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ok i have a 72 f250 with c6 and 360 power as well as a rotten 74 gran torino with the 429 out of a 69 thunderbird. the torino originally had a small block so it has custom mounts, and a good c6. I want to repower this slug of a truck with the 429, and need to know where to look to start estimating costs. Is the 429 a good truck engine? i know little about fords, esp big blocks, so educate me. Thanks guys.
oh yeah the 429 is a great anything motor this beast will make power for anything but here are a few things to consider. that 360 can be easily turned into a 390 or a 428 and with a bit of an investment can make some real nice power. edelbrock makes a nice set of heads, there are roller cams and a few options on the valve train mostly from erson. but if you want my $.02 dotn give up on the 360
yeah my dad said somthing about the 429 being a motor you can really spin. someone said somthing about putting money into the 360, but i mean this 429 has been lying dormant for 10 years in a rotting hulk. 20000 miles it doesnt get any freeer. The motor now has cast dished pistons and a gas saver cam, a full balance and what my dad calls small chamber heads off a late 60's thunderbird. it runs well on mid grade leading me to believe in a cr of apprx. 9:1. I plan to replace the seals and install an electronic ignition, as well as a slightly more agressive cam. its a truck so i think i'll build toward torque even though dad says i can spin it (6000+ with cast pistons? mebbe if its not MY car) well with what ive said here shoot me some suggestions. I dont know anything about the ford ignitions, or even this motor and its potential for that matter. My dad brags about this motors bottom end strength, so for the future i'm thinking forged pistons, better stock heads, see what it'll do, then spray it.
Sounds like the 429 is exactly the way you want it as far as heads and pistons. The heads it has are the best stock ones and are good for most anything you want to do. The dished pistons mean you won't have octane problems with pump gas. I'd leave it just the way it is. Flat tops will give you 10.5-1 with those heads.
"Gas saver cam" can mean most anything, but usually means a cam ground for low end torque. That's also good for the application.
I'd just put the engine in and drive it, then you can see where you want to go from there. BTW, you will have motor mount and transmission bolt pattern problems going from a 360 to a 429. You didn't say what kind of tranny the truck has. If it's an automatic, you'll have to change the whole thing. The one in the Torino will be fine if it's any good.