Thread: 429 aftermarket heads?

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Hello all, I was just wandering if anyone knows if it would be worth the money for some aftermarket al. heads or just slap some reworked dove heads on my 73 429. If so what brand and specs work good on a 429. This is a street machine, and occasional strip.
Thanks

A pair of aluminum heads will cost at the least $1,800 assembled. How fast do you want to go?

I would like to make 450-500 ponies. Right now I am trying to research all the info on this motor before I buy anything. I would like to start with the heads because everything I read on engine building says that most of your engine components perform only as well as the heads allow. But, I am not sure what size intake/exhaust runners are efficient for the motor. I probably will be running it in the 1500-6000 rpm range. I would like more bottom end than top end power. My dilema is that if I slap on dove heads (possibly port and polished) would they be sufficent enough for this application, or should I spend the cash for the aftermarket heads.

the only reason i personaly would run aluminum is for detonation resistance they only flow minute amounts more than a well ported set of D0VE heads so unless you are having problems with a little too much compression i wouldn't waste my money. i would subscribe to this sit and port my own heads http://www.reincarnation-automotive.com/ it's $25 plus a die grinder and a couple carbide bits and you are still comin in under the price of aluminum. just my $0.02

For that level of performance, no reason to put out the $$$$ for aluminum heads. The new John Kasse aluminum heads available from Ford SVT would be severe overkill for the street with their huge runners (330 CFM intake and 225 CFM exhaust) They are made for hi RPM race prepped motors. Like Chappy said, even a mild port on DOVE cast iron heads is more than adequate for street use.

well i know Scott Johnston AKA the madd porter recently done a little test between heads i believe the difference between his ported early heads, D0VE, C8VE, etc., was only around 30 cfm. now bear in mind i think he was running non ported aluminum heads vs. his modified iron. so with that in mind the only reason for switching is to get the last couple ponies or for detonation. by the way for those who don't know Scott is the owner of reincarnation the link i gave in a previous post.
450-500 ponies is easy to achieve. a good port job on at least the exhaust side. zero deck the block, bore .030 over,a set of KB 22cc D dish hypers, a good set of connecting rods i personally would suggest the eagle h-beams, either a stealth or an air gap, 750+ cfm carb i wouldn't go much bigger than 850 no need, select a cam for your rmp range i myself would call comp or get with scott and have one custom ground,a set of headers wouldn't hurt but you will only loose about 20 hp if you decide that you want to use your manifolds.
also ya might want to do some talking to paul kane about the oiling mods and oil pump he sure knows that part better than anyone i've talked to.
this combo should have ya knockin on 500 hp's door. set it in and hold on and have fun.

Thanks alot guys, I think now I'm going to search for some dove's.
I'll spend that money that I was gonna spend on heads on suspension.
Thanks again

Chappy really nailed it down for you Parker. The folks he mentioned are the absolute best in BBF performance. You won't go wrong with any of theirs (or Chappy's) advice.

if ya get ahold of scott he always has the early castings in stock. so does paul kane come to think of it. ya should be able to pick up a set for around $375 or so. search no more.

Originally posted by parkerusaf
anyone knows if it would be worth the money for some aftermarket al. heads or just slap some reworked dove heads on my 73 429. If so what brand and specs work good on a 429. This is a street machine, and occasional strip.
Thanks

If you motor is a 1973 429, then swapping out the D3VE heads for early style C8VE, C9VE or D0Ve heads will be fine. your compression ratio will be perhaps 9:1 with the early-style iron heads.

I
No matter what head you get, you will need to get a new valve train also...if going away from the D3VE heads.

Paul

Do you mean different valve sizes?

new rocker arms push rods etc.

Alrighty then, I was not aware of that.

Right now there is a set of D0VE-C heads for sale on Ebay. They are going for under $200 right now. Just search for 429 460 D0VE-C heads and it will come right up.

wow this place has it's own BBf section! I'm a noob please excuse the jubilation, not used to this good stuff!