powerbronc78

I purchased a 1978 Bronco with a swapped in 429, I was told it is a 1969 Police Interceptor. I am wondering if any one can tell me if they made a Police motor in 1969, or if I can determine what is really is by the casting numbers on the heads and block. I am going to rebuild the motor so I need to know what I have.

Thanks!

Paul Kane

The 429 Police Interceptor was not offered until 1971. And in that year, it was basically a 429 Cobra Jet engine with D0OE-R heads. In 1972, the 429PI had it's own designated cylinder heads, D20E-AB.

The 1968, 1969 and 1970 PI motors were 428PI engines, of the Ford FE Series family (the 429/460 is from the 385 Series engine family; engine parts are not interchangable between the two engine families), so there is no such thing as a 1969 429PI engine, there is only a 1969 428PI engine.

The cylinder head casting numbers are located on the outside of the head, along the valve cover mounting rail and between the 3rd and 4th exhaust ports. The are visible simply by raising the hood and looking at the engine from either side of the Bronco. You should be able to find a cast-in alphanumeric number, possible one of the following:

• C8AE-H (FE engine)
• D2TE-AA (FE engine)
• C9VE-A (385 Series engine)
• D0VE-C (385 Series engine)
• D2VE-AA (385 Series engine)
• D2OE-AB (385 Series engine, PI heads)
• D3VE-A2A (385 Series engine)

The cylinder block casting number is located on the outside of the engine block, behind the starter motor and read vertically. A 429/460 block might be:

• C9VE-B
• D0VE-A
• D1VE-(various suffix)
• D9TE-AB

For a brief read on block differences, click HERE


Paul

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