Bought a vehicle from a very well know hot rod shop. "Perfect running vehicle would love a 1,500 mile adventure"...Adventure it was. Long story short engine has 2 cylinders with less 100 lbs of compression and 700R4 was not hooked up right so it is slipping now. So I am guessing it needs rebuilt but may just need rings. Any input would be great but not even sure what these motors are worth. I know they only made them a couple of years. We are not ready to tear into the motor - we had planned to drive it since it was such a good vehicle. 429 Cad motors worth anything???
They are good engines, I don't know an actual dollar amount to put on one but as rod engines go they are right up there on top. You may get lucky and it just needs a valve job, that would be a good thing wouldn't it? Is it blowing oil or just no compression?
I like them. I put one in a 53 Ford 20 years ago, still running strong and the guy drives (and races) the heck out of it. Nice torque monster! Nothing much for them as far a speed parts and dress up though.
blowing oil everywhere and low compression. I think the book said it should be around 175 psi and 2 holes are 100ish and other 6 are around 125-135. Valve job maybe but pretty sure it would need rings - or yeah, supposedly was rebuilt a couple years ago. This motor has no torque...but the compression test helps explain some of that.
Squirt some oil down the 2 plug holes in question, run the compression test again. If the compression comes up, it's rings. I go with the highest to lowest readings should be with in 10% of each other for a daily driver. Salvage yard prices, should be around $300 or so for one, if you can find one. It may be well worth putting some $$ into. They were always smooth running engines and made lots of power. Bob
Just read this after my previous post. It does sound tired, expect the worst and hope for the best. It could still be sticky rings if it sat around for a while. Bob
We had one in a 67 F-100 back in the 70s. That truck was just flat out FAST. They wind up quicker and longer than the 472/500 variety. There was a 390 configured like the 429 for 1963. They rock too. Had one of those in a SWB 62 unibody Ford PU. We pissed off a lot of 340 Cudas and small block Novas and Camaros back then. That lil bitch would fly. You may want to fix it...
Just a follow up for anyone that cares. The "professional" engine builder form So-Cal had the gaps all lined up on the pistons....fixed by adjusting the rings and checking everything else out internally. We did put it back in truck. The truck came from a really popular shop known here also. When I emailed them with the info on what we found they disappeared. We Fought the oil issue from CA to IA...caveat emptor I guess... But I am certain that shop will never get any more money - I will not bash them here but I will pass along the truth of the experience to anyone who asks.
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