Ford 429/460 Engines: How to Rebuild

by Charles R. Morris

Overview

Get your Ford and its 385 Series 429- or 460-ci big-block engine, also known as the Lima engine, back in action using this comprehensive rebuilding guide.

In this revised edition of How to Rebuild Big-Block Ford Engines, now titled Ford 429/460 Engines: How to Rebuild, Ford expert Charles Morris covers all the procedures, processes, and techniques required to rebuild your powerplant. Step-by-step text provides details for determining whether your engine actually needs a rebuild, preparation and removal, disassembly, inspection, cleaning, machining and parts selection, reassembly, start-up, and tuning.

Also included is a chapter on building the special Boss 429 engines, as well as a bonus chapter on the Ford 351 Cleveland, Ford’s little brother to the big-block.

Ford was unique in that it had two very different big-block engine designs during the height of the muscle car era. The original FE engine design was pioneered in the late 1950s, primarily as a more powerful replacement for the dated Y-block design. What began as a torquey engine meant to move heavyweight sedans morphed into screaming high-performance mill that won Le Mans and drag racing championships throughout the 1960s.

By the late 1960s, the FE design was dated, so Ford replaced it with the 385 series in displacements of 429 and 460 ci, which was similar to the canted-valve Cleveland design being pioneered at the same time. It didn’t share the FE pedigree of racing success, mostly due to timing, but the new design was better in almost every way; it exists via Ford Motorsports’ offerings to this day.

Beginning in 1971, the 429 found its way between the fenders of Mustangs and Torinos in high-compression 4-barrel versions called the Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet, and it was one of the most powerful passenger car engines that Ford had ever built. If the muscle car era had not died out shortly after the release of these powerful engines, without a doubt, the 429 performance variants would be ranked with the legendary big-blocks of all time.

If you are planning to rebuild a Ford 429 or 460 engine, are in the process of a rebuild, or just want to learn more about Ford’s storied engines, this book is a must-have item for your shelf.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613254929
Publisher:	CarTech
Publication date:	03/21/2019
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	1,042,459
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Charles Morris is an auto enthusiast and a die-hard Ford fan who has written scores of articles for Ford car magazines. A drag racer since 1966, Morris has been a crewmember for a Top Alcohol Funny Car and a Pro/Stock team; he has also run cars in Stock, Super Stock, and Nostalgia Super Stock classes. He was a 2006 inductee into the USA 1 Nostalgia Dragfest Hall of Fame.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

What Is a Workbench Book?

Introduction

Chapter 1: Determining the Need to Rebuild Your Engine

High Mileage

Excessive Oil Consumption

Drop in Oil Pressure

Decrease in Performance

Engine Noise

Piston Slap

Bearing Noise

Diagnostic Tools and Steps

Chapter 2: Preparation and Removal

Research

Facilities

Tools Required

Machine Shop Services

Part Sources

Pulling the Engine

Chapter 3: Engine Disassembly

Chapter 4: Inspection and Parts Cleaning

Chapter 5: Machining and Parts Selection

Replacement and Performance Parts

Cylinder Block

Machining the Block

Crankshaft, Pistons, and Connecting Rods

Balancing the Rotating Assembly

Installing Pistons on Connecting Rods

Refurbishing the Cylinder Heads

Assembling the Cylinder Heads

Chapter 6: Assembly

Before You Begin

Preparing the Block for Assembly

Core and Freeze Plugs

Camshaft Installation

Main Bearing Inserts

Rear Main Oil Seal

Main Bearing Caps

Checking Crankshaft Endplay

Piston Rings

Installing the Rings onto the Pistons

Installing the Rods and Pistons

Torque the Connecting Rod Bolts

Checking Rod Side Clearance

Timing Chain and Gears

Timing Chain Cover, Vibration Damper, and Water Pump

Oil Pump and Oil Pan

Installing the Cylinder Heads

Valvetrain: Lifters, Pushrods, and Rocker Arms

Intake Manifold

Chapter 7: The Boss 429

A Little History

Three Versions and a New (Unofficial) Name

Building a Boss 429 for the 21st Century

Chapter 8: 335-Series (351-ci Cleveland)

Engines

A Little History

351M and 400

335-Series Parts Interchangeability

351 C Performance Cylinder Heads

Chapter 9: Engine Installation, Start-Up and Break-In

Installation

Start-Up

Break-In

Appendix

Source Guide

Editorial Reviews

"It's well worth the price."

Eastern Hot Rodder

"If your vehicle is powered by one of Ford's legendary muscle-era V-8s, you will definitely find this book useful, and a must-have for your garage or library."

Hemmings Motor News - Mark J. McCourt

"All types of Ford big block are covered here in minute detail with full color photography throughout and if you have one then you'll need this book, for sure. An essential guide, I would say."

Total Kit Car (UK)

"All in all, the book is a great addition to the big-block enthusiast's bookshelf, especially if you're a fan of the 385 "Lima" engine."

Modified Mustangs and Fords

"It's well worth the price."

Easern Hot Rodder