Looking for ideas on how to build a high compression 429

I am in the planning stages of building a 429 engine for class racing. I would like a high compression 429 to run on alcohol, but I am not finding a large selection of pistons for the 429. Is a custom piston my only choice? Are there any odd ball combinations with a 460 piston and a diiferent rod that should work?

The main reason I decided to ditch the 429 crank and swap in a 460 setup was this exact reason. But I was looking for low compression, have you checked Diamond pistons or Keith Black yet? I know KB has a couple of them, they are Hyperuetectic though.

I need to stay with a 429 so I can stay in a certain class. I would like the extra strength of a forged piston.

what cyl heads?

501ranger wrote:I am in the planning stages of building a 429 engine for class racing. I would like a high compression 429 to run on alcohol, but I am not finding a large selection of pistons for the 429. Are there any odd ball combinations with a 460 piston and a diiferent rod that should work?

Yes, you can start with the TRW L2443 dome-top piston (which is meant to be used with a 460) and fit it to the 3.59" stroke 429 crankshaft via the common Chrysler 440 "LY" connecting rod (6.76"). With ported, large-valve D0VE heads, you will end up with about 13.5:1 compression ratio, which is pretty nice for alcohol. The componenet stack height is 10.315" nominal, so any D1VE or D9TE block is suiatable.

In order to do this setup:

• The 440 LY rod will need to have the pin end bushed down from the Mopar 1.094" pin diameter to the BBF 1.040" pin diameter; bushings are readily available, and,
  
• The 429 crankshaft's 2.500" Ford rod journal diameter will need to be reduced to the Mopar 2.375" rod journal diameter, at which point a standard Mopar bearing can be used.

Mopar rods on 429's and 460's used to be pretty commmon before all the offshore cheapo cookie cutter stroker kits came out.

Paul

George Keown has a set of .030 429 pistons with some healthy knots on top of em

Diamond only has 4 429 pistons and they all have 3 cc domes.

richter69 wrote:what cyl heads?

DOVE heads

I helped a buddy degree a cam in his 429 deal here a few winters ago, he had some kind of Wiesco dome in it if I recall.

I'm sure Diamond has or can do whatever you want if money is not a huge concern lol.

the mopar rod deal paul spoke of works pritty well.IMO

cool40 wrote:the mopar rod deal paul spoke of works pritty well.IMO

Yeh, and it's an inexpensive shelf dome-top piston, OEM crank and rods. (C-H-E-A-P.) Of course, depending on intended horsepower & rpm you could go with an aftermarket rod. Still cheap. And strong.

Paul

The engine would be in a 4400 pound sand/dirt drag truck. I would like 550 or 600 horsepower to be competitive. So far the parts I am thinking about using include a big custom solid flat tappet cam, victor intake, 5000 rpm convertor, 2 inch headers, forged pistons and ported DOVE heads. Do you guys think that’s a reasonable goal for the given parts?

501ranger wrote: I would like 550 or 600 horsepower to be competitive...he parts I am thinking about using include a big custom solid flat tappet cam, victor intake, 5000 rpm convertor, 2 inch headers, forged pistons and ported DOVE heads. Do you guys think that’s a reasonable goal for the given parts?

It can be done; pulling it off will be dependent on the knowledge and details that go into the build. It would be nice if that Victor intake has a 4500 top.

Based on your latest post of engine/power needs, I still feel the Mopar rodded L2443 combo is the way to go in your case.

Paul

Paul, do you think a smaller cu. Inch motor like a 429 would be a better choice with dove heads appossed to a bigger 460, or even a 500+ stroker ? I dont want to get into a p@!ing match about desk top dyno but it seems that when you drop the cubes it will make more power at a higher rpm.

FWIW, I can have the pin location moved on the 460 dome pistons that Diamond makes for me so they'll work with a 429, and for a heck of a lot less than a full custom.

mudtrucker wrote:Paul, do you think a smaller cu. Inch motor like a 429 would be a better choice with dove heads appossed to a bigger 460, or even a 500+ stroker ? I dont want to get into a p@!ing match about desk top dyno but it seems that when you drop the cubes it will make more power at a higher rpm.

I did the same thing before, it seems to be the shorter stroke makes it wind higher. I've been messing around with a big bore short stroke combo on there, the software is just a guideline to me. But fun to mess with. I don't want to start anything either, so no one be hatin!

mudtrucker wrote:Paul, do you think a smaller cu. Inch motor like a 429 would be a better choice with dove heads appossed to a bigger 460, or even a 500+ stroker ? ....it seems that when you drop the cubes it will make more power at a higher rpm.

The topic starter stated that he needs to stay 429 due to a diplacement rule in the class he races. The class is sand drags or mud drags, and I don't know anything about that sport and so generally speaking I don't know what the best engine combo might be.

As far as diceplacement in general goes: Assuming no other changes except displacement, the smaller engine will make similar power at a higher rpm, yes.

Paul

Carl wrote:FWIW, I can have the pin location moved on the 460 dome pistons that Diamond makes for me so they'll work with a 429, and for a heck of a lot less than a full custom.

These are awesome pistons and it's good to know this, Carl. I was actually hoping to do the Mopar rod 429 deal with your Diamond 460 dome-tops for an 8500 rpm engine for a class that dictates OEM stroke; I am happy to know they can be ordered with a 429 pin location also.

Paul

bb429power wrote:

mudtrucker wrote:Paul, do you think a smaller cu. Inch motor like a 429 would be a better choice with dove heads appossed to a bigger 460, or even a 500+ stroker ? I dont want to get into a p@!ing match about desk top dyno but it seems that when you drop the cubes it will make more power at a higher rpm.

I did the same thing before, it seems to be the shorter stroke makes it wind higher. I've been messing around with a big bore short stroke combo on there, the software is just a guideline to me. But fun to mess with. I don't want to start anything either, so no one be hatin!

Big bore short stroke was the claim to fame for the 427fe's, twist it till it screams and then hit 2nd gear!!!!!!!!!!

I ran it this year with a mild 501 stroker and was put in a pretty advanced class. I think I would have needed atleast 800 hp to be competetive in that class. By reducing the engine size and using more stock replacement parts, I can drop down to a slower class.

I usually build pump gas engines, this one will be my first attempt at running alcohol. How much compression should I shoot for on alcohol?