1972 429 motor , DOVE-C heads ? and #s
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Powertrain Specific Forum
Forum Name: Big Block Engine Forum
Forum Description: 429 and 460 engines
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=19779
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 9:20AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 1972 429 motor , DOVE-C heads ? and #s
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Subject: 1972 429 motor , DOVE-C heads ? and #s
Date Posted: 08-September-2021 at 3:53PM
| I hope my question makes sense, I am looking at a 72 ranchero N code car 429. The motor obviously has had things done as far as aluminum intake, holley carb, new style distributor, etc. I was thinking it might be a value issue down the road if the motor is not original. I have been sent photos of the casting behind the starter, ( maybe partial ) D1VE , and the heads say DOVE-C , so I started trying to research whats going on and it seems the block casting is just a overall 429-460 ID covering many years unless it has other marks after that I can't see.? So short of seeing the vin someplace on the block I am thinking that does not prove or disprove much of anything regarding the year. The heads say DOVE-C and according what I read the 72 would have had D2 something but where not good so maybe they where changed to improve things during a rebuild? Basically I am wondering if anyone could just set me strait on whats good or bad. Is a 429 better than a 351 ? is a 429 thats been altered for improvement better than one with original heads that would be correct? I think its a good car I am looking at, and has really nice options, gage cluster, performance suspension, A/C power everything. I just wish I knew more about the 429 motors. The seller has been very helpful,Not sure if he really knows much about it. He thought maybe the D1 on the block made it a 71 date motor. it's too far away for me to look at in person.I like buying things that are factory generally, but in this case I just need someone in the know to school me on what the DOVE-C heads would be and if they are a good or bad thing?? supposedly the motor runs very well. I hope My rambling question is understood. |
Replies:
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 08-September-2021 at 4:22PM
|
Could also be a 460, since they are MUCH more plentiful than a 429 and having 31 extra cubes isn't a bad thing in my mind. The DOVE-C heads are closed chamber castings with around 75cc's, they are WAY better than D2VE heads which are very prone to detonation. If the '72 was an early model, say mid to late '71 it could have possibly came stock with the DOVE-C heads. A big block is usually more desirable than a small block.
------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Date Posted: 08-September-2021 at 4:25PM
| Thanks, The car was built June 72 |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 09-September-2021 at 2:16PM
|
The parts catalog shows that the 72 Torino should have had a part number of D1VZ 6010-A or D2SZ 6009-A. it shows the Cylinder Heads as D2VZ 6049-B. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 09-September-2021 at 4:24PM
|
you can easily find out the displacement by sticking a long wooden dowel in a spark plug hole, and rotate the crank tilbthe stick is as far down as it goes. Mark the edge of the hole. Now rotate so the stick come up as high as it will go. Mark it again. Now measure the distance between the marks. A 429 will have be slightly over 3.5” A 460 will be slightly over 3.75” I bet you probably have a 429... but a 460 would be a nice surprise ------------- 1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold 1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project 1972 Gran Torino - parts 1969 Torino GT - M code 100+ mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (14 trophies) |
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 10-September-2021 at 10:27AM
|
FYI, all 429 and 460 blocks can be bored .080 over the stock 4.36" bore. With sonic checking, some can go .160" over. Every .030" over bore adds about 5CI. ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Date Posted: 11-September-2021 at 11:58PM
| Thanks all, Good stuff to know, I went ahead bought the car. Whatever it is under the hood ,seems whoever worked on the car may have known what they where doing if its got better heads than born with. Wish me luck. |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 12-September-2021 at 5:21AM
|
Buy it. N code cars were not produced in great numbers. D1 block was definitely cast in 71. The heads were nost likely swapped out after finding a set and replacing the multi groove factory valves for the proper single grooves. 351CJ was a performance built engine whereas the 429 was not. Either one still can put power to the wheels when done right. ETA: I am only sharing my opinion. I haven't had a 351CJ or 460 since the early 80s.
|
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Date Posted: 12-September-2021 at 8:52AM
| Yah , I went ahead and bought it, Its 429 N code, C-6, 3:35 traction lock, Performance Suspension package, Rally gage dash, Rally wheels, PDB, PS, Power windows, A/C. Thinking of doing it in Gold Glow to match my GTS, and have a truck when I need it. Thanks Again |
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 12-September-2021 at 9:36AM
|
Well done, I'm sure you will like that, especially with having the cousin Gran Torino for common parts and service work for them both. ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 11:27AM
 Thanks, Should be here in about a month.
|
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 12:09PM
|
Wow, that looks awesome! Should be really nice with a built 429. If you get the Marti, I'd love to see it. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 12:17PM
 
|
Posted By: Compton
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 1:26PM
| I reckon it looks pretty good in the brown…very period…sweet ride mate |
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 1:34PM
| It's no question an interesting assortment of colors, : ) |
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 1:36PM
| Maybe hence the reason only 34 made with color and trim options ? |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 2:16PM
| Very nice. Looking forward to more pics. |
Posted By: Compton
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 3:56PM
| All the more reason to keep it brown if there’s only 34…. |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 5:30PM
very nice! 429 C6 and a 3.25 locker... very cool  ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 5:39PM
|
that sure looks familiar... did you buy it from a guy in oregon by chance? ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: AUS GTS
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 8:25PM
|
Nice buy! enjoy! ------------- Al |
Posted By: 1beautifuldaughter
Date Posted: 13-September-2021 at 11:24PM
| I think its born and raised in Arkansa |