Head question
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From: KCMO
Head question
Will 429ci heads swap with the 460ci heads? I thought I heard somewhere that they would bolt right up, but want to ask around and make sure before I try it. I don't need 2 sets of bad heads..
My 460 has the D3VE-A2A heads...I've got some bad valves in the #7 cyl.
The 429 I have has D1VE heads...I can't remember the last 3 digits...I think it was A1A or something
I picked up the 429 to rebuild but was wondering if I could swap the heads just to get the 460 running again.
Will the clearances be OK? What should I look for before trying to swap?
1 last ??; Is it correct that the D1ve or D0ve heads are the best "stock" for the 460 anyhow?? Again, just something I heard a while back and was curious about. Thanks everyone!!
My 460 has the D3VE-A2A heads...I've got some bad valves in the #7 cyl.
The 429 I have has D1VE heads...I can't remember the last 3 digits...I think it was A1A or something
I picked up the 429 to rebuild but was wondering if I could swap the heads just to get the 460 running again.
Will the clearances be OK? What should I look for before trying to swap?
1 last ??; Is it correct that the D1ve or D0ve heads are the best "stock" for the 460 anyhow?? Again, just something I heard a while back and was curious about. Thanks everyone!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
Hmmmm, the most I've known them too is a @1.5....just curious where you get the 2.5? Not a huge issue since these 385 heads are very detonation resistant, much more so than most other heads...they can tolerate a healthy compression. Naturally, these heads flow a bit better than smog heads as well, but they can REALLY stand to have the exhaust side worked. I can recomend Scott at Reincarnation Auto if you go that route.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
Well, I'd say your fudging with math...and comparing extremes. Comp can be raised any amount with milling. Sometimes the heads barely need to be kissed to clean them up and other times its much more significant. Remember, I said that "on average" comp will be raised no more than 1-1.5 Its of course possible that if the post 71 heads were on the largest end of the cc spectrum, and the older heads on the smallest end of the spectrum it could jump you up by two points but that is pretty rare. To support my initial statement here are the direct Ford specs:
Pre 72 heads ranged from 74.2 - 77.2 cc's and usually average a @ 75/6 cc
Post 71 heads ranged from 89.9 - 92.9 and usually average @ 91 cc.
So I'd say my previous average of raised comp is valid, and every builder and Ford head specialist I know says the same thing "on average".
Not trying to get into a pissing contest, and like I said it doesn't really matter since these heads are very tolerant of compression and if his 460 is a '73 it has an anemic 8.0:1 comp anyways.
Pre 72 heads ranged from 74.2 - 77.2 cc's and usually average a @ 75/6 cc
Post 71 heads ranged from 89.9 - 92.9 and usually average @ 91 cc.
So I'd say my previous average of raised comp is valid, and every builder and Ford head specialist I know says the same thing "on average".
Not trying to get into a pissing contest, and like I said it doesn't really matter since these heads are very tolerant of compression and if his 460 is a '73 it has an anemic 8.0:1 comp anyways.
Last edited by proeliator; Jan 7, 2004 at 01:45 PM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
Yup, totally. Slapping on an early well ported head can really wake one of these sleeping monster up...match 'em up to a proper intake, carb, cam, and exhaust and you've got a real healthy engine with minimal work.
Oh, and slap on the early timing chain while your stuffing in that cam
Oh, and slap on the early timing chain while your stuffing in that cam
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From: KCMO
Keep going guys, I like the reading..Learing as much as I can. I thank all of you!
You guys are absolutely correct..I would like the added power
Although I hadn't thought about it adding much
And I do believe my 460 has a 8.0-1 compression.
What kind of power do you think this could add? Just a rough guestamite...
Either way I just want to drive my truck again soon...You guys are giving me the umph I needed to get this going.
Thank you
You guys are absolutely correct..I would like the added power
Although I hadn't thought about it adding muchAnd I do believe my 460 has a 8.0-1 compression.
What kind of power do you think this could add? Just a rough guestamite...
Either way I just want to drive my truck again soon...You guys are giving me the umph I needed to get this going.
Thank you
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
(Dr. Evil voice)
"One meeeelion horsepower"
I hate giving horsepower guesstimates. I've "heard" that by just the head swap you can get another 75 ponies but really, it just depends on so many other factors. I can tell you confidently that if you take one of the later smog 460s, throw on the early well ported heads with oversize cj valves, intake, carb, cam, exhaust set up, and little details like the early timing chain and re-curving your duraspark you can double your horsepower. Double!? I know, it sounds ridiculous, but its true.
"One meeeelion horsepower"
I hate giving horsepower guesstimates. I've "heard" that by just the head swap you can get another 75 ponies but really, it just depends on so many other factors. I can tell you confidently that if you take one of the later smog 460s, throw on the early well ported heads with oversize cj valves, intake, carb, cam, exhaust set up, and little details like the early timing chain and re-curving your duraspark you can double your horsepower. Double!? I know, it sounds ridiculous, but its true.
Posting Guru
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From: Pryor
Should raise compression by 1.5 points from stock of 8.0:1 to around 9.5:1. Of course if you do any milling, change pistons, bore the engine or anything else, then obviously this is out the window.
JJ
JJ
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Originally posted by proeliator
Hmmmm, the most I've known them too is a @1.5....just curious where you get the 2.5? Not a huge issue since these 385 heads are very detonation resistant, much more so than most other heads...they can tolerate a healthy compression. Naturally, these heads flow a bit better than smog heads as well, but they can REALLY stand to have the exhaust side worked. I can recomend Scott at Reincarnation Auto if you go that route.
Hmmmm, the most I've known them too is a @1.5....just curious where you get the 2.5? Not a huge issue since these 385 heads are very detonation resistant, much more so than most other heads...they can tolerate a healthy compression. Naturally, these heads flow a bit better than smog heads as well, but they can REALLY stand to have the exhaust side worked. I can recomend Scott at Reincarnation Auto if you go that route.
but they can REALLY stand to have the exhaust side worked
Junior User
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Okay...I can't figure out how to use the stinkin! quote function on this stinkin! @#&!!! thing...but anyway...could somebody expand on what is meant by having the exhaust side worked on...how it relates to power, as the gentlemen who started the thread is curuious about, buy also to what degree it requires other upgrades or modifications, etc...Is improved gas mileage a possible benefit...or is it a situation where you get the improved power at the expense of mileage?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Normal, IL
Ok, 385 series(370,429,460) heads have very poor exhaust sides. The best thing you can do is open up the exhaust ports(porting), and polish them. This will substantially increase flow, which will do the same for power. You can increase mileage, as this will increase efficiency. A word of caution though. Don't go hog wild on the port job as this will decrease port velocity, killing torque.