Club Cobra - Thunder Jet?

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Morning Guys

I've been offered over here in the UK an engine described as a 'rare' 429 Thunder Jet ( complete, less intake )
Anybody shed any light on the suitability for my brothers Dax Cobra ..... in fact any info / views would be appreciated

Donington Pete

What sort of money are you being "offered" it for?

Its for sale for £1500 ..dont know the rate for $Oz ...its a '69 2 bolt
casting # C8VE- 7117

I think that is roughly $A4500.00, or $US2250.00. I have only ever seen one 429 thunder jet, i think the guy was putting into a Galaxie. I suppose its like everything, depends what condition it is in etc. Some of the guys from the states can probably help you a bit more than that.

Andy.

When you have the block casting number you need to check these web sites. Final determination may require dropping the oil pan to see what type of block it is.

The 385 Forum where the racing BB 460 Ford guys hang out.

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/85220

Great site describing the early 429s.

http://fordifiedracing.homestead.com/460tech.html

The 4 bolt 429 SCJ blocks have the main caps dowelled to prevent cap walk. The extra thick 2 bolt block is not dowelled.

A little History

The 429 Thunder Jet was the first varient of the of the traditional 385 series engine as we know it now. It originally was introduced in late 1968 and early 1969 in the full size passenger cars made by Ford and Mercury such as Thunderbird, and LTD. For a brief period the tail end of the FE production was being installed in pickups, and the Torino, Fairlane, and Mustang as the Cobra Jet nameplate. The 385 was phased in to ultimately replace the FE. Shortly after introduction the SCJ (Super Cobra Jet) nameplate was attached to the performance version of the 429. It was equipped with performance cam, solid lifters, adjustable rocker arms, 4 bolt mains, Holley and or Autolite carb, aluminum rocker covers, It was a pretty hard runner in this form. Few of the SCJ varients remain today. The introduction of smog equipment really hampered this engine from reaching it's full potential during its short performance run. Even the Boss 429 IMO never reached its potential as a performance engine. The technology of the day demanded the timing be altered and camshafts retarded which kills these monsters.

Rick

Thanks for the info chaps, I'm in the position of sourcing this motor for my brother who is working in Italy and not able to devote the time for the search
I suppose what I really need to know is ; would this engine provide a good base for his Cobra kit and is there a reasonable level of aftermarket performance parts for a, say....400/450hp to keep him not to far behind me?
Regards
Donington Pete

That will do for me

Many thanx

My cousin has one he found in a late 60's T-Bird in a junk yard about 15 years ago.He rebuilt it to stock specs and put it in his 3/4 ton 4x4 for pulling a camper trailer and other assorted stuff....Plenty of HP and torque,only drawback was it is an 11 to 1 compression engine and he had to de-tune it to run on pump gas without pinging....

David