I found a 429 for-sale and the only number the guy could give me was the block code, C9VE-B. This should mean it's a '69 429/460 right?
My book does not go into detail on casting numbers, so I wondering if sombody could tell me what this motor may be out of, what the deck height/compression ratio would be, and the hp/tq ratings. He didn't say if it was a 2bbl or 4bbl motor. Thanks!!

 

It took me over an hour to get this info. Does any of this look right?

2bbl, 10.5:1, 320hp @ 4400rpm,torque 460 @ 2200rpm
4bbl, 11.0:1, 360hp @ 4600rpm,torque 476 @ 2800rpm
There is also a listing for a 390hp 4bbl but there was no info on it, I was thinking Boss 429 or SCJ?? What heads did all the base 4bbl 429 's come with? I'm thinking they all had the Police heads?? My book only lists the Police, CJ and SCJ's with the 73.5 combustion chamber.

 

hey , how are ya. well to start basically all 429/460 engines are the same, the only difference that separates them apart are the pistons,and the crank. all other parts are interchangable. all 429's did not come with police heads D20E-AB.. there are several different casting numbers for passenger caar heads, C8VE-E, C9VE-A, DOVE-C, D2VE-A2A, D3VE-AA, are some numbers. now if you want to see if you have a real 429 your going to haave to pull the pan to get the casting number off the crank, look for 4U, OR 4UA... 460's are as follows 2Y, 2YA, 2YAB, 2YABC, these numbers are for 1968 thru 1978. if your going to tear it apart to rebuild it pull the end cap off one of the rods and look on the bearing, if it is still factory parts it will state on the bearing 429/460. if you found one of the best year engines 1968- 1971 you'll find screw in rocker arm studs with rail type rocker arms (the tip of the valve sits in between two rails on the bottom of the rocker arm ).. 1972 and later 429/460's use a pedestal type, with non adjustable type fulcrum type rockers arms. your numbers are pretty good on the h.p. and torque numbers, more like 500 lb. ft. of torque though. after 1972 the compression drops and h.p. because of the e.p.a. standards. oh if you do by chance get to pull a rod with a piston out, if it's factory there will be a 429 or a 460 stamped on the piston, another clue for you. now you want deck heights::: 1968- 19701/2 429/460's are (10.300).. 19701/2 429 are (10.310)which would include 1971 .. 1972-1978 429's are (10.322)... 19701/2and 1971 460's are (10.310).. and 1972-1978 460's are (10.322). this is what my book shows. now if you should have the casting number on the cylinder head (D2VE-A2A) you have a very rare head 1972 is the only year ford made a open chamber head, i know this i have several pairs of these heads. i'm might decide in the future to sell my collection of engines i've been finding these engines for years and have SEVERAL of these engines 6 complete big blocks and i have 25 pairs of big block heads. mind boggoling isn't it. well i hope this helps you out a little any other questions i'll check back to see if i can help ya out futher. happy hunting and good luck. Ray ....

 

Can you recomend a book on these motors? I need something that focuses on casting numbers and has detailed information on the engines themselves. I'm going to look at this 429 next weekend, hopefully if it checks out ok I have it in my garage by Sunday.

 

ben_e,

Amazon.com has several books, George Reid is one author, with some great high performance ford engine books. Well worth the money.