Cobra Jet Heads

Bill,

Ron (accobra) is an FE guy, he'll have all the dope for you, what I can tell you is the cast iron cylinder heads used for both 428 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet engines from 1968 through 1970 are identified by casting number and the number of exhaust flange bolt holes. The casting number, C8OE-6090-N, can be found in the recessed area between the middle two spark plugs. I have read reports that some early cars used C8OE-H (1968-1969 390 GT) heads with fourteen bolt holes in the exhaust face. If the casting number is questionable, check the number of bolt holes on the exhaust manifold face for additional identification assistance (428 CJ heads should have sixteen bolt holes).

Many of the pre-mass-production cobra jet engines came with slightly different heads. Identified in the Autolite "Hi-Per Parts" book with casting number C8AE-6090-J. Ford documentation also lists a head with casting number C8WE-6090-A.

The -J heads were also used on some 427 low-riser applications. They can have 8, 14, or 16 bolt holes in the exhaust face.

Below is a pic.

your friend on the DTBB, George

And.......

Here's a pic of where the casting number can be found, facing upward, between the 2nd & 3rd spark plugs.

George

Perfect George! I'll get the ID #s tomarow. Are the CJ heads very desireable? I see the 4 holes in your pic. I felt around for more holes that mat not be used with the A/M headers that are on it. They had one bolt in the top and 1 botton. My flashlight, 1.5 glasses, pad and pencil. He wants $2500 nice crager al wheels,new tires, auto front disc, ps, short bed,needs paint.

Yeah, 428 CJ heads are desirable heads. Pretty much equivalent to 427 low riser heads. With the exception of the heads found on the various versions of the 427 (low riser, medium riser, high riser & tunnel port) they breath much better than the heads that were installed on the rest of the FE engine line.

Needs paint huh? Shouldn't be a problem for you!

your friend on the DTBB, George

I took a pic, all I see is C8AE-H Does that mean any thing to you. They look like they have bosses for the 4 hole exaust, but I can't see them because of the 2 hole headers.

Bill,

C8AE-H is just a standard 390 cylinder head, nothing performance about it.

Perhaps it does have 14 or 16 exhaust manifold bolt holes and the owner took that to mean it was the cobra jet head, without checking casting numbers.

your friend on the DTBB, George

Hey Gents,

Caught wind of this one, the casting #'s is the way to go..CBAE-H doesnt ring a bell with being a HP Head, but the 390 came with a set of GT heads which are equivalent to the 428CJ heads..but not totally...they had 4 bolts on the end ports of the exhaust flanges..the 428cj heads had 4 bolts on all the flanges. Most of the headers come with bolts, since this option was due to shock tower clearance issues and helped when you were only able to catch two bolts vertical or horizontal. Me ? I always tried to catch all 4 ... just to torture myself. I hate header leaks...sounds like a 66 chevy with a hole in the muffler. LOL

The 390 GT head is C8OE-H.

George

Thanks.... Screw it... I'm gonna paint my Pantera.

Great idea ! For a Pickup truck they are great motors 390's but if you were looking to score on the FE as a CJ motor... they are not worth that much money...CJ's came in t birds, mustangs, galaxies, some time showed up in trucks, they can be bought. The 390 needs cubic inches, a 427 block with a 428 crank makes a 454 instantly, there were a bunch of 428 forged steel nascar cranks. But now we are getting off track. LOL So back to the cleveland.