caspercrib

I have a 69' Thunderbird with a stock 429 Thunderjet. I am wanting to rebuild this motor with about 500-550 HP. I am looking for a build that I can put together to get this accomplished. I am new to motor building so if you can dumb it down a bit that would be great! I am willing to buy some aluminum heads if needed and have already considered a 460 crank. The car is heavy so I'm assuming that will affect my build as well. I am mainly looking for street application with the occasional quarter mile run. I don't plan on long distance driving, I would say the farthest would be to a car show which is 75 miles once a year. I know this motor came with 10.5-1 compression heads, so I don't know if I need aluminum heads, or if it would just be easier to get them. I'm not afraid to drop a little extra cash if it's easier. I would like to do most of the work myself, and I need to know what bore I should go with, etc. I don't mind using premium fuel, but I'd like to stay away from racing gas if I can. Thanks!

Dean

Paul Kane

Dean,

500-550 hp can be generated with iron OEM block, heads, and crankshaft. That being said, it would be wise to use a 460 crankshaft in your particular case. With the 460 crankshaft, your street engine will benefit from the improved torque curve, and you will also have an endless choice in piston options which can help you zero in on a pump gas friendly compression ratio.

550 hp will require an upgrade to a complete roller rocker valve train. It will also be necessary to port the heads, and good porting is always important. Also needed is a double-roller timing chain, cam kit, connecting rod prep work, forged pistons, a performance distributor, an aluminum intake manifold and bigger carburetor.

The 1969 429 was rated at 360 hp but in reality generated about 320 hp when new. 550 hp is more than most people realize. Hope you don't mind my asking this but are you sure you want 550 hp? The reason I am asking is because you can do a 450 hp build for considerably less, and at 550 hp the 460 engine starts to get a little "peaky" in regards to where that power is generated in the rpm range. One way to bring that higher horsepower level to a lower rpm range is to build a bigger engine (stroker) and that can get expensive for just 550 hp. Compared to what your engine may generate today (perhaps 300 hp in good tune), building a 450 hp engine will increase its power by 50%. Also, a 450 hp 460 on pump gas is easeir than 550 hp 460 on pump gas. I can suggest a build for 450 or 550; let me know and I then I'll make a suggestion.

Paul

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SleepWarz

Sorry to bump...

I'm in a simmilar situation with a 69 bird and a 429 thunderjet. However I would be happy just with going for 450hp.

What are some build suggestions you can make for that?

Paul Kane

Must this engine be pump gas friendly, and if so, what is your approximate location and available pump gas octane rating?

Primarily street driven vehicle? Will you ever race it at all (even 1-2 times a year)?

Paul

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SleepWarz

Yes it would need to be pump friendly. We have easy access to 94 at a few chains of stations up here. West cost of canada just above washington state. It will be mostly street driven with one or two track days a year at the 1/4.

Thanks for the questions paul. =)