429 info
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by 65429
how can i tell the year of my 429 thanks and what is the best way to lower my 65 thanks
I have no clue on how to "lower" it. That usually causes all sorts of suspension and geometry problems.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Escondido, CA
To tell the year find the block casting code just above the starter and the head casting code on the outside valve cover rail. The first letter will be the decade and the second # will be the year of that decade. The last to letters will be the application it was meant for. IE truck car hi-po and so on.
Now to make sure you have a 429, the valve covers will only cover the heads and have 7 bolts holding them down. If the valve covers bolt to the intake manifold then you have a FE motor. I am not saying you do this but sometimes people mistake the 428 for the 429. So hopefully I haven't offended you by stating that. Here are a few generic examples for common 385 eries engines, 429 or 460.
C9VE = 69
D0VE = 70
D1VE = 71
Now to make sure you have a 429, the valve covers will only cover the heads and have 7 bolts holding them down. If the valve covers bolt to the intake manifold then you have a FE motor. I am not saying you do this but sometimes people mistake the 428 for the 429. So hopefully I haven't offended you by stating that. Here are a few generic examples for common 385 eries engines, 429 or 460.
C9VE = 69
D0VE = 70
D1VE = 71
Last edited by airharley; Feb 3, 2007 at 09:00 PM. Reason: missing info
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From: jonesville NC
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Postmaster
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From: Escondido, CA
That is correct. You are pretty lucky to have that by most standards. If the heads have the matching casting codes then you will find 76cc chambers without smog bumps in the exhaust ports plus adjustable rocker arms. Do you have any plans to rebuild it or are you going to leave it alone for now?
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From: jonesville NC
yes my plans is to drive it for now. clip the front and lower it. when the 429 needs rebulid i will. i am trying to figure it out i just run the vin and it says it is a september 64 but title says 65
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Coal country
September '64 is right for a '65 model.
The definite way to check for sure is to look at the front axle. If it is a solid axle, and is a F-1--/250 2WD, then it is a '64.
If it is Twin I-beams, it is a '65.
The definite way to check for sure is to look at the front axle. If it is a solid axle, and is a F-1--/250 2WD, then it is a '64.
If it is Twin I-beams, it is a '65.
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From: jonesville NC
it is Twin I-beams. i was told it was moonshine truck the motor was put in 1969 when the motor was new and a c 6 with a mustang shifter in the floor
Last edited by 65429; Feb 4, 2007 at 08:36 PM. Reason: add words
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From: Coal country
As for the 429 and the casting code, the C9VE indicates the following:
C - 1960s
9 = 1969
V = Lincoln Design Division (All 385s were from Lincoln Division)
E = Engine part.
The C9 block indicates it was designed in '69. The date casting codes are elsehwere, and someone else should come along and tell you how to find and decode them.
As for other 385 parts, there were D0VE heads (for 1970), and I think there was a D0 block. There were probably more. The D3 block was used up to '79.
Check the head casting numbers. D2 heads are the worst made, D3 were the standard up to the '80s, with only very minor changes after that.
Vsit the 385 Series Engine board here at FTE for more great 385 information.
C - 1960s
9 = 1969
V = Lincoln Design Division (All 385s were from Lincoln Division)
E = Engine part.
The C9 block indicates it was designed in '69. The date casting codes are elsehwere, and someone else should come along and tell you how to find and decode them.
As for other 385 parts, there were D0VE heads (for 1970), and I think there was a D0 block. There were probably more. The D3 block was used up to '79.
Check the head casting numbers. D2 heads are the worst made, D3 were the standard up to the '80s, with only very minor changes after that.
Vsit the 385 Series Engine board here at FTE for more great 385 information.