So Im shopping for a mid 70's Ford truck to restore. I was debating between going for a 390, but ive decided that a 460 will be better. Here is my question. Ive heard that taking the heads off of a 429 will give me better compression. Is that the case? Would putting a 429 in be a better idea? What could I do to the engine to get more power without breaking the bank or decreasing the life of the engine?
Thanks in advance. Im a newbie at this stuff.

 

Meh.... Let's not over-complicate the situation by immediately swapping parts. A base 460 can be built to provide very decent HP and TQ. Got more money, then bigger can be better.

Here are some links for your perusal. Familiarize yourself with "bang for the buck". As with any engine mods, there is likely some give and take so it's up to you to decide what is best for your particular situation. I think if you're new to this game, build for durability and reliability.

429/460
Ford 460 Build: 500 HP-CarCraft Magazine
Budget 460 Big Block Ford - Spike TV's Horsepower
Off the Shelf Ford 460 - Popular Hot Rodding
545 CI Stroker - Custom Classic Trucks
460 Big Block Build Part 1, 437HP/507TQ- Mustangs & Fords Magazine
460 Big Block Build Part 2, 609HP/557TQ- Mustangs & Fords Magazine
460 Big Block Build Part 3, 598 ci "Monster Mash" 916HP/827TQ

 

Don't just limit yourself to what engine you want. If a really nice truck with no rust etc turns up with a different engine then it could be changed later. The hardest part is finding the good body and interior.

 

agree 114%

 

Read Read Read. 2wd can come with a factory 460, anything else will be a swap in if its 4x4. Stop by here and be neighborly. Missouri Chapter - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Here is some advice if your talking 4x4 dept. Copy and pasted for your reading pleasure.

I suggest that you set a goal and stick to it, I mean that you should create a reasonable goal, and do what you can to achieve it. Not too many fellas are in the 700 hp club, and when I hear this I truly expect 500 real hp's, but let’s talk about that.

500 hp is huge compared to the whopping 120 something you are making now. I’m not ripping on the 351M, errrr, ok, maybe a little. But regardless, this thing made around 150 to 170 Hp's when it was new. A tired old "M" might make the same 30 years later. Add a big honking cam that makes power far higher than the engine is actually capable of reaching, or heads that can’t flow enough air to maximize that aftermarket carb, and you might actually make less than the factory spec. Consider that the engine is tired so it might be making 100 hp, and my original estimate was not accurate. Being an optimist, I as shooting for a high number.

You can make 1 HP per cubic inch, or at least make slightly less. Either way, you will have a mill that is still over three times the power house that the 351M ever was. Start with the 460 and never look back. Each time you upgrade you can’t count on the fact that you are one step closer to your goal, the reasonable one.

Guess this all boils down to priority. Is it a priority to complete what you have? I mean, it runs right? You decided that the priority was to build enough of a lift to clear tires large enough that your stock engine just won’t be able to turn? Sounds kind of strange when it is put like that right?

How about building a bullet proof drivetrain, that can handle anything that you throw at it, and use a reasonable tire? 37's can be a ton of fun in a stock truck with some gears and a locker. Ever drive a 1 ton equipped truck with 1 ton gear, 35 spline axles or even chromo, locker, steep gears and smaller tires like 37's? It’s a blast! Hit it with some power and one may not ever change from this. Once the drivetrain is bullet proof, and you have installed all of the gear that will make it suitable for upgrades, now comes the bullet.
See since your drivetrain is bullet proof, you won’t ever worry about breaking it, and all of the money you save will go towards the next goal. No distractions, like broken axles or downtime. What’s next? The engine and trans. Meanwhile you are still wheeling the thing, and you are tearing all sorts of stuff up, but not the drivetrain.
So you have some fun wheeling the truck, and you are building a nice engine for it. Upgrades do not have to come right away, just a nice running 460 that will smash that little 351M. All of this is while you are still pimpin 37's.

So a little time goes by, and you have a nice bullet for the gun. A fresh 460 with early iron heads, flat tops, timing set, and a nice reasonable cam. Small carb, but that’s all you need right now. Its reliable, starts every time, runs like a champ and making over 350 Hp's easy. That’s about a 300% increase over the old engine. Thought you were tearing it up before, now you are just getting crazy. Time for tires. Since you already have nice 1 ton gear, and a bullet proof set of axles, you have the gears to turn a larger tire, you now set a goal for some lift and some tires that put you in a different category. Lift it and make some mods, but the axles are still working great, engine is as nice as can be, and you are still having a blast.
This truck has seen minimal downtime, and you have been rolling it around all over the place.
What do we upgrade next? Who knows, because we’ve built a decent drivetrain, and it runs well, but we need some more puppy power, so we head to the speed shop, and up the cam, port some heads, step up the carb and maybe intake. You have already found a used intake on Craigslist, and got it for a song, and look at that, the National Dragster has a guy selling a Demon carb that looks like it has been unmolested, and it is cheap.

Kind of see where I am going here? None of us have the pockets to build a fire breather on the first go around, and none of us have hit it out of the park on the first swing, but I am sure that every one of us would have done things a little bit differently, and some wish that we had. Everyone can build a truck in any order they wish, but it seems to me that most build them backwards.
They lift it, put some big honking meats under it then struggle with broken parts, and have to limp a sorry engine around to try to turn the things. Backwards I say.

Gimme a nice 460, and some 1 tons that won’t break, I’ll throw in a Detroit out back, and Ill wheel it with white wall tires. Probably do as well or better than so many of those other trucks that I see on the trail. Wimpy little engine, no traction devices, we can see this because it is stuck on wet grass. Busted axle or u-joints, Oh….but it has some big ol meats and it looks nice, Can’t get out of its own way, but it looks nice. Cracks me up............

For the reader of this I’m just throwing out some examples and some ideas. Its your rig, and in all honesty, I applaud your efforts. You do have the desire and ability. Keep that up. Don’t lose that. Only one way to gain experience my friend. Only one way.