I am trying to replace a water pump on what I thought was a 460 in a 75 F-250. New water pump did not line up, doing a search with the casting numbers on the original pump (C8SE 8505-E) I found out the pump belongs to a 429 Boss. I know the 429 and 460 block are the same, but I have just bought a cam and headers for the same rig and don’t know if I should change anything or not. The only thing I know for sure about this motor is it’s not the original block for this truck. Are the Boss heads or block special, and what numbers am I looking for to see if it’s more than just the water pump that is a Boss? This one has kind of thrown me for a loop, any advice would be appreciated.

 

That would be the short snout pump that had other applications also. If you could find a date code to match the 69 - 70 mustangs you could maybe find a buyer ? You could get the same part number on a reman water pump from Autozone .

If your spark plug wires go into the center of your aluminum valve covers you should get excited .

 

+1

The one and only time I have ever even seen one of these motors up close was at a Ford booth at an auto show back in 1985:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...x-Boss_429.jpg

For purposes of thinking pure thoughts, I try to pretend that such an engine never even actually existed!

 

To answer your question about whether it's a boss or not. If it was you would know it. They are a Hemi headed engine which means the plugs go THROUGH the valve covers, and any headers you could buy would NOT fit.

And yes both the blocks and heads are special as well as the pistons, intake, rockers etc.

 

Thank you, I appreciate the help. Plug wires are normal, nothing going through the valve covers. guess previous owner went with a Boss water pump, don’t know if that is an advantage. I guess my only other hope is this would be a Boss block? Any difference or easy way to tell the difference? Once again, i appreciate the help, i am a Ford big block rookie!!!

 

If it doesn't have Boss heads on it, then it's almost assuredly NOT a boss block.

The thing is that is NOT a boss water pump, it just happens to be a water pump that has the same casting number as the one used on Boss motors. For it to be a "boss water pump" then the Boss 429 would have to be the ONLY application for it. That water pump if you note has a C8 casting number indicating a 1968 revision date, the Boss 429 didn't come out until 1969, thus it was being used on engines prior to the introduction of the Boss.