Parts etc.
Ford radiator cooling fans are identified by basic part number 8600. During the course of 1968 - 1970 Mustang production there were several different fans used to keep our Cobra Jets cool. All were driven directly by a pulley attached to the front of the cast-iron water pump; electric fans were not used. Both fixed-pitch and flex fans were used depending on cooling needs, often dictated by the presence of air conditioning.
Ford radiator cooling fan clutches are identified by basic part number 8A616. Fan clutches are used on fixed-pitch fans to control fan spin based on temperature and engine RPMs. The clutches contain a viscous silicon-based oil which gets pumped in and out of an internal drive area depending on engine RPMs. A bi-metallic spring/switch operates a control valve that regulates the amount of oil flowing within the pump. Here's a table describing fan clutch applications and engineering numbers:
The exhaust manifolds used for most 428 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet engines from 1968 through 1970 are easily identified by the cast engineering number if the manifolds aren't badly rusted. The manifolds are made from cast iron, and were originally installed without gaskets. These manifolds will generally not mount on non-Cobra Jet heads due to their unique mounting bolt holes.
The exhaust manifold heat shield is connected to the air cleaner snorkel via an s-tube, allowing air heated by the exhaust manifold to flow into the air cleaner. Ford identified these heat shields using basic part number 9A603. The 428 CJ heat shield is identified by part number C8OZ-9A603-B. These stamped-steel shields are painted Ford Corporate Blue and consist of a heat shield with a curved tube welded on at the front end.
All 1968, 1969, and 1970 Mustangs were built with the engine in the front of the car and the drive wheels at the rear. A tubular steel driveshaft was used to connect the output shaft of the transmission to the pinion at the front of the rear axle assembly.
I could use a nice picture of an original driveshaft for this spot. Please let me know if you have a nice, uncluttered shot with no extra additions to the image.
428 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet distributor assemblies are identified by basic part number 12127. Identification information, including the engineering number and date code, can be found on the distributor housing. Here's one example, a 1970 D0ZF-12127-C distributor for engines mated to a manual transmission with a 9J26 (September 26, 1969) date code:
Many Ford engines, including the 428 Cobra Jet, use a distributor vacuum control valve (also called a coolant temperature sensing valve or a ported vacuum switch (PVS) valve) that opens and closes in reaction to changes in coolant temperature. The 1975 Master Parts Catalog identifies the valve used on the 428 Cobra Jet using service part number C8AZ-12A091-A (Motorcraft part number DY-126). The valve is identified using two different engineering part numbers: C8AE-12A091-A and D0AE-12A091-A.
The 428 Super/Cobra Jet engine uses a distributor vacuum advance (Ford basic part number 12370) that adjusts ignition advance in response to changes in engine vacuum. Both single diaphragm (with one vacuum port) and dual diaphragm (with two vacuum ports) advances were used depending on the type of transmission installed in the car. Cars equipped with an automatic transmission used a single-diaphragm advance and cars equipped with a manual transmission used a dual-diaphragm advance.
Ford crankshafts are identified by basic part number 6303. The crank used in 428 CJ and SCJ engines is made of cast iron with a 3.98-inch stroke. The main bearing journal diameter measures between 2.7484 and 2.7492 inches. The connecting rod journal diameter measures between 2.4380 and 2.4388 inches.
Typical Cobra Jet Crankshaft
Manual transmission clutch forks (basic part number 7515) are the link between the external clutch linkage and the throw-out bearing, providing the lever that engages and disengages the clutch. It's not widely known that the clutch fork used in 1970 is unique to that year -- note the D0OA-A casting number on the top fork in the picture below. The 1968-1969 fork has a C8OA-D casting number. Though both of the forks below can be used with 428 CJs from all three years, the 1970 piece is readily recognized by its unique spring mounting end (which is visible when installed).