429/460 swap

[429mustang]

I'm putting a descently built 429/C-6 trans in my 86 Mustang GT this year after I get the motor back from the machine shop. Have any of you or someone you know put a 429/460 in a fox body mustang. What kind of problems did you/they run into fitting the motor? I've already looked into a motor plate mounting kit and swap headers, and the place I'm buying it from tells me it should be a pretty straight forward swap, but I wanted to get some feedback from someone who has done the swap on their own car.

[oldman]

I put a 351-C in an 82 GT with good success and it's real close to the size you are talking about. The one big thing is the steering shaft. No matter if you use the swap headers or not, the stock steering shaft flange will hit the exhaust (hard enough that you won't be able to get the engine in) unless you re-engineer the thing. Flaming River makes one for about $130 that will work. THe c-6 fits well, it fills the tunnel but it goes in easy and there's plenty of room to manuever afterward. Naturally the springs will look like they had an elephant sittin on them so you'll need to go heavier on the front at least. I know this doesn't exactly addressd the 460 install but like I said, the physical size is so close it won't be much different. Good luck

[429mustang]

I figured I'd have to replace the springs, but never thought about the steering shaft. I'll check out flaming rivers site. I'm going with a motor plate mounting system, so I was planning on using their manual rack, I've heard the power steering pump won't clear the front plate.
Thanks oldman

[460 dual quad]

i did a complete big block swap in 1996 with a 81 cougar xr7 the swap was very easy. a ford 460 oil pan from the f350 with oil pump and pickup i used the ford motor mount swap kit with kaufmann 460 street header kit. you do not have to change the steering shaft or front springs if your car came with a v8. with a c6 trans i had to shorten my drive shaft 1 inch still using the 7.5 rear axle. if you change to a nine inch rear axle it is best to get a custom shaft built. i bought a new radiator for a 1971 mustang 429. it fits like a glove. the only problem you will run in to is that you cant run a mechanical fan. you will have to run dual electric fans. but you will have to run one pusher and one puller because of the closeness of the pump to the radiator. dont try to run manual steering. i ran pump from a 70 t bird and got the hoses custom made. you will not be able to run a factory kick down for the trans. i put in an after market shifter and lost the column shift. if you have any questions my email is tunnel45@mts.net i still have the car today 12 years later