2 429 Cobra Jets a 351c and a partridge in a pear tree.

[Stugotz]

So this happened to me recently. I don't know why I decided to post it here, but here it is none the less.

So my friends know that I'm a motor head. I usually get a call when something interesting pops up, or when someone needs help. Mostly when they need help. I like to help so it's all good. I'm no expert mechanic but I know my way around the car the garage and the tools. Anyway, a friend calls me up and says that he has to empty his mothers garage before she moves. He has no room for anything at his place. I can have whatever I want for free. Bring a trailer and an engine hoist. He was a mechanic and so was his dad. "Tons of car parts and a couple of big blocks" he says. Buried the needle on my sounds interesting meter. So I go there the next day and this is what I find.

It's a dusty old homemade garage that no one has been in for many years. It was a job just to get the barn doors to open. It's maybe 10x30 and there are no windows. There were bins and boxes filled to the rim with nuts, bolts, parts and pieces. But not nice and neat like. Crap was scattered everywhere like a drunken monkey went tearing through there a few times. The roof had holes in it and provided pretty much the only sunlight in the windowless room. Someone had stacked 20 or so boards of Sheetrock and a few rolls of insulation in the center of the garage a long time ago. As you can imagine, the Rock had crumbled into a mess and many generations of mice had shredded the insulation for bedding. It was a friggin mess that was knee deep with debris down the center from front to back. Down both sides wasn't too bad. I mean, it was dusty and dirty and unorganized, but at least it wasn't covered in chunks of Sheetrock. Every flat surface had parts and pieces of dismantled junk. There were crome bumpers stuffed in the rafters over my head. Maybe 20 of them. At least half were still wrapped in paper or plastic. Apparently NOS from a closed down dealership in the area. I found a shovel and started shoveling the crumbled sheetrock out of the center so we could get in there with the hoist. Every shovel full had car parts mixed in it. Nuts, bolts, emblems, tools. I wish I had the time to go through every inch of the place, but I just don't. And I couldn't take it all. I don't have the room. Those bumpers are still in the ceiling. I unwrapped one. Perfect condition. 70 something ford I think. I just have no where to put a pile of bumpers. Anyway, we finally get to the meat and potatoes of this disaster. A bunch of engines and transmissions. All Ford. There's a C4 a C5 and 2 C6's. A 4 speed top loader and a 3 speed top loader. Took all of those. 2 complete motors sitting under a work bench. Both big block 429 cobra jets. One is a fully dressed and untouched take out supposedly from a police interceptor and the other was apparently rebuilt but never used. It had an aluminum intake a clean paint job and a set of headers laying next to it. Friggin dirt all over it. Inside the intake too. Needs to be completely torn back down and inspected. I took them both. I don't know why. I don't need any of this stuff. I would never buy an old big block 429, but it was all free and I got a chubby when he said free car parts. Next thing I knew I was shoveling sheet rock and car parts like I was on an automotive archeological dig. Now there's a pile of transmissions and engines stuffed into my already full garage. I have the sickness. Got it real bad. My roof doesn't leak and I actually work on this **** so it's not that bad. I might "refresh" the already worked 429 and stuff it into my 1980 f100 Stepside, just for the hell of it. Who knows.

So here's the dilemma. Out behind this guys garage was a 70's t bird. He parked it there when he got married 20 years ago and never touched it again. It was parked on dirt and had become one with the earth. Floors and trunk are gone. Brake pedal went right to the floor. Hood bent in half when we tried to open it. Hinges froze shut. Not worth saving at all. We dragged it around front onto the driveway and messed with it for a bit. Actually got it running. 351 Cleveland tapped for a few seconds then happily idled for a half hour at 190 degrees. Had good oil pressure too. "Biggest cam I could put in it without going to solid lifters" he says. Had a nice Lopey sound to it. Headers look rusty but intact. Aluminum dual plane and 750 Holley on top. 9" rear with 3.55's and a Trac lock out back. C5 with a shift kit in the middle. B&M slap shifter on top. All surrounded by a rusty pile of crap. "Take whatever you want. Needs to be out of here in 10 days." What a knuckle busting pain in the rear it would be to turn all those rusty bolts and get the drive train out of it.......but I feel like I need to. Even though I shouldn't. It's free after all. And I do have the sickness. I'm thinking of just yanking the motor and the center section out of the rear and leaving the rest for the scrap guy. Maybe I shouldn't even bother........or maybe I could build a 351 cleveland powered gokart. I don't know.

What would you do ?

[maximusslade]

Take it.... I am not even sure why your asking a bunch of car guys what you know what any one of us would do...

[L.Mark]

LOVE ME SOME CLEVELANDS!!!!!!!! Was checking into transplanting the 351 C outta my Dads 74 Torino Wagon into my 79 Mark V, with some tweeking and upgrades before he got rid of the whole thing....Save them all!!!! If you don't need or use someone will always use them beauties...Hmm, a 429 in my Mark V...

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I feel like I HAVE to save it from the crusher. Even though I don't want or need it. I'm not even sure of where I'm going to keep it, but I'm getting it anyway.

[Catfish]

Pull the Cleveland then find a '72 Gran Torino that needs an engine. :)

[WhatsUpDOHC]

Yeah, I feel like I HAVE to save it from the crusher. Even though I don't want or need it. I'm not even sure of where I'm going to keep it, but I'm getting it anyway.
Any "Before" pics of the garage?

Sounds really cool.

[CoreyM75]

This thread is worthless without pictures, lots and lots of pictures. Big time suckage for getting so many nice motors and transmissions for free.

[Stugotz]

This is stuff from the first load, after I already got it home. I will take more pics when I go back on Monday.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/88B64A01-4F72-432A-925C-45C3C6FD0513_zpsy26jtzl0.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/88B64A01-4F72-432A-925C-45C3C6FD0513_zpsy26jtzl0.jpg.h tml)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/F34FC0AF-0B1F-43B5-9C6D-CB39729427A1_zps5eaqd8tv.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/F34FC0AF-0B1F-43B5-9C6D-CB39729427A1_zps5eaqd8tv.jpg.h tml)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/AEBEDEDE-D8AC-4C2B-AA90-4E70C179134C_zpsatk9aalg.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/AEBEDEDE-D8AC-4C2B-AA90-4E70C179134C_zpsatk9aalg.jpg.h tml)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/3D5C7D1B-473D-4C34-A291-6C970A24432E_zpstepk6kxb.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/3D5C7D1B-473D-4C34-A291-6C970A24432E_zpstepk6kxb.jpg.h tml)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/79902F8F-87A1-4175-9B1F-30D5518F61C5_zpskahdquup.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/79902F8F-87A1-4175-9B1F-30D5518F61C5_zpskahdquup.jpg.h tml)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/F6AFB1DA-884E-468B-A4BA-6E036F44E680_zpsvppop1qy.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/F6AFB1DA-884E-468B-A4BA-6E036F44E680_zpsvppop1qy.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/6AB01C92-3E57-4249-94C5-E3D45920C99A_zps9enmitfz.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/6AB01C92-3E57-4249-94C5-E3D45920C99A_zps9enmitfz.jpg.h tml)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/05D9364A-F893-4CC5-B806-04D87ACF0595_zpsuojkm7ze.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/05D9364A-F893-4CC5-B806-04D87ACF0595_zpsuojkm7ze.jpg.h tml)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/9AED5A68-A8ED-4640-A426-8ED7A400C33E_zpsgimbvcna.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/9AED5A68-A8ED-4640-A426-8ED7A400C33E_zpsgimbvcna.jpg.h tml)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/18601B6C-0C2D-492C-A6DE-2C811A935E35_zpsfxpax03z.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/18601B6C-0C2D-492C-A6DE-2C811A935E35_zpsfxpax03z.jpg.h tml)

[CoreyM75]

That's an amazing haul of parts and motors. Even those BMX wheels have a cult following.

[Guittard22]

Wow that's like a story your grandfather tells and your like sure that happen to you lol keep us updated with more photos to follow .

[Stugotz]

So this guys sister and brother in law piled all of the stuff I took out back into the garage. Morons !!!

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/18DF2366-070C-41DE-82A7-370F791A9936_zpsucpfgcja.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/18DF2366-070C-41DE-82A7-370F791A9936_zpsucpfgcja.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/645F55A4-D306-466B-B15C-E93C722C089A_zpslnouelic.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/645F55A4-D306-466B-B15C-E93C722C089A_zpslnouelic.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/BFA9B364-37BB-484F-862E-CEBA65FE7EF7_zpsd75rn7dl.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/BFA9B364-37BB-484F-862E-CEBA65FE7EF7_zpsd75rn7dl.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/494520B0-6687-4A03-8F0F-D79646CD731E_zpsmzyfbxcr.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/494520B0-6687-4A03-8F0F-D79646CD731E_zpsmzyfbxcr.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/117C58AB-78D6-4CD3-83EA-9967AD283D2C_zpss8kqtl3r.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/117C58AB-78D6-4CD3-83EA-9967AD283D2C_zpss8kqtl3r.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/FEC8D324-2384-4AF0-A785-C74A8DC45F5B_zpssfwxecor.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/FEC8D324-2384-4AF0-A785-C74A8DC45F5B_zpssfwxecor.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

351 Cleveland. Your coming with me

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/EEB878F0-8019-41A8-A9D5-52A9C4137989_zpsu1rbedpi.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/EEB878F0-8019-41A8-A9D5-52A9C4137989_zpsu1rbedpi.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/6056C4F5-AFEC-4226-8409-66BC1F2CB9B7_zps1njum3za.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/6056C4F5-AFEC-4226-8409-66BC1F2CB9B7_zps1njum3za.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/B9C7890B-8C93-4B31-8CE1-BD17B7EE98A2_zpsuzes2nqn.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/B9C7890B-8C93-4B31-8CE1-BD17B7EE98A2_zpsuzes2nqn.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/8951D4AC-E788-4AEF-8599-B6A2A67B5AB2_zpst9otqiyu.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/8951D4AC-E788-4AEF-8599-B6A2A67B5AB2_zpst9otqiyu.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/03317BF9-CFC1-43A7-A290-5CD01984A86C_zps5ik5yylv.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/03317BF9-CFC1-43A7-A290-5CD01984A86C_zps5ik5yylv.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/C0A4B877-840A-41B2-871B-AC97E6DD866D_zpsu1z8qgi0.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/C0A4B877-840A-41B2-871B-AC97E6DD866D_zpsu1z8qgi0.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

Old cooler filled with bones. Spooky.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/EA004883-043A-4DF0-BB2C-B753BF5F3C43_zpsozhg5sem.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/EA004883-043A-4DF0-BB2C-B753BF5F3C43_zpsozhg5sem.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

So there was a 302 in pieces on the floor, a couple of more transmissions and some random other interesting things. After sweating my balls off all day, I didn't have the energy to wrestle it all out of there. Left the rest behind. God only knows what other cool stuff is buried in there. I wish I had the time to completely empty this place out. Final tally is 3 complete motors ( 2 429's and a 351C), 5 transmissions, 2 9" rear 3.55 center chunks (1 with Trac lock), and some other misc stuff. All for free. I'm good with that.

[CoreyM75]

I would go back a third time. There's a lot of good stuff still in that garage. I was expecting a larger garage though, a one car could be emptied out and sorted in a weekend. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[junior]

Are you sure that's a 351C? The 77 T-bird had a 351M as an option, but not a Cleveland. I once found a 77 t-bird at a towing yard with a froze up 400. Found another 400 out of a truck and for $150 total investment I was driving it. I did have to run spark-plug anti-foulers though.

[lji372]

omfg JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

rent a storage unit.

make ebay your part time job :2thumbs:

[Mebot]

Are you sure that's a 351C? The 77 T-bird had a 351M as an option, but not a Cleveland. I once found a 77 t-bird at a towing yard with a froze up 400. Found another 400 out of a truck and for $150 total investment I was driving it. I did have to run spark-plug anti-foulers though.
Could be a Windsor

Can't stop the signal...

[junior]

Could be a Windsor

Can't stop the signal...

The Windsor had a 6 bolt valve cover, but the Modified and Cleveland both had 8 bolt covers.

[Comin' in Hot]

Are the bmx wheels for sale?

[Stugotz]

I would go back a third time. There's a lot of good stuff still in that garage. I was expecting a larger garage though, a one car could be emptied out and sorted in a weekend. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

I wish that I had the time and more importantly the space. I'm struggling just to store the stuff I already grabbed. Supposedly the bank is taking over the property on July 14th, tomorrow. The thought of someone that doesn't know anything throwing all of this into a dumpster is sad, but that's the way it goes. I saved what I could.

[Stugotz]

Are you sure that's a 351C? The 77 T-bird had a 351M as an option, but not a Cleveland. I once found a 77 t-bird at a towing yard with a froze up 400. Found another 400 out of a truck and for $150 total investment I was driving it. I did have to run spark-plug anti-foulers though.

He said that him and his dad took out the 302 and dropped the Cleveland in many years ago. I will verify the numbers.

[kirk]

The Windsor had a 6 bolt valve cover, but the Modified and Cleveland both had 8 bolt covers.

Lots of folks don't know there's a difference between a 351C and 351M, or what the difference is. Heck, lots of people don't know there's a difference between a 351C/M and a 351W. I've even heard some who think a 351 and 352 are the same.

[Stugotz]

Are the bmx wheels for sale?

Gone. I got $350 for them.

[Stugotz]

Are you sure that's a 351C? The 77 T-bird had a 351M as an option, but not a Cleveland. I once found a 77 t-bird at a towing yard with a froze up 400. Found another 400 out of a truck and for $150 total investment I was driving it. I did have to run spark-plug anti-foulers though.

Well, it has 8 bolt valve covers and the upper water inlet is in the block rather than the manifold. I'm calling it a Cleveland. The heads are too crusty to get any info from just yet. Would be cool if they were closed chamber 4v heads. That would be an extreme stroke of luck.

[junior]

Actually the 2V heads are better for the street. Just add a 4bbl intake manifold.

[CoreyM75]

I wish that I had the time and more importantly the space. I'm struggling just to store the stuff I already grabbed. Supposedly the bank is taking over the property on July 14th, tomorrow. The thought of someone that doesn't know anything throwing all of this into a dumpster is sad, but that's the way it goes. I saved what I could.

If you were closer I'd come out and buy the entire contents of the garage. There's a few grand plus to be made on ebay out of what's left. That's too bad that it is going to get tossed like that.

[Stugotz]

Actually the 2V heads are better for the street. Just add a 4bbl intake manifold.

That's good because that's what Ive got. 2 ball heads.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/24B9F4A8-1838-472E-ABCD-E6BE2FBE0C1D_zps9fduem0g.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/24B9F4A8-1838-472E-ABCD-E6BE2FBE0C1D_zps9fduem0g.jpg.h tml)

[Stugotz]

I would go back a third time. There's a lot of good stuff still in that garage. I was expecting a larger garage though, a one car could be emptied out and sorted in a weekend. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

I went back today to meet the tow guy that took the bird away. I drove the Marauder though and nothing dirty goes in it ever. Even if I wanted to grab more stuff, it would have to go in the living room at this point. My girl might get bent out of shape about that. The garage wasn't very wide but it was long. 30 or 40 feet easy. If you see the American flag on the cross beam in the pic, it's only halfway.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/645F55A4-D306-466B-B15C-E93C722C089A_zpslnouelic.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/645F55A4-D306-466B-B15C-E93C722C089A_zpslnouelic.jpg.h tml)

[marauder mama]

Those 429's look like 429 Thunder Jets's not Cobra Jet's to me.
The Thunder jet was the LTD, T-Bird, Lincoln 429. It was also the standard engine in
1970 Torino Cobra's. with the 429CJ and 429SCJ being the options.
Every 429CJ I've ever seen had aluminum valve covers from the factory, even the police cars.
The head casting number for CJ's should be DOOE.
Plus those stock exhaust manifolds in the pictures are not CJ manifolds
But what the hell do I know?

[chief455]

Those 429's look like 429 Thunder Jets's not Cobra Jet's to me.
The Thunder jet was the LTD, T-Bird, Lincoln 429. It was also the standard engine in
1970 Torino Cobra's. with the 429CJ and 429SCJ being the options.
Every 429CJ I've ever seen had aluminum valve covers from the factory, even the police cars.
The head casting number for CJ's should be DOOE.
Plus those stock exhaust manifolds in the pictures are not CJ manifolds
But what the hell do I know?

+1
DOVE heads FTW. screw in freeze out plugs, 4 bolt mains.
stugotz - great job saving what you could, and sharing. Wayne Carini can bite one :bandit:

just that blue LEO light should have been grabbed....

[Stugotz]

Those 429's look like 429 Thunder Jets's not Cobra Jet's to me.
The Thunder jet was the LTD, T-Bird, Lincoln 429. It was also the standard engine in
1970 Torino Cobra's. with the 429CJ and 429SCJ being the options.
Every 429CJ I've ever seen had aluminum valve covers from the factory, even the police cars.
The head casting number for CJ's should be DOOE.
Plus those stock exhaust manifolds in the pictures are not CJ manifolds
But what the hell do I know?

Sounds like you know a lot actually. Here's some pics of the "good" motor
C9VE-B on the block

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/C852DAC0-19EB-4E00-902F-120206F704B5_zps6xoenxpm.png (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/C852DAC0-19EB-4E00-902F-120206F704B5_zps6xoenxpm.png.h tml)

[Stugotz]

C9VE-A on the head

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/1F33A920-6BF3-481A-B73C-695602102497_zpsgv37c8z2.png (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/1F33A920-6BF3-481A-B73C-695602102497_zpsgv37c8z2.png.h tml)

[Stugotz]

9Y136340 9D17F

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/4F6F29AE-44DE-40F2-9988-10FB2CFDC75D_zpstoyo7bpo.png (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/4F6F29AE-44DE-40F2-9988-10FB2CFDC75D_zpstoyo7bpo.png.h tml)

[Stugotz]

Hhhmmm. Backwards 460 on the block. Interesting.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/0238DFB1-C041-4303-9F0C-DDF13BA10CA0_zpscfxhlfr0.png (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/0238DFB1-C041-4303-9F0C-DDF13BA10CA0_zpscfxhlfr0.png.h tml)

[Stugotz]

Those 429's look like 429 Thunder Jets's not Cobra Jet's to me.
The Thunder jet was the LTD, T-Bird, Lincoln 429. It was also the standard engine in
1970 Torino Cobra's. with the 429CJ and 429SCJ being the options.
Every 429CJ I've ever seen had aluminum valve covers from the factory, even the police cars.
The head casting number for CJ's should be DOOE.
Plus those stock exhaust manifolds in the pictures are not CJ manifolds
But what the hell do I know?

I just now looked at your screen name. Your a chick.....who knows stuff about big blocks. Very cool mama. Very cool.

I did some lite reading on the subject. I believe that you are correct. They appear to be Thunder Jets. I'm not crying though. They are still big block fords and they were still free of charge. Not as cool as a Cobra Jet, but cool non the less. Still winning.

[junior]

C9VE-A on the head

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/1F33A920-6BF3-481A-B73C-695602102497_zpsgv37c8z2.png (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/1F33A920-6BF3-481A-B73C-695602102497_zpsgv37c8z2.png.h tml)

This is a high compression 4V head from a 460. The block you have is also a 460. That is a good block and intake for anything you can put it in. I'm kind of partial to the 70-71 torino/cyclone for this setup. Maybe an old Ford pickemup would be cool.

[2,4shofast]

What and awesome find. That is a lot of work but well worth it:beer:

[Stugotz]

This is a high compression 4V head from a 460. The block you have is also a 460. That is a good block and intake for anything you can put it in. I'm kind of partial to the 70-71 torino/cyclone for this setup. Maybe an old Ford pickemup would be cool.

I happen to have an old pickemup. 1980 f100 Stepside. 302, 4 speed, 9" rear. Bought new oak planks for the bed floor. Soon to be Cleveland powered followed by being 460 powered.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r795/enzod123/481C94DE-A47E-4943-BC8D-727CEE9A877B_zpsahueklmn.jpg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/enzod123/media/481C94DE-A47E-4943-BC8D-727CEE9A877B_zpsahueklmn.jpg.h tml)