Ford 428 Engine for Sale | FE Big Block V8 7.0L (1966 to 1970)

About This Engine

The Ford 428 FE big block was introduced for the 1966 model year as a practical evolution of the FE engine family that had grown from the 332 introduced in 1958. Ford’s engineers created the 428 by combining a 4.13-inch bore (smaller than the 427’s 4.23-inch bore but larger than the 390’s 4.05-inch bore) with a 3.98-inch stroke- longer than the 427’s 3.78-inch stroke. The result was a 428-cubic-inch engine that was dramatically easier to manufacture than the hand-built 427 while producing competitive torque figures for its intended purpose: powering full-size Fords, Thunderbirds, and Mercurys in smooth, effortless style.

In its standard Q-code form, the 428 produced 345 hp and 462 lb-ft of torque- numbers that gave the 1966 Galaxie 500 7-Litre effortless passing power and smooth highway performance. Ford simultaneously offered a Police Interceptor version (P-code) with an aluminum intake manifold, solid lifters (1966 only, changed to hydraulic in 1967), and a more aggressive camshaft at 360 hp. These police units have become sought-after cores in the restoration community due to their typically low mileage, thorough maintenance history, and higher output tuning.

The 428 Cobra Jet (introduced in April 1968 using 427-style large-port heads and a Holley 735 cfm 4-barrel) transformed the 428 into a genuine performance engine. However, the standard 428 remained in production for full-size Ford, Mercury, and Thunderbird applications through 1970, offering smooth torque over the 427’s raw power- exactly what luxury-oriented Ford buyers wanted. Both the standard and Cobra Jet 428 were replaced by the 429 cubic inch 385-series engine starting in 1969 for most applications.

Signs You Need a Replacement Engine

• Knock under load- rod or main bearing wear on high-mileage FE engines
• Blue smoke on startup or under acceleration- worn valve seals on aged FE cylinder heads
• Loss of compression on one or more cylinders- ring wear or scored cylinder walls
• Oil leaks at the front timing cover- a documented chronic seep point on FE engines
• Overheating- the FE runs warm and aged cooling passages restrict flow
• Low oil pressure at idle after warm-up- bearing wear on high-mileage units

Known Problems With This Engine

• External balance requirement: The 428 FE is externally balanced- different from many other FE engines. The harmonic balancer and flexplate or flywheel must be 428-specific. Using components from a 390 or other FE engine without correct balance will cause severe vibration. We flag this on every order.
• Timing cover oil leaks: The FE timing cover gasket area is a chronic seep point on all FE engines. We inspect and report on timing cover condition before shipping.
• Standard 428 vs Cobra Jet head distinction: The standard Q-code 428 uses regular FE production heads with 2.04-inch intake valves. The Cobra Jet uses 427-style large-port heads with 2.09-inch intake valves. These require different intake manifolds. We document which head type is on the unit before shipping.
• Police Interceptor aluminum intake: The PI variant used an aluminum intake manifold that is increasingly rare and desirable. We note whether the aluminum intake is present before shipping.
• 1966 solid lifter PI vs 1967 hydraulic PI: The 1966 Police Interceptor used solid valve lifters (requiring valve lash adjustment). From 1967 onward, the PI switched to hydraulic lifters. We confirm lifter type before shipping.

Ford 428 FE Variants- Standard, Police Interceptor, Cobra Jet

Three main 428 variants were produced across the engine’s production life:

What Is Included- What Is Not Included

Vehicle Compatibility

The Ford 428 FE was factory installed in the following vehicles:

The 428 uses the standard Ford FE series bellhousing bolt pattern, making it compatible with any vehicle that used any FE engine (352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, or 430). Correct motor mounts, exhaust manifolds, and cooling components may need sourcing depending on the application. CRITICAL: The 428 is externally balanced- the harmonic balancer and flexplate or flywheel must be 428-specific, not sourced from another FE engine.

Transmission compatibility: Ford C6 Automatic- strongest and most common pairing | Ford C4- lighter duty | Ford 4-speed Top Loader (close and wide ratio)- performance manual applications. Confirm bellhousing pattern for your specific year.

Common Names and Search Terms

Used OEM vs Rebuilt- Which Is Right for You?

Used OEM is the right choice for a Galaxie, Thunderbird, or Mercury restoration where a compression-tested, variant-confirmed engine with documented head type is the foundation. Our 428 units are documented with variant (standard, PI, or CJ), head type, and external balance requirement disclosed.

A professionally rebuilt 428 from an FE specialist makes sense for a show car or performance build. Police Interceptor rebuilds and Cobra Jet rebuilds from specialists run $4,000 to $8,000 or more. Call us and we can discuss sourcing options.

Condition and Inspection Process

• Compression test across all 8 cylinders- results per cylinder recorded before shipping
• Variant confirmed- standard Q-code, PI, or Cobra Jet documented
• Head type confirmed- standard FE heads or 427-style large-port heads noted
• Lifter type confirmed- hydraulic or solid (1966 PI)
• External balance requirement disclosed- 428-specific companion components flagged
• Timing cover and gasket surfaces inspected for seepage
• PI aluminum intake presence noted where applicable

Mileage varies by unit. Where available from the donor vehicle we provide it. Where it cannot be confirmed, we disclose this before your order is placed.

Buyer Tips- What to Know Before You Order

• External balance is mandatory: The 428 FE uses external balance. The harmonic balancer and flexplate or flywheel are matched to the engine’s external balance offset. Using components from a 390 or other FE engine will cause severe vibration and potential engine damage. Source 428-specific components before installation.
• Standard 428 vs Cobra Jet heads: The standard Q-code 428 uses regular FE production heads- these have different intake manifold bolt faces from the 427-style heads on the Cobra Jet. Source your intake manifold to match the heads on the unit you receive. We document head type before shipping.
• Police Interceptor aluminum intake: If the PI unit comes with its original aluminum intake manifold, this is a valuable and increasingly hard-to-find component. Confirm its presence with us before ordering if this is important to your build.
• Cooling system: The FE 428 runs at high temperatures. Ensure your cooling system is in excellent condition and consider an upgraded radiator for any performance application.
• FE parts availability: The FE engine family has a smaller but dedicated aftermarket support community compared to the Windsor family. Connect with FE-specific forums before ordering to map out your parts sourcing plan.

FAQs

What is the difference between the standard 428, the Police Interceptor 428, and the Cobra Jet 428?