Boss 429 motor swap

[automart]

Lots of info here, I have not been out to look at the engine yet, I'm a little confused. Was there a different 429 used in Alcohol Funny cars back in the 70's? Is there anything I should look for in particular that would make this motor less attractive. I don't really care about the blowers, etc. I would just prefer the stock engine.

 

[ratio411]

hey Dave, i was only talking about the big body stangs...

It's interesting stuff how the 71-3 was made for the Boss, but they didn't even bother to follow through.
Would have been a great car.

My post was directed at the post about the 69 Boss just having the engine compartment BFH'd to fit the big mill.
I have never seen a Boss, restored or original, with hammer marks in the engine bay.
I had never heard about the shock towers being Fairlane, but they do look like 65s now that you mention it, at least 65 IIRC.

 

[zookeeper]

Lots of info here, I have not been out to look at the engine yet, I'm a little confused. Was there a different 429 used in Alcohol Funny cars back in the 70's? Is there anything I should look for in particular that would make this motor less attractive. I don't really care about the blowers, etc. I would just prefer the stock engine.

Anything that was used in a funny car will very likely not be what you're looking for. If it's a Ford motor (as in used to really be in a Boss 429 Mustang) look for filled water jackets. Engine builders fill the block partway with various hardeners to make the block more rigid, this kind of thing doesn't work well on the street. If it's an Allan Root-designed (A/R) or Arias Boss 429, then it may not even have water jackets. Some did and some didn't and the solid blocks can't be used on the street and may not even have motor mount pads. But if it is a real Boss and it's anywhere near saveable it's worth far more than $5,000.

 

[brianj5600]

If the FC was from the 70's it must be a Ford Boss. The Arias did not come out until around 83. I was just kidding about the blower.

 

[bnickel]

It's interesting stuff how the 71-3 was made for the Boss, but they didn't even bother to follow through.
Would have been a great car.

My post was directed at the post about the 69 Boss just having the engine compartment BFH'd to fit the big mill.
I have never seen a Boss, restored or original, with hammer marks in the engine bay.
I had never heard about the shock towers being Fairlane, but they do look like 65s now that you mention it, at least 65 IIRC.

my mistake, i thought you were referencing my post. i wish i could remember where i read that little detail about the 65 fairlane towers but i'm pretty sure it was one of the mustang mags, just don't know which one, could have been hot rod or car craft i guess too but i doubt it.

AFAIK, the 70's drag cars still used a stock boss block and heads but they were likely very heavily massaged and as mentioned it's very possible that the block was at least partially filled. sometimes they used concrete to fill the blocks though i don't how common this practice was in the 70's but it was the prevelant way to fill a block ni the 60's and quite possible that it was still used well into the 70's. if this block was filled and they used to concrete to fill it it is at least fairly easy to break it up and get it all out but very tedious and time consuming and you have to make sure you get it all out. once you have it pretty well cleaned of big chunks then you could use muriatic acid to get the residue out but you have to make sure you get all of that as well, takes lot's of rinsing.

if it turns out it is an aftermarket block i'm sure you can sell it to someone building a vintage funny car, they might even be interested in any of the parts you remove as well.