In my research on performance parts for my 429 project I have a few questions I thought of while at work today. I had posted a while back that I'd like to get about 400hp and around 500lbs torque out of the 429. I'm planning on having the block bored either .030 or .060 over, not sure yet. Depends on the condition of it. I was looking through my Summit catalog for some good 10:1 CR pistons but didn't find much (if any). Does anyone know of another company I could check out? Second...what's the difference between a gear driven timing set vs. a chain driven? Is the gear one less prone to wear and damage due to the lack of a chain or belt? Which one would be better on the performance side? Last question. I was wondering about the benefits of aftermarket heads vs. having the stock ones worked on? I've heard a lot of negative comments about the heads from Edelbrock and I don't really know of any other aftermarkt head maker right off hand. Do you think I'd be better off (and cheaper) just to have the stock heads taken up? They are '73 heads so I know they have a little "lip" on the exhaust (I think) side. I'm in no big hurry to get this done. I'd like to take my time with it (seems how this is my first MAJOR engine build) and do a lot of researching and question asking before I just right into and tear it all to pieces. Thanks for the info guys!!

TO BE CONDINUTED........ ( as I KNOW I will have more questions down the road )


Please don't pull out in front of me! I can't afford to play "What's this?" with you or your car.

 

For parts, I'd recommend a mail-order such as Jegs, but my personal favorite is PAW. You can order a catalog at www.PAW.com, if I'm not mistaken. Excellent selection of parts, many different engine kits.. Just all around a good catalog.
Next.. Timing sets.. Gear vs. chain, you want to know the real difference between the 2? Gears sound better. Wow. Honestly, Gear drive does not benifit your performance any significant amount, and in many cases may actually cause you to lose horsepower. A good double roller chain set, like a Cloyes True roller set, is about the best bet you can make.
Heads.. Hmmm. It all depends on how much you consider "a lot" to spend. Sure, there are various head manufacturers out there with all sorts of claims, and some of them do what they say. I've never been a fan of Edel though. For less money than you'd spend on a GOOD set of aftermarket heads, you could re-do the stock heads twice over.. how much better they would be would not be obvious until you tried them. I would suggest looking around, and trying to find an older set (c8-d1 casting numbers) of small chamber, large port heads.. They are around, and are about the best thing for performance on a budget.
Any more questions, feel free to post back, or email me at: Dual_Uzis(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

J/.c

1965 Ford Galaxie 500 (I know, it's not Quite a truck..)
1974 Lincoln 460/ C6 Transplant, 9" rearend
380hp/5100 rpm, 526lb.ft./3870rpm
stage 3 shift kit, Megashifter, SSI cam, Mallory ignition
Best E.T: 13.78/106.2mph on street tires

 

From what I have heard about the Edelbrock heads, the castings are great the only downer is that they make you buy them complete so you have to cough up the extra money for their crappy valves and springs. The best set of heads out there (that is compatible with other stock components) is the Blue Thunder heads. They simply outflow and outperform the Edelbrocks. The Ford Racing Cobra Jet heads are not bad, especially for the price when compared to Blue Thunder's or even Edelbrock's. For your goal of 400 hp and 500 hp, any stock casting can get you there relatively easy. The major benifit of aftermarket, in your case, would be weight savings. You can get a set of C9/D0VE's, a set of original CJ/SCJ's or even a set of the D3VE's. The most important factor is getting the correct piston to give you the 9.5-10:1 CR you want/need. If it were me, I would probably get a set of D0VE's and send them to Colorado to MPG head service. He does CNC machining of cast iron Ford heads. He can make D0VE's outflow stock Edelbrocks (yes, Virginia, even on the exhaust side!!).
As for gears vs. chains, I know a lot of racers use chains with no problems. People talk about gears being tougher and more reliable, esp. in high hp app's, but a good double roller set would do you fine for many happy miles. Good luck with everything.

 

well man, about your head questions....depends alot on what type driving you'll be doing. and be realistic. if the trcuk will never see the street, then go all out. but if it will, consider going on the smaller side of things, i think you'll be happier in the long run. for making all out grunt, the police interceptor heads are a great factory casting. but for aftermarket heads, i have never heard complaints about any of them....but you can generally run about 1 point higher compression and the wegiht savings is a big plus too. hopefully this helps,
good luck
mike