Hello everyone, New to the H.A.M.B thought I'd introduce myself. I recently obtained a 57 custom 300 2dr that has Street Freak painted on the trunk panel. Car was set up as a racer in its hey day out by Byron Illinois and I'm thinking of returning it to a street machine or gasser. I have a few engine options at my disposal and would like some opinions as to which would help pull off that nostalgic look. Which would work best, a 352 W, a 390, 460, 351 W, or 429 thunderjet? All are early to late 60s motors, but its all I have. Let me know what you think. Thx
I've been a 57 Ford guy since 1964. Currently own 3 of them as well as a 58 and a 59. The only one stock is the 59 because it's the Odd Ball. For myself there is nothing like an FE and it's just to easy not to go that route. If your 429 is in good health do yourself a favor set it in place and get on with it. Don't look back and you'll never regret it. Sell that Boat Anchor 460 to help finance parts your going to need. Set the 390 aside for a back up should you ever need one.
All of the ones you mentioned fit well. The FE's are probably the most common swap, they even use the same motor mounts as the y-block. I have a 460 based engine in my 57 and it does get a little tight length wise as in fan to radiator. To do the 429-460 swap properly you should trim the rad support a bit and use a larger capacity radiator. Choosing between the 429 or 460 I'd go with the 460 hands down. Much more parts choice's with the 460 as 429's were made for only 5 years, 460's were produced right into the 90's.
If the 429 is from '69 to '71 I would go with that. Anyway post some pictures of the thing. I have a '59 Custom 300.
Isn't a 460 simply a stroked 429? Some years almost all parts are identical except pistons. Early years both429 & 460 had about 10.5 compression (before they retarded the cams for emissions reduction). Have built a few of these 385 series engines. One was a super cobra jet 460 alcohol burning mill in dirt tracker. I love both sizes. Greg
429 pistons and crankshafts are getting a little harder to come by if your on a budget is the reason I'd go with a 460. Plus it's a free extra 30 cubes.
I'm going to put a 429 in my '57 Ranchero. Does someone know what mounts work? Also I really want to go manual any help on the set up would be appreciated. Bell housing, trans, etc. Another question is the 429 I have has the front sump on it. How big of a problem is this going to be? Thank you - Tim
Crites has mounts and other parts for your swap. You need a front-sump pan to clear the tie rods. For a bellhousing, you have to do some research. I was contemplating the swap and the 429/460, 351M and 400 will work. I was looking at truck parts at the time. A hydraulic clutch is probably the easiest way to go. https://critesperformanceparts.com/page6
Bore your 429 out and use 460 pistons with 440 mopar rods with your 429 crank and make it a 435 cu.in. screamer. Very popular in cubic inch limited pulling trucks. Go to 429-460 forum . RPMcomprandy is great source for info on that combo. He makes 800 hp of reliable power. If you go with an FE I would build a 445 stroker out of a 390 block. I using a 460 then a 501 stroker . I really like spending other peoples money.
Thank you, This makes a great starting point. Fords are a quest sometimes to get everything to line up.
If it's a stock Ford / Mercury front sump it will work, but you will have 1/4"-3/8" to the cross member. The problem is the way the pan gradually slopes up, it gets tight. I used a Milodon 31929 pan. It squares off from the sump and offers more clearance. Has good ground clearance and will clear Crites headers if you use them.
If you go the FE stroker save the 390 crank rods and pistons bore the 352 .050 and use the 390 stuff with rings and bearings you have a fresh engine. Or if the 390 is fresh just use the 352 for the stroker it will stand .080 0ver.
While not quite a necro-thread....I think this one is on life support. The OP has made one post with no follow up. Just saying.....before you type out well thought advice.
Thx for the info everyone, was locked out of account for a bit. This is the car and engine is 68 429 . No pics of that yet.
Last photo was supposed to be first. Thats its current home with the rest of my current collection while I make room in my garage. The other cars I'm currently sellin . The first pic is the hood that was on car.
I have one like yours, a Custom. If you need any help with anything 57 Ford you should consider joining 57 Ford international. http://57fordsforever.com/about.htm
Those are Fords at it for my 50s era cars . My high school Buddy , his Dad had one with a 427 , single 4V and a T10 in it . Huge cam , 4.30 with a Locker . In high school there was nothing better to me , except what I was drivin a 67 Fairlane with a 427 and top loader .
From what I have found on this car it originally had a 428 CJ and 4spd in it back in its prime. Would love to set it up exactly as it was raced back in the day, however in true gasser fashion I'm going with parts I have on hand and what I can scrounge up to build her. Thanks again for all the great info everyone.
It's hard to tell from the photo's. What year is that Cougar in the back ground. Sort of looking for a 67.
That is a 67 XR7. 289 4bbl with automatic. Shes got some rust underneath but nothing thats not repairabl . Found all parts needed at WCCC for about $900 . Just dont have the time. Was going to list here
I had played with a bunch or 429/460 stuff when I was racing stock cars. First engine was out of a '69 Marquis. Used a Chet Herbert cheater cam and a Holley 2-barrel backed by a C6.
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