block family. It received performance upgrades, but it was not a standard 427 side-oiler. [CIT:c002] [CIT:c008]
Can casting numbers alone prove an FE’s identity?
No. Use casting and date codes alongside physical inspection, including the block details and, where possible, bore and stroke measurements. Modified and hybrid engines make single-mark identification unreliable. [CIT:c009] [CIT:c010]
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Is the 427 SOHC the same as a regular 427 FE?
No. The SOHC Cammer is an overhead-cam competition derivative, distinct from the ordinary wedge-head 427. [CIT:c001] [CIT:c016]
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