73Cleveland

Is the 72 429 worth the trouble to put in a 73 Mach? Since it was an option in 71, I know it should fit at least.

I have a line on a 72 429 oassenger car engine. From what I've read this is a de-tuned engine with low compression and not that much power. I've also heard that if a 71 timing chain set is installed, it will give some power back Ford took away because of increased emissions regs.

I'm most likely to just build up my current 351c instead. I just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts on this.

Thanks!

jrrhd73must

I thought that there were some modifications to the shock towers in the engine bay to fit the 429.

73Cleveland

Thanks! That's the kind of surprises I want to avoid!

Soaring

I see no reason why it wouldn't slide right in. Even as far back as 69 Ford offered the 428 and the Boss 429 as options. If it is a Boss 429, it will give you some major HP.....like 370.

69FECoupe

A standard 429 or 460 should fit with no shock tower modifications. A Boss9 is a different animal. Even in 69 & 70, the cars were modified by a company named Kar-Kraft to make the hemi-headed 429 fit. You may need a different front sway bar to clear the pan and possibly Mustang specific exhaust manifolds.

73Cleveland

It really got my attention when I found this! I did some research and found that the "passenger car" version was detuned quite a bit and would need different heads and the cam timing changed to make good power. I was leaning really hard and still may, toward building my current Clev and still get the 429. Not sure which will end up in my Mach but either will be fun to drive. With different heads, I thing the 429 would much more potential though.

As was pointed out, I may need to see if things like Mustang exaust manifolds or headers are available. Be a heck of a winter project!

THUMPIN455

429's came stock in 71-73 stangs. They are a bolt in deal, but if I were to build one, it would get a set of SCJ heads or the aluminum heads Ford has for the 429/460, that would lighten it up quite a bit. the 385's are heavy, like 700lbs+ all iron. You can get headers for it, mounts, and everything else you need. I have a C6 with the big block pattern as well, not that they are tough to find. Changing the cam and timing gears alone is usually enough to wake up the 429, if you can find an old Thunderbird engine(pre 73), they have decent heads and respond well to small changes like the cam and an intake.

The Cleveland is lighter but makes alot less torque, either one is a viable alternative and will work for racing. 385 parts are a bit pricey to rebuild tho.(not that 4v Cleveland stuff is cheap)

73Cleveland

I've decided on keping my current Clev in my Mach. I really want the 429 just because it is a bigger engine and has more potential than the Clev but the total cost of the project will be lots higher with the 429. I really don't have a spot to swap engines also influenced my decision.

I got to looking at what new heads and other items would cost along with suspension upgrades. I don't know for sure what the weight gain is but I would need to prepare for that.

You're right about the parts for either the Clev or 429 costing a lot of $$$. There are more parts for the Clev finally coming on the market but they still cost more than the 289/302 or even the 351w. The salvage yards here are pretty well cleaned of 429 and clev parts. Lots of 302 & 351W parts though.

I'm still thinking of getting the car, having a salvage yeard swap out the 429 with something else then selling the car. That way I would have the complete engine and could always build it at a future date. Right now the asking price on the 72 Galaxie is 1,200. It's smoking on one side but really couldnt say how much. Maybe I'll make a Xmas gift to myself!