My brother has a 73 Ranchero with a seized 351. He wants to put a 429 in will it fit? and He wants to put on a hood from an older GT with hood scoop.

Nathan

 

A 429 will fit but you will need a few things. You will need different motor mounts, different transmission or bell housing (and possibly different transmission mounts), different accessory brackets (AC, PS, alternator), probably a 3 or 4 core radiator, probably different hoses, and expect some changes in wiring and vacuum hose locations. I have not done it (yet) but I have also been looking into it. If the 351 has a C6 behind it, that will make it easier since you will already have the right connections, driveshaft, mounts, etc otherwise you will need those too. You will want a C6 (if you want auto - not even sure the FMX was available for the 429/460). Lastly - put a 460 in it. They are easier to find, cheaper, more powerful, and they are the same block - so the same external size.

Not sure on the hood - a 1972 hood MAY fit, but any earlier will not.


Tom

 

Oh yeah - one more thing - you MAY need stiffer front springs since the 429/460 engines are a bit heavier.

Tom

 

I noticed no one has been on this thread for 15 years...

 

Hello , I have a 79 ranchero with a 351 Windsor 5.8L engine. Do you know the vacuum hose diameters and lengths? I need to re-hose the Beast and I want to do it proper.