The Ford 385-Series Big Block Engines
429 and 460
brought to you by: Dave Williams
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Last Updated: 26 Jun 2003
Author: Dave Williams; dlwilliams=aristotle=net
The big block Ford engine line was introduced as the 460 in the Lincoln
Continental. In 1969 the destroked 429 inch engine was announced as being
developed for the Mercury Cyclone, though it was available in other bodies.
The 429/460 is similar to the MEL series in that it is very similar to a
competing Chevrolet product, in this case the Chevrolet Mark IV big block.
Not only does the 429/460 cylinder head look very similar, but the valves and
rocker arms are so similar that many aftermarket sources list the same part
numbers for both brands.
Big Block Ford Engines
This 1969 429 was one of the last without an air pump. This isn't really a
representative picture, as almost all of the big blocks carried power steering
pumps, air conditioner compressors, etc.
This cutaway shows the full-length water jackets on the cylinder bores, the
adjustable valvetrain used in the early engines, and the Delco starter used by
the big block engines. I've never known exactly why Ford used GM starters on
the big blocks.
Big Block Ford Specifications
displacement 429 460
years made
bore 4.36" 4.36"
stroke 3.59" 3.85"
length 30"
width 27"
height 24"
weight
1969 429-2V 320 HP @ 4400 RPM, 460 ft-lb @ 2200 RPM 10.5:1 CR
1969 429-4V 360 HP @ 4600 RPM, 480 ft-lb @ 2800 RPM 10.5:1 CR
1969 460-4V 365 HP @ 4600 RPM, 500 ft-lb @ 2800 RPM 10.5:1 CR
All 429/460 engines use nodular cast iron crankshafts, SAE 1041-H forged steel
connecting rods, and aluminum pistons. Camshafts are "special alloy cast
iron", induction hardened and phosphate coated. The pistons were tin-plated
to reduce scuffing during the break-in period and had moly-filled top rings.
Big Block Ford Heads
This is a 429 Cobra Jet head. It has larger valves and intake ports than the
base heads. This is the small combustion chamber. The difference between the
small and large chamber heads isn't as dramatic as that between the Cleveland
heads.
The air flow of the 429 is compromised somewhat. The valves are smaller than
they could be since they're shoved off to the outside of the block instead of
being back in the middle where there's more room. The intake ports are curved
to direct air into the side of the bore instead of the middle of the cylinder.
Most Ford engines do this, but it has been proven to make less power than the
center-directed ports.
The 460 heads crimp the exhaust port down just like a 351 Cleveland, and for
the same reason - the bulky heads didn't fit well in some of Ford's carlines,
and the exhaust had to get out somehow. This head has been milled and fitted
with a raised port plate like the Clevelands used to do.
The 429/460 uses the usual 4-bolt cylinder head bolt pattern. Bolts are 9/16"
in diameter, torqued to 130-140 ft-lbs.
Typical closed-chamber, high performance head.
Big Block Ford Valvetrain
Here's how Ford's Muscle Parts division recommended you rework the 429 valve
for use with ported heads.
Big Block Ford Intakes
Here's how a dual plane intake was arranged on a 429/460. The firing order
makes the engine look like two interlaced V4s instead of two inline fours.
The dual plane intake connects the cylinders so that each side of the carb
sees evently spaced intake events.
Big Block Ford Oiling System
429 oiling system. Oil goes from the pump to the passenger side lifter
gallery, which also forms the mail oil gallery. This system is much bemoaned
by the 351 Cleveland fans, but it works just fine on the 429 and engines like
the Pontiac and Olds V8s.
Ford's specification for oil pressure was "35 to 75 PSI at 2000 RPM", most
engines tended toward the lower end of that range.
Big Block Ford Blocks
Alan Root aluminum block, circa 1984. These were intended for BOSS 429s, but
would work with any big block Ford, of course. The Root blocks are easily
identified by the side-mount water pump boss. As far as I know Root never
made a pump to bolt on there; their catalog didn't show one, anyway. 10.3 or
11.2 deck height, up to 4.625 bore. Low deck blocks weighed 138#, high decks
145#.
Big Block Ford Reciprocating Assembly
Big Block Ford Exhaust Manifolds
Big Block Ford Miscellaneous Bits
The BOSS 429 and '69 429 Thunderbird water pumps were about 1/2" shorter than
the other big block pumps. The BOSS pump is long discontinued, of course.