1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

A very rare 'Mountain Cat'

Only 354 were built.

The high cost and rarity of the car, prevented many owners from putting
them on the track.

Available with C- 6 Automatic Transmission 'only',

http://www.americancarcollector.com/...38b4cd8d_L.jpg

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

I used to work on one of them when I had the gas station. Triple black, beautiful car.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Yes, beautiful cars.

427 engines, 390 HP and Hydraulic camshaft, and C-6 Automatic transmission only.

1968 NHRA Class

Super Stock......SS/EA
Stock..................C/SA

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Paul,
There were two of these Cougars in the Roanoke, VA area back in the day. One of them is still here and Jack Roush purchased the other one. His daughter handled the purchase of the car without engine or trans. She told the seller that daddy had lots of engines and transmissions.
regards, Roland

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Paul, they weren't "side-oilers" they were hydraulic lifter motors.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Billy,

Correct,,,,,,,my error,,,,,,,,,,,'Hydraulic Camshaft'

And 'C-6' automatic transmission only.

Biggest complaint, they wouldn't 'rev' when running C/SA.

Still, a beautiful car.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

We had one in the mid 80's for about 2 years. We did a total restoration and put a set of headers and a 4.56 gear, 3000 stall conv and slicks. Went high 12's. Wish I still had it. Sold it to a guy in Texas for $18,000, thought we made a killing.



Bret Velde

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Actually, they were both. The "side oiler" designation refers to how the crankshaft recieved its oil pressure. The older top oiler 427s used a similar oil gallery routing like the 390-428s,where the crank recieved oil after the cam and lifters, the side oiler block has an external bulge down the drivers side of the block, which contains an oil passage that feeds the crank first. Also the earlier 427 blocks were solid lifter, with no passages to feed the lifters (FEs feed the rocker shafts via passages from #2&4 cam bearings, up thru the block and heads, to the shafts). Starting with the 68 Cougar GTE, and subsequent service blocks, the oil passages for hydraulic lifters were drilled.I have a 427 FE in my bracket Fairmont, with a 1971 service block, which is both a side oiler, and drilled for hydraulic lifters.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Very heavy cars at 3616 lbs., and with a 390 HP rating, had a
9.27 Wt/Hp 1968 NHRA Class = C/SA when they first came out.

Can only recall seeing one at the Drag Strip.
and by 1970/1971 they were running in E/SA.

12.90's is what I remember.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Paul I recall Muscle Car mag. had a 428 cj powered one on the cover a couple years ago. I believe from the article about 30 or less had the 428 engine.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Very unlikely you could ever get a FE powered 67-68 Cougar anywhere near that light. In street trim, they are at least a couple of hundred lbs heavier than a similar Mustang. They have a longer wheelbase, and that die cast nose and hidden headlight setup is HEAVY! The 68 GTE 427engine has the same hyd. cam as a 390 GT or 428CJ, the heads have the smaller valves (2.09"I, 1.66"E) the same as a 428 CJ. Other than .100" more bore, and .200" less stroke than the 428, the 68 427 is equipped almost identically to the 428CJ, but with a higher HP rating, and no cold air offered.
Also, there were later GTEs made with the 428CJ replacing the 427 mid year, and those 428 cars did have cold air scoops. The 428 is a better combo IMO.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3584/3...c41fc064_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5246/5...628b618e_z.jpg

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Theres one in my home town with the 427 in it...very beautiful car. If you see it outside it has to be a very very sunny day lol

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Rory,
The 427 engines used an exhaust manifold that looked like the 390 engine. The 428CJ manifolds were far better.
regards, Roland

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Got the complete specifications,,,,,,,,Great Job,,,,,,,,,Mr. Moose

Car Weight with the 1968 Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP

#3616 lbs. = 9.27 Wt/Hp

1968 NHRA Class = C/SA or SS/EA

What made the car suprisingly heavy, the 123 lbs. of sound deadener
added to this model.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

You are right Roland, they used the 390 GT style exh. manifolds. Funny thing is, in that Cougar ad/brochure that Hemi Moose posted, the drawing of the engine shows it wearing the exhaust manifold for a 66-67 Fairlane, which is not correct for the Cougar 427.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Rory,
I knew that the manifold in the picture was not correct but did not know what it fit. I had a set of those heads for years and sold them about seven years ago to a local who was restoring his GTE. I compared them to a pair of CJ heads and other than a difference in the exhaust bolt pattern I could not see any difference. During machining of the head it appeared that they had machined the CJ exhaust pattern in them and then filled the holes that were not correct and redrilled them. If my memory does not fail me it was four or six holes per head.
Roland

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/5...e/img_0001.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/5...e/img_0004.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/5...e/img_0005.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/5...e/img_0002.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/5...e/img_0003.jpg

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

The GTE 427 used the same head castings as the early 68 428CJ heads, I also had a pair (casting # C8AE-J). You are right, while the CJ head (C8OE-N) has a 16 bolt exhaust bolt pattern, using 4 bolt holes per exh. port, the C8AE-J head has the 14 bolt pattern, similar to the 390 GT cars, 4 bolt on either end, with the 2 center exh. ports "missing"the lower vertical bolt hole. Also, where the upper vertical bolt holes on both the CJ head, and all the 2 bolt truck and big car are all at the same height, the 14 bolt "GT" pattern heads have the upper vertical bolt holes located lower by about 3/8" for the end cylinders. Between that, and the 2 different exh.port heights used depending on the head, its very easy to have exhaust leaks if the headers used don`t have the correct flanges. In addition, most of Mr. Gaskets header gasket applications are incorrect, and have been for many years.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Odd that Ford only installed the juice cam 427 in the Cougar in '68, after it was listed as a option in many car lines at the begining of the model year.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

All of the 427 GTE cars were automatic but Ford was planning on using 4 speeds and had a larger hydraulic cam designed for them but with the same horsepower rating.
Roland

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Yeah, I have seen factory sales information that claimed that the W code 427 hyd. cam engine was going to be available in the new 1968 Fairlane/Torino, and Mustang, but it seems none were ever built, at least from the factory, with the W code engine code in the VIN, and with any proof, ie paperwork.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

It is apparent that Mercury was attempting to make this car, an 'Executive Performance Sports Car',,,

Recommended for street-driven applications only, with the Automatic Transmission and Hydraulic cammed
427-E engine, Super Competition Handling Package, 3.50 Gears, FR70 X14 tires Radials (5.5" wide),
Power-steering, Power-assisted Front-disc brakes, and loaded with sound deadening material.

The 'distinctive' twin-dual chrome exhaust tips (18" length) under the rear valance.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nEcS7mTzh9...OR+COUPE+b.jpg

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

The 1968 427-E engine did feature the 'famous' 428 Police Interceptor
Aluminum dual-plane intake.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.racingjun...uminum-int.jpg

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

K-Code,

In 1968, the 68' Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP car was not a
'desired' combination for C/SA.

The 68' Mustang 428/335 HP Cobra-Jet, and the 67' Ford Galaxie 500
427/410 HP were better combinations for the (9.00 - 9.49 Wt/Hp)
NHRA Class in 1968.

The 1968 NHRA C/SA Class Record was around 12.55

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

I had an old friend who bought one of these new. He almost never drove it. He was one of those guys who just liked to have things and not really do anything but look and shine. He sold it not knowing how rare it was.

He also owned Bob Gliddens Super Stock Mustang. 1968 fastback. He let my dad drive it ever so often so he could see the car run. lol

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Performance Results for the 1968 Cougar GT--E 427/390 HP

C-6 Automatic with 3.50 Gears and FR70 x 14" Tires.

In stock trim, 15.10 @ 93 MPH

Too heavy at #3616 lbs. for the Drag Strip.

Designed for a smooth road ride (road sports car type performance) with
the 'Special Competition Handling Package' and 123 lbs. of added
'Sound Deadener'.

And, 'Standard Exhaust Manifolds', not the 'special' 427 header-type
cast iron free-breathing units. A restrictive exhaust system, strangled
the exhaust flow.

The 'first' performance suggestion, install a set of 3.91 Traction-Lock
gears (at a minimum), which could get you to 14.75's @ 96 MPH.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Here is a 428 cj powered GT-E.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

More 'Show' than 'Go'.............with the 427/390 HP

Simulated hood scoop (non-functional) design.

* Engines equipped with 'Thermoactor' fresh-air smog pump
* But the exhaust system was equipped with the 'H-Pipe', to help balance the exhaust flow.

A very 'pricey car' for 1968 at $5131

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Power assisted front disc-brakes
Power steering
Thermoactor fresh-air 'smog pump'

Some nose lightening units that could be removed before racing at the strip.

Some nice features,
* Power-booster engine fan (Thermal-clutch)
* Police Interceptor Aluminum dual-plane intake manifold (low-riser)
* Holley Model #4150 List #4008 - 600 CFM Carburetor (1 11/16" x 1 11/16" square bore)
* Open element air-cleaner

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/stagi...Engine_Web.jpg

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

I always thought that was a great idea, but from production figures I must have been one of the few. Though a drag racer at heart, putting up with all the drawbacks became less and less desirable for a daily driver.

One of our crowd had a good job as a pipefitter in a manufacturing plant. He bought a new 427/425 Corvette convertible in 66 and was the talk of the town. But three years later he was dating the woman he's still married to and things were looking a bit different. Constant valve adjustments, rough ride, 100 degree summers, and insurance costs seemed to be more important than the thrill of performance.

He bought a loaded 69 Caprice 2 dr with a 427, air conditioning, etc. It had gauges, decent gears and every performance option GM would allow on their "luxury" car. I guess you could call it a Caprice SS.

But it was still a full size car and there were quite a few like it - Ford 7 Litre, Pontiac 2+2, and Mercury Marauder were mostly the same size and perfomance.

Other than the Cutlass SX, which was a combination of 442 and Supreme, I can't think of another smaller car which could give great performance along with comfort. Monte Carlos, Rivieras, Grand Prixs, and Thunderbirds don't count - they were too big and heavy and never got the good engines.

Maybe they were just too expensive. I remember a Buick ad for the Riviera calling it "an iron fist in a velvet glove". Shame it never fit the bill and no one produced a gentlemans' hot rod like an Aston Martin was at the time.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Detroit News (December 1967)

1968 Mercury GT-E 427/390 HP

Not built as a 'drag strip racer'. Designed for the 'sports car enthusiast',
with raw Ford 427 Power.

A well-equipped and stylish sports car, that comes complete with
all the 'bells and whistles' of style. A smooth performer, that is designed
for open road performance.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/5...msptspnlg1.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/5...msptspnlg2.jpg

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Some general specifications,,,,

* Car Weight #3616 lbs.
* 123 lbs. of added 'Sound Deadener'
* The 427 engine weighed in at a heavy 675 lbs.
* Expensive to build
* Regular 390 GT Exhaust manifolds
* Single-point distributor
* Simulated hood scoops
* Nose-heavy car (Bumper, Hide-Away Light Assembly, Die-Cast Hood)

* Camshaft (Hydraulic) .481/.490 lift - 270*/290* Duration - 46* Overlap

* Rating = 390 HP @ 5600 RPM
* Torque = 460 Foot/Pounds @ 3200 RPM

Performance complaint. The car wouldn't rev near the numbers the factory stated. The valves started to float at 4600 RPM's.

Recommendation (For Street Applications)
* 3.91 Traction-lock gears (at a minimum)
* TRW .515 Lift - 300* Duration (Hydraulic Camshaft)
* Higher-rate valve springs
* Adjustable rocker arms

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Not to mention the 600cfm Holley. The CJ GTE's ran circles around them in a lower class!

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Ford #C8AF-AD.......Model #4150.....List #4088.....600 CFM

Specific for the 1968 Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP (Automatic Transmission)

http://images.cougarpartscatalog.com...AF-9510-AD.jpg

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

From the factory,,,,,,

Ran 15.10 @ 93 MPH

But, 'GT Performance' out of Frankfort, Kentucky ran one in C/SA in 1968, and was able to get their car into the 12.70's @ 111 MPH.

I'll see if I can find what they did to the car.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

Here are some pics of one I saw at a car show in Vancouver, WA back in 2009.

Re: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP
 

The 1968 427/390 HP really got 'trashed' by the critics, as 'too expensive' and a 'non-performer'.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/1/9...14987219_o.jpg