ok quick question about the casting numbers on a potential engine for my 77 it's supposed to be a 429 from an early cop car but would like to find out more about it before getting it hoping some one on here would have a little more info for me thanks for any help guys
FORD
429
7.0 L
4 BARREL HOLLEY
BLOCK- D1VE-A2B
HEADS- D2VE-AA
INTAKE- D3VE-A

 

well, from what i know and can tell, the block is a 71, heads are 72,intake is a 73, the only real way to tell if its a 429 from a 460 is to check the crank casting number.

 

ok thanks kinda what I figured after the research I did even if its a 460 cant beat the deal on it hopefully when I pick it up this weekend will be able to pull the pan and check

 

yeah even if its a 460 u get a bigger motor right? lol i thing the 429 is desirable since its more "rare" than the 460. my dad has one and he wont sell it to me but id probly stroke it to 514 anyways.lol

 

The letters/numbers you gave are casting numbers from the date the parts were originally cast. It does not mean that your D1(71) block cannot be correct for a 77 car. The D1VE block was used from 71-late 79 with even some run over into early 80 in stuff like box vans etc. From there the next casting number was D9TE which was used all the way up to the end of production for 460s - '96/97.

The heads are the absolute least desirable 429/460 head. They are open chamber and extremely prone to detonation. D3VE heads would be much better to use when/if you rebuild it.

The intake is also nothing fancy but not terrible as far as passenger car intakes go. Should be good for low end torque but its a heavy pig. Edelbrock performer (not performer rpm or airgap) would be a good stock replacement for a mild build.

The Holley carb if factory is probably 600cfm and about perfect for a stock/mild build on the stock intake. Get a new 600cfm carb if you buy an aftermarket intake.

There is nothing "rare" or overly more desirable about a 429 vs a 460. Most often I see 460s bring more $ than 429s regardless of condition and 429 cranks are almost given away.

 

rough guess is originally it was a 72 2bbl 429 and someone bought a junk yard 4bbl intake off a later model car and put on it. BUT that's just a guess. And with the D2VE it is NOT a police interceptor motor so wasn't originally in a cop car.

If the price is right, you have a good short block to start from.

 

whats a good price was gonna trade a 11 drawer bottom toolbox (huskey) for it pic of engine

 

I have a "true" 429 block and heads. It is a "Thunderjet" engine, but I had no problem placing a 460 crank in her with some new forged pistons. Had Isky custom grind a cam too. I hope it turns out to be a fun engine to run in my 74 Highboy.

 

429s and 460s use the exact same block so there is no difference whatsoever between the two aside from the crank. Also, "thunderjet" is nothing special. I guess "passenger car" doesnt sound as catchy.


should be a great engine for your truck though.

 

The crank and pistons are different between the two...