Thread: 390 or 429?

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Doing a frame off restro on a 63 & 1/2 Galaxie. It has a 352 and I was looking to drop in a 390 in it's place. While looking I was given a 429 with a auto trans for free. Here is the question will the 429 fit, and what mods need to be done? I think the trans is a c6, and the 429 is a 70/71 model year.

trade the 429 for a 390 ... save a lot of grief and keep the car original looking .. and you may already have a 390 .. what does the fender emblem say .. all fe blocks i think from that era had 352 embossed on the front of the motor..

Crites has all the pieces for the swap....
http://critesrestoration.com/galaxie.htm

if you are restoring a 63, use a 63 type engine----not only will your exhaust,mounts, all accessories, radiator/shroud fit , but will look original

and when your done put the left side spark plug wires on correctly

Question has to be, are you building yourself a car to cruize around in and enjoy, or building something with resale in mind after you've had your fun with it???

If resale is a consideration, then it's a no brainer to stick with the original engine.... The 63 1/2 Fords are rare enough, but with a date code correct FE and a properly done restoration, the value is going to be considerably more with the OEM parts than with the transplant.....

Thanks for all the replies, and yes Dave the Galaxie will be sold once it is complete. So I like your idea about being original. The car came with a 352, and I know I can change out the cam, intake manifold, and a 4bbl; which could give it some nice HP. So I could hang onto the 390 and the 429 I have, and possible put them in something else. Any ideas?

Originally Posted by CW126

Thanks for all the replies, and yes Dave the Galaxie will be sold once it is complete. So I like your idea about being original. The car came with a 352, and I know I can change out the cam, intake manifold, and a 4bbl; which could give it some nice HP. So I could hang onto the 390 and the 429 I have, and possible put them in something else. Any ideas?

Sounds like a good plan to me!!!! The Galaxies are becoming more popular all the time and bringing a decent price, too. The 352's won't win a lot of races, but being correct for the car will add a lot to the price for the collector crowd...... Easy for me to say, I can't leave anything stock!!!!!!!!!

I understand not keeping it correct. I have a 1970 Corvette in my garage the is anything but original.

techinspector1 thanks for the web page info. They have some good stuff on this site.

Originally Posted by CW126

techinspector1 thanks for the web page info. They have some good stuff on this site.

You're welcome.

Heck go for a 460! Just kidding I 'd stay stock with correct numbers and not worry too much about anything if you just fixing it up to sell.

FWIW the FE fits in the car much better than a 429/460. I have a 429 in my 57 and
it is BIG.

Shoprat, I have a 460 in my 48 F1. Your right they are big! I had heard FE's have leak issues, but they also have die hard fans who swear by them.

I am still a little on the fence. Now I have the original 352, the 429 with a c6 trany, and now I have a 390 that was just given to me as well. I will be doing air bags, new interior, and a two tone paint outside to go along with the custom wheels. [ATTACH]DSCI0008 (2).jpg[/ATTACH]

Opinions are like armpits ... we all have two of them and they both stink! ... I would go with the 390 ... its still is in the fe family as the 352 and it just belongs under your hood .... that MY two opinions! LOL