Mustang 429 engines swap

[Mike69cuda]

Not a Mopar question, but I think there are some experienced ford guys on the forum. I am thinking about buying a 71-73 Mach 1 (earlier years are to many $$$). A friend has a 429 and auto trans he would sell reasonably to me.

How much work would it be to swap the 429 in a small block car?

 

[RustyRatRod]

Not a Mopar question, but I think there are some experienced ford guys on the forum. I am thinking about buying a 71-73 Mach 1 (earlier years are to many $$$). A friend has a 429 and auto trans he would sell reasonably to me.

How much work would it be to swap the 429 in a small block car?

You will need the 429/460 engine mount stands, mounts and "whatever" transmission you plan to use. Automatic, I'd go C6. Manual I'd go Toploader or your choice of heavy duty aftermarket manual transmissions. Word of warning. The frame mount stands look VERY similar from small block to big block. They ain't the same.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Oh I forgot to add, if you're doing a 73 car, they are somehow "different". I'm sorry that's all I know. I don't know the details.

 

[Mike69cuda]

Im not sure what auto trans he has. I think the motor & trans are out of a 69 tbird.

I did a 390 to 429 swap in mercury Monterey, but that was close to 50 years ago. Seems like I remember swapping motor stands now that you mention it.

Don’t have a good prospect on a car yet, just investigating in case the opportunity happens.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Im not sure what auto trans he has. I think the motor & trans are out of a 69 tbird.

I did a 390 to 429 swap in mercury Monterey, but that was close to 50 years ago. Seems like I remember swapping motor stands now that you mention it.

Don’t have a good prospect on a car yet, just investigating in case the opportunity happens.

You should come get my Cleveland. lol

 

[Unconventional]

The pre '72 CJs at 10.5-1 were factory rated at 375. Not a bad start.

 

[ProjectBazza]

Not a Mopar question, but I think there are some experienced ford guys on the forum. I am thinking about buying a 71-73 Mach 1 (earlier years are to many $$$). A friend has a 429 and auto trans he would sell reasonably to me.

How much work would it be to swap the 429 in a small block car?

If memory serves, the only time 429’s were offered as OEM was in ‘71, part of the CJ or Super CJ package, so it is “do-able”. Now as far as parts availability goes, I have no idea, as I’m a ‘69-‘70 guy myself, but I don’t think the aftermarket covers the 71-‘73 Mustangs like they do the previous years (yet?), so do your parts homework before buying.

But at least you won’t be bashing transmission tunnels and cutting up inner fenders to make it fit, so as far as I’m concerned: If you can find the mounts and exhaust for it, go for it!

And keep us abreast of your progress, should you choose to take this on!

 

[missing linc]

If memory serves, the only time 429’s were offered as OEM was in ‘71, part of the CJ or Super CJ package, so it is “do-able”. Now as far as parts availability goes, I have no idea, as I’m a ‘69-‘70 guy myself, but I don’t think the aftermarket covers the 71-‘73 Mustangs like they do the previous years (yet?), so do your parts homework before buying.

But at least you won’t be bashing transmission tunnels and cutting up inner fenders to make it fit, so as far as I’m concerned: If you can find the mounts and exhaust for it, go for it!

And keep us abreast of your progress, should you choose to take this on!

Yes, 1971 was the only year for the 429 CJ and SCJ engines as a factory option, I have seen 72 and 73 models that were swapped in, but I do not know the details. All I remember was there wasn't much room left in the engine bay of my asshole brother's 71 SCJ Mach 1.

 

[1WildRT]

Im not sure what auto trans he has. I think the motor & trans are out of a 69 tbird.

I did a 390 to 429 swap in mercury Monterey, but that was close to 50 years ago. Seems like I remember swapping motor stands now that you mention it.

Don’t have a good prospect on a car yet, just investigating in case the opportunity happens.

You want a C6... Don't waste time or money on an FMX...

FMX, easy to identify, cast iron main housing

C6,

 

[missing linc]

You want a C6... Don't waste time or money on an FMX...

FMX, easy to identify, cast iron main housing
View attachment 1716474330

C6,
View attachment 1716474333

Absolutely. I roasted too many FMX transmissions behind my 351C.

 

[nutz]

guy has a 429 but is it a cj .....if not it would cheaper to build a cleveland ...or a boss 429

 

[Mike69cuda]

It was out of a thunderbird, so would it be just a regular 429? He said it was a 429 / 365 horse.

 

[nutz]

yes think cj is the high hp ..it would be like a 440 from a fury or a 440 hp in a charger
cam/heads /exhaust i'm sure a torque monster not a rev..hp engine

 

[1WildRT]

Mustangs Unlimited use to make and sell mount brackets, unfortunately they are no longer in business..

I did some searching & found this

429/460 engine block plates for motor mounts, fabricated, not stamped.
You can contact Ron Linenberger at dneveril302@gmail.com. He can fabricate the 429/460 engine mount metal plates that bolt to the engine block and use the 429 motor mounts that National Parts Depot sells.
You have to contact him to let him know which frame support perch you plan to use. He has different dimensions for these plates to accommodate 429 or 351 frame perch on 71 or 73 Mustangs.
His plates are reasonably priced including shipping through USPS with a tracking number.

Since the real 429 frame perch is like hens teeth getting the 351 style bracket is probably the best option..

 

[1WildRT]

It was out of a thunderbird, so would it be just a regular 429? He said it was a 429 / 365 horse.

A cut & paste from Google

The standard 429 Thunder Jet V8 engine produced 360 horsepower and was part of Ford's 385 big-block engine family, available from 1968 to 1971. While powerful, it was a more refined, upscale engine for passenger cars and was not as extreme as its high-performance counterparts, such as the 429 Cobra Jet.

• Horsepower: 360 hp
• Torque: 480 lb-ft
• Displacement: 429 cubic inches (7.0 liters)
• • Key features: Four-barrel carburetor, 10.5:1 compression, hydraulic lifters, and Ford's "poly angle" canted valve heads
  • Applications: Found in full-size Fords, Thunderbirds, and some Mercury models

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yes, 1971 was the only year for the 429 CJ and SCJ engines as a factory option, I have seen 72 and 73 models that were swapped in, but I do not know the details. All I remember was there wasn't much room left in the engine bay of my asshole brother's 71 SCJ Mach 1.

That's correct. The only CJ available in 72 Was the 351C.

 

[RustyRatRod]

The only thing you have to watch out for with Ford engines is retarded camshaft timing. Some folks think they stopped it when the 70s arrived, but they didn't. I've seen first hand a 76 460 even in a cop car that had 8 degrees retard on the cam. It was ridiculous. So be wary of THAT.

 

[ProjectBazza]

It was out of a thunderbird, so would it be just a regular 429? He said it was a 429 / 365 horse.

Only way to know is to get the numbers off the engine. And even then, it’s an old engine, and who knows how many people have had their hands on it….

And the FMX/C6 advice is spot-on! Run, don’t walk, away from an FMX. Another way to tell them apart is the FMX has a bolt-on bell housing, while the C6 is one piece, if you will. 1WildRT’s pictures show this pretty well.

Re-reading this thread it sounds like you don’t have the car deal wrapped-up, but if it DOES work out, know that you don’t “need” a 429 to make good power these days. Unless you’re a traditionalist, a stroker Windsor (or a Clevor) could give you the same or better HP numbers than on OEM 429, but with a lighter block. Don’t get me wrong, I love the 385 engines, but the power guys are getting out of Windsor-based engines these days is mind boggling!

 

[RustyRatRod]

The FMX is a good transmission. The problem with them is, the aftermarket decided to quit supporting them, since they were the most scarce transmissions in the Ford lineup. If good parts were still available, they'd be a formidable transmission. I've looked and can't even find a converter for one.

 

[1WildRT]

Only way to know is to get the numbers off the engine. And even then, it’s an old engine, and who knows how many people have had their hands on it….

And the FMX/C6 advice is spot-on! Run, don’t walk, away from an FMX. Another way to tell them apart is the FMX has a bolt-on bell housing, while the C6 is one piece, if you will. 1WildRT’s pictures show this pretty well.

Re-reading this thread it sounds like you don’t have the car deal wrapped-up, but if it DOES work out, know that you don’t “need” a 429 to make good power these days. Unless you’re a traditionalist, a stroker Windsor (or a Clevor) could give you the same or better HP numbers than on OEM 429, but with a lighter block. Don’t get me wrong, I love the 385 engines, but the power guys are getting out of Windsor-based engines these days is mind boggling!

And the Windsor based engine actually has room the engine bay to work... Those shock towers really intrude into the working room, a wide engine only makes it worse..

 

[ProjectBazza]

The only thing you have to watch out for with Ford engines is retarded camshaft timing. Some folks think they stopped it when the 70s arrived, but they didn't. I've seen first hand a 76 460 even in a cop car that had 8 degrees retard on the cam. It was ridiculous. So be wary of THAT.

Funny you should mention that, Rob. The timing cover in my ‘92 F250 (460) leaks, and I’m considering pulling it apart this winter to seal everything up. And “while I’m in there…” replace the timing chain, as the engine has just a tick over 100k miles on it. I’ve been reading on FTE that the ‘92 gear set may be retarded as well, which has me thinking…..

 

[1WildRT]

Funny you should mention that, Rob. The timing cover in my ‘92 F250 (460) leaks, and I’m considering pulling it apart this winter to seal everything up. And “while I’m in there…” replace the timing chain, as the engine has just a tick over 100k miles on it. I’ve been reading on FTE that the ‘92 gear set may be retarded as well, which has me thinking…..

It is...

 

[ProjectBazza]

It is...

Damn.

And thanks!

 

[missing linc]

Re-reading this thread it sounds like you don’t have the car deal wrapped-up, but if it DOES work out, know that you don’t “need” a 429 to make good power these days. Unless you’re a traditionalist, a stroker Windsor (or a Clevor) could give you the same or better HP numbers than on OEM 429, but with a lighter block. Don’t get me wrong, I love the 385 engines, but the power guys are getting out of Windsor-based engines these days is mind boggling!

This^^^^^^^ If I had the $$$, I would be building a 71 Boss 351 clone, either with a Cleveland or a stroker Windsor 408 and a 5 speed. The 429 CJ and SCJ was a badass ride, no question about it, but there was a reason why the original Boss 351 was often called the best all around package Mustang in the day.

 

[Mike69cuda]

Thanks for all the info! I have done a fair mount of internet research, but it is always nice to hear from folks who have lived it. I don’t know that I am really interested spending a lot of money just to make a lot of power. A 351 may well be the best deal, as many have suggested. I was more thinking of a nostalgia build, a 429 mustang is definitely out of the norm. With my friend having the engine I can get cheap, maybe I am just dreaming…..