Does it fit?

[Mustangmekanic2]

Im am planning on building a classic mustang into a 460 ci powered monster. I am going to build the car around the engine. I plan on using a blown version of the Ford Racing 460 Super Cobra Jet. Will this engine drop into to any of the classic fastbacks? I have a '73 Mach 1 on the hook, will it fit? I really want to use a '69 Fastback, will it fit here?

[Woodz428]

The 429( which is the sister to the 460) came in the '71-'72 'stangs and the parts are available to drop it right in. They will also fit '67 to '70 'stangs with a little parts swapping. On the earlier cars you need a T-bird( of the era) waterpump because it is shorter. I have done a few, but it's been over 15 ears ago and I can't recall what engine mount we used although they were the FE frame brackets.

[Bill D]

1969 and 1970 Mustangs could be ordered with the Boss 429 or the 428 CJ and SCJ engines. The Boss 429 had to have the shock towers moved to accomodate the huge heads.

The 429 (non Boss version) was only offered in the 1971 Mustang

[Mustangmekanic2]

So, if I found a 69 or 70 that didnt have a 429 in it, or didnt used to, will the 460 still fit, since it was an option? Or do I have to look for a project car that had a 429 in it?

[Bill D]

If you have the car and the engine, do a test fit.

Another source of information is on the Mustang forums.

[jdean]

A good source of information, esp with 460s in Mustangs, is at

www.460ford.com

[damdfw]

Many years ago.... in the early 80's I had a 69 Mustang fastback with a 460. The previous owner had replaced the original 351w with the 460. It did fit, however I had a heck of a time changing the spark plugs because of the shock towers. It sure was fun to drive.

David

[ByronRACE]

Since you're willing to jump off into a project of this magnitude, why not take it one step further and drop a complete modern IFS in it? There's a multitude of companies out there that sell kits for these cars, complete with the cover plates to cover the holes where the shock towers used to be.

It's extra work, but look what it buys you! You can run real headers, it looks better, it's easier to work on, it'll handle/turn like a modern car, etc...

Also, put hydraboost brakes in it. Best invention since the supercharger.

[CarsByCarl]

It'll pretty much only fit with stock exhaust manifolds. If you really want to do it right, cut the shock towers out and use an IFS kit to give yourself more room.

Here's a picture of 460 based stroker I build for a customer with a 72 Mustang. Saying it's a tight fit is an understatement. He's going to get rid of the shock towers in the off-season so he can get some headers in there and uncork the beast.