429/460 the differences
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 354
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From: australia
429/460 the differences
hey guys, i normally hang aound the 48-60 area but i have a few questions about 4 big blocks i have and after an hour or so of searching i have'nt stumbled upon the correct site, so here goes- i have 4 429/460 engines both man and auto, they appear to have differences and i was wondering what bits r better than others, i would like to end up with a single good strong manual 429 that'll most likely be a tow vehicle, i have never owned or built a big block, so i thought it would be cheaper to ask. one engine i beleive to b a 460 has a 3 15/16 stroke, electronic ign, a whole lotta rubbish n wires and it has a water cross over pipe between the rear of the heads, the inlet and heads r different to the other engine, it also has black grey tapet covers while all the others r blue with the early ford script embossed on them.
i think the one with the grey covers is a much later engine than the others.
any ideas?
cya....gary
i think the one with the grey covers is a much later engine than the others.
any ideas?
cya....gary
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 3
From: Centennial, CO
I found 2 different books on the Ford engines. One is How to Rebuild Your Big Block Ford (by Steve Christ), the other is Ford Performance (Pat Ganahal). They are both good books. Go to Speedway Motors and order catalog # 256. Both of these books are in the back of their catalog or you may find them at a regular book store. You cna reference the engine numbers on the block castings and see what you really have.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by scrape
hey guys, i normally hang aound the 48-60 area but i have a few questions about 4 big blocks i have and after an hour or so of searching i have'nt stumbled upon the correct site, so here goes- i have 4 429/460 engines both man and auto, they appear to have differences and i was wondering what bits r better than others, i would like to end up with a single good strong manual 429 that'll most likely be a tow vehicle, i have never owned or built a big block, so i thought it would be cheaper to ask. one engine i beleive to b a 460 has a 3 15/16 stroke, electronic ign, a whole lotta rubbish n wires and it has a water cross over pipe between the rear of the heads, the inlet and heads r different to the other engine, it also has black grey tapet covers while all the others r blue with the early ford script embossed on them.
i think the one with the grey covers is a much later engine than the others.
any ideas?
cya....gary
i think the one with the grey covers is a much later engine than the others.
any ideas?
cya....gary
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: Graves County, KY
The one with gray valve covers is an EFI model. Short block is the same, but the heads and intakes are different than the carbed engines and won't interchange. Also, the balance changed around 79, so you will need to make sure you have compatible balancers and flywheels/flexplates. Get the numbers off of the heads and we can help you choose the right parts.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by wintremute
The one with gray valve covers is an EFI model. Short block is the same, but the heads and intakes are different than the carbed engines and won't interchange. Also, the balance changed around 79, so you will need to make sure you have compatible balancers and flywheels/flexplates. Get the numbers off of the heads and we can help you choose the right parts.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 354
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From: australia
thanks guys, i pulled the inlet from the motor with the grey tappet covers and noticed the inlet tracks r round, is this common for all years?, i noticed in the ford motorsport catalogue the cobrajet heads also have a round port.
last year while in the states i read an article on the new improved cobra jet heads, would anyone know if these r the heads currently sold by ford or r they still the old design?
cya...gary
last year while in the states i read an article on the new improved cobra jet heads, would anyone know if these r the heads currently sold by ford or r they still the old design?
cya...gary
