429/460 new bottom end or?

[Vinstang]

I just bought an original untouched 429 block to put in my car. The engine had 60 000 original clicks so I did a complete teardown on the block. To my surprised other then some worn out main bearings and a few pistons with the compression rings compressed into the pistons heads nothing major was wrong.

Now im looking to do this build up once and do it the right way. Im looking to put out around 550 to 600 hundred horsepower out of this monster. New alum heads and a hyd roller cam and rockers will be installed. Some studded main caps will help take care of those 2 bolt mains for added strength.

Now my question is this. Will the bottom end of the block (rods, crank, and pistons) hold up under this kind of power? Or is this a no brainier and there’s no way it can handle this kind of power? I know this is a good solid engine and can handle a lot. Any recommendations would be appreciated thanks.

[Tom Wells]

Yo Vinstang,

Take a look over here:

385 forum web site

Tom

[cobrashoch]

Two bolt main studs will push power relilability well past the 700 mark. The weakness with 460/429 engines is the rods. I'd jetison the stock rods for a set of Eagle H beams. Hydro. roller lifters are taller and heavier than solid rollers and cause a pushrod angle limitation on the R's you can crank, about 6000 max I'd say. You will need to run more spring pressure for the hydro. rollers too.
I would also run the Comp. cams steel roller rockers on the street. While your talking to Comp. You might mention the new beehive springs they are so proud of, might be worth while.
Toms 385 forum is a very good site too. Good luck.
cobrashock