blake in spokane

Is there such a 71, Mercury 429, 2 barrel? How to identify a 429? The reason for asking is theres one on Craigslist wanted to go check out. And one more question which engine, the one above or a 77 460, 4b, out of a Thunderbird?

93F-150

what do you wanna put it in?

SuzukiRider

Dont quote me but I think 429 Mercurys 2 Barrels were boat motors.


1977 Thunderbirds did have a 4 barrel 460, which is a good year but they are smog heads so they have low compression with big valves. They flow a lot but need the compression bumped to make good power.

EBinMT

Yes. 320hp

A '77 460 is rated at 212hp. Until 72, HP was rated SAE gross, then they used net which decreased ratings slightly. This was also when car companies had to start meeting emissions. Compression ratios plummeted from 10-11 to 8. Personally I would go with the 429 if it is in good working condition and I was looking for a good motor that could make power without opening it up and rebuilding it from the ground up. Slap on a 4b intake and let the good times roll. The 460 is a same bore but longer stroke. By 77 compression was down to 8.5, that that is probably a generous number. But if you just want a block and crank to build a motor around for big HP, the 460 is probably the way to go.

"Identification
The 385 engine family can be identified by counting the number of bolts that hold down each valve cover. If you count seven bolts, then you have a 429 or 460 V8. All other Ford V8 engines have a different valve-cover bolt count. To differentiate a 429 from a 460, check the orientation of the thermostat housing on the front of the engine block. If it is pointing upward, it is a 460."