429 lacks low end snap
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429 lacks low end snap
Here's the history:
Bought a 72 429 out of a hearse, supose to be low mileage (under 50k) about 5 yrs ago. Before installing in my 79 I put in new rods & mains, HV oil pump, straight up timing set, L&L headers, edelbrock performer 460 intake. Regular tune up items. C6 was rebuilt for towing at the same time.
Problem:
Their isn't much low end snap, can't do a burn out to save the truck. Mid and upper range is decent. Started with a Carter AFB 625 4brl and it was ok, swapped to a Holley that was on my work 460 and it's a little better, but still no low end snap. Still need a bigger carb?
Only problems I've really seen is at idle I have low oil pressure (belive shop fired it up w/out oil when changing front cover), builds right up w/rpm's. Uses oil, but not terribly.
Bought a 72 429 out of a hearse, supose to be low mileage (under 50k) about 5 yrs ago. Before installing in my 79 I put in new rods & mains, HV oil pump, straight up timing set, L&L headers, edelbrock performer 460 intake. Regular tune up items. C6 was rebuilt for towing at the same time.
Problem:
Their isn't much low end snap, can't do a burn out to save the truck. Mid and upper range is decent. Started with a Carter AFB 625 4brl and it was ok, swapped to a Holley that was on my work 460 and it's a little better, but still no low end snap. Still need a bigger carb?
Only problems I've really seen is at idle I have low oil pressure (belive shop fired it up w/out oil when changing front cover), builds right up w/rpm's. Uses oil, but not terribly.
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Feels a little dead, does it?
You only did bearings, no pistons, no cam?
A '72 429 wasn't a Boss, wasn't a CJ, wasn't a Thunderjet....it was an 8.5 CR smog motor....so if you used stock '72 items, you are going to get very soft performance.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...972-429-a.html
You only did bearings, no pistons, no cam?
A '72 429 wasn't a Boss, wasn't a CJ, wasn't a Thunderjet....it was an 8.5 CR smog motor....so if you used stock '72 items, you are going to get very soft performance.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...972-429-a.html
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[QUOTE=85e150six4mtod;9429020]Feels a little dead, does it?
You only did bearings, no pistons, no cam?
Correct only bearings. Everything else looked good, no scores or scars, not out of round, still cross hatched cyl's.
You only did bearings, no pistons, no cam?
Correct only bearings. Everything else looked good, no scores or scars, not out of round, still cross hatched cyl's.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Union, Washington
Ford has no oil pressure spec except at a higher RPM. Usually 35 PSI at 2000 to 2500. So if it does that and doesn't rattle at idle then I wouldn't worry about it. The 429 in it's hey day had a 10.5 to 1 compression for the 2 barrel and 11 to 1 for the 4 barrel. But with the advent of emissions they gutted the compression and killed the performance. Unless you are willing to do a piston change for a 9 or 9.5 to compression ratio and a much more performance oriented cam, you are gonna have pretty dismal performance all around.
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It was origonally a 4 brl just wanted to loose some weight by going w/the edelbrock. But from the sounds of things my 400 was just about as good as this 429. Any kits you guys recommend? Or buy by peices?
I use to pull alot w/this truck but since I got my diesel it only sees maybe 400 miles a year. So mainly a play toy...
I use to pull alot w/this truck but since I got my diesel it only sees maybe 400 miles a year. So mainly a play toy...
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From: Waterloo IL
1972 has the worst heads ever offered. They have a completly open chamber and it's over 100cc. A swap to even D3 heads will up the compression quite a bit and for very cheap since those heads are plentiful. The 1972 motor has less piston dish than the 73 and later so compression will be higher than a stock 1973+ engine.
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Found a motor near me on Ebay, has a 2 brl carb and listed as C9VE-A heads. Be worth rebuilding? Many differences between the 2brl and 4brl apps?
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Post Fiend
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
What gears/tires does the truck have? Being a 250 it's probably not bad, but, that could be part of the issue.
A 429 is relatively short stroke, so low end isn't going to be the greatest by comparison with a mostly stock smog engine, especially if that 400 was done up some, it's got a nice long 4" stroke to build torque down low.
Anything to bump up compression is going to help a lot.
As for oil pressure, saying that these things have no oil pressure at low rpm is just not right, my stock 86 engine before I hurt it ran 70 cold idle, 65 hot, the first build was about the same on the first start but took out the mains and rods not long after and the current build runs just over 75 cold idle, 70 hot, and it's running a stock, 65K mile old 1997 oil pump.
A 429 is relatively short stroke, so low end isn't going to be the greatest by comparison with a mostly stock smog engine, especially if that 400 was done up some, it's got a nice long 4" stroke to build torque down low.
Anything to bump up compression is going to help a lot.
As for oil pressure, saying that these things have no oil pressure at low rpm is just not right, my stock 86 engine before I hurt it ran 70 cold idle, 65 hot, the first build was about the same on the first start but took out the mains and rods not long after and the current build runs just over 75 cold idle, 70 hot, and it's running a stock, 65K mile old 1997 oil pump.
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I saw an ad on another forum for a set of ported rebuilt DOVEs, I think he wants $1050 outright. Put those heads on with a straight up timing set and it oughta run pretty strong. Pm me if you can't find the ad. Hint: foursixtyforddotcom...
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: starship enterprise
I had a '73 429 with around 65000 miles on it. 4bbl. Ran stronger than any other stocker i've ever lead footed, The PO said that the motor came out of a mercury and had never been tore down, the furthest the engine was gone into was a 4x4 oil pan, and a rear main. It was converted to solid state ignition with manifolds and twice pipes. It had a 4spd though and 4.10s. With a auto I think the torque convert might stall a little early for a 429 I never liked a torque converter that stalled less than 2100 rpm, a low stall torque converter makes any engine sluggish in a big truck.