I have a circa-1970 429 engine with 4-barrel heads, and a C6 tranny. It's been sitting in a barn since 1984 and I'm finally ready to start rebuilding it. I'm looking for ideas:
- engine buildup info from anyone who's gone through this with a 429/460 block
- whether it's a good idea to keep the C6 or go with a C4
- body ideas

I'm not looking to build a race motor, but want around 400HP. Transmission is up in the air... I'm sure the C6 can be rebuilt, but I don't want to use it if it wastes 20% of my HP. I would prefer a Mustang body, but don't want to squeeze it in where it doesn't fit.

 

i think youll have to modify the shock towers to fit in a 429

 

...in a 66? Thats major surgery....even a 67-68 has trouble with that.....but heck, everything's been done at least once

Crites Resto makes a 429-in-a-67 swap kit you can look into. You need a new hood, and no power steering or maual trans. Its nose-heavy too, obviously.



I had a 429 with the DOVE-C heads, mild cam, with a C6 once.....great lowend and midrange. You wont need more than a mild build to burn your tires to the cord...assuming you can shoehorn it in there ...but it will handle like a pig on rollerskates.

Id vote for C6. It would take a heavily built C4 to withstand that motor.
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Mady cam

 

i built a 460 not to long ago. it needed a lot of work and was sitting for years like yours. there is a huge aftermarket for the 429 but the engine hp output is really based on how much money you have. there are a few good forums out there but the best one i go to is www.corral.net they have a 351c (thats my baby) and a 429/460 only section. hope this helps in any way

 

Thanks for the input. I'll check the other forums too, thanks 69Mach1.

Couple of points of clarification:
- I don't want to modify shock towers, so I'm looking for something it'll drop in easily (Torino, Cougar, Fairlane, 69-73 stang...)
- I am NOT planning to put the 429 in my 66
- I already fight manual steering, so I need enough room for p/s.
- Thought maybe a C4 (or Toploader?) would lighten it enough to compensate for the heavier engine, but maybe it wouldn't help much given where the weight is...

 

You will be wanting an intermediate (Torino, Fairlane, etc) if you want to retain PS, as you say. Ive always like the 66-67 Fairlanes myself
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Affair Live

 

I've never heard of bolting a C4 to a bigblock. I don't think anyone has a bellhousing for that.

 

Me neither, it would take quite a bit of work to even ATTEMPT to make one fit, Nathan

 

Actually, FORD has a bellhousing for that!
The C4 was used behind some 351M's in the late 70's. A 351M/400 shares the bellhousing bolt pattern with the 429/460. I also believe that Performance Automatic (or somebody) makes one for the 429 - especially since they even make a C4 - FE bellhousing.

400hp is an easy goal - mild cam, intake & headers will get you close.

Body-wise - a 69-70 Cougar would be a different choice. The 429/460 also BOLTS IN to a 79-94 Fox-body Mustang, using a swap kit.

 

Thanks cloney - the C4 is definitely tempting. I would need to find one and have it rebuilt by a perf shop, but that shouldn't be hard - might even be able to sell the C6 on ebay and cover a chunk of the cost.

I had a 70 Cougar in high school, but it was pretty much trashed before I got it. I like the curved body line on the 70, and the headlights and tailights.

I've never had a Fox-body, but I think that would be the way to go if I decide I want to spend some time at the 1/4-track.

 

Go with a 70 or 71 Torino. Not many around and they look cool fixed up nice.

Or the Fairlane, just they are usually more $$$

 

I don't care for the Fairlanes IMO. A fox body would be rippin' with that engine, I just can't wait to see the result, Nathan

 

What about a 71-73 Mustang Fastback? I love the lines on that.

how about a big fat cruiser? get a 69-71 Galaxie convertible and just have a nice big torquey motor to push that barge.

 

def go for the C4 over the C6. i have both sitting in my garage and i decided to go with the C4 with my 351c and my brothe is using the C6 for his 429. there is a huge difference in weight and size between the 2