suggestions

[hotrod ford]

The 72 429 has the worst 385 series heads ever made the D2VE's. I vote keep the 360. It'll do just fine and won't cost a dime to put in the truck since it's already there. If you had a thunderjet 360HP 429 or an early lincoln 460 I might say go for it, but there is no reason to put any effort or money into a 72 429 (or any 71 and later 429 for that matter).

Does Ford really claim 480 lb/ft of torque for a thunderjet 429 convincor? I'd say a bit of wishful thinking on that one.

then it's not a 72'. because i wrote down the numbes in a notebook and the heads are D1VE. what year is that?

[averagef250]

D1VE is '71, but those would still be used on an early 72 429 so you're probably right.

[hotrod ford]

yeah, i think you are right. even if its not the underpowered 429 i can still get what i want out of the 360 and save my money for the rest of the truck.

[convincor]

Does Ford really claim 480 lb/ft of torque for a thunderjet 429 convincor? I'd say a bit of wishful thinking on that one.

Yep, that's right out of ford performance by Pat Ganahl.
I've still got a under hood tag around from a 70 Lincoln that rated the 460 at 365hp and 500ft.lbs..

[69rangerman]

I know zip about these engines, but I do know that, unless you have the skills, the real money is in the body work, paint, trim, and interior if you're restoring.

If it runs well now, spend the money to get it solid and sharp. Make the engine decision later. My

[willowbilly3]

Even the "worst" 429 heads are still pretty decent flowing. They just have that thermactor bump in the exhaust port. On any given street engine you would probably rarely wind the engine out far enough to see any real difference in seat of the pants feel.
This is an issue that seems to evade common sense. I used to argue with customers all the time that thought they needed 2.02 heads on the 350 in their plow truck. Or some big hogged out heads on an engine that will rarely see the high side of 3000 rpm. If I had D0, C8 or C9 heads I would definately use them but keep in mind they don't have hard seats and I'm guessing the D1 might. For a street beast the later heads are still fine. Just my 2 cents

[fomocoguy]

If you're not really concerned with drag racing or big power gains, you would be better off with your 360 hands down. The first thing you said is that eventually you want to make the truck all original, so why spend $$$ (and quite a bit of it) on headers, mounts, exhaust, and everything that will be entailed with converting to the 429 if your going to change it back eventually? Plus, I have to agree that over the last couple years I've come to my own opinion that FE's belong in these trucks and they make them unique compared to the newer Fords. JMHO!

[hotrod ford]

360 it is. thanks guys.