351c to a 69 Mercury 429

[clonetroop211]

I've been trying to read everything I can about doing an engine swap to a 429. I have a 1969 Mercury Marauder XL with the 429 in it and I'm preparing to put it in my 72 Fastback. I'm having a hard time finding performance parts for this particular year engine. I've been able to find some stuff from places like Summit and RockAuto. I was able to contact FlowKooler about rebuilding my water pump for high flow. Now I'm having a problem finding headers. I see the Hooker Headers 6115HKR are for 429 but the application year starts for 1970. Has anybody else gone with this motor who could help? Here are 2 things I've read about the Mercury 429

http://www.carmemories.com/cgi-bin/viewexperience.cgi?experience_id=503

http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1969-mercury-marauder-x-100.htm

Thanks

 

[TommyK]

I've been trying to read everything I can about doing an engine swap to a 429. I have a 1969 Mercury Marauder XL with the 429 in it and I'm preparing to put it in my 72 Fastback. I'm having a hard time finding performance parts for this particular year engine. I've been able to find some stuff from places like Summit and RockAuto. I was able to contact FlowKooler about rebuilding my water pump for high flow. Now I'm having a problem finding headers. I see the Hooker Headers 6115HKR are for 429 but the application year starts for 1970. Has anybody else gone with this motor who could help? Here are 2 things I've read about the Mercury 429

http://www.carmemories.com/cgi-bin/viewexperience.cgi?experience_id=503

http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1969-mercury-marauder-x-100.htm

Thanks

The early 429's and 460's used a weird crank pulley which also functioned as a dampener. Cars equipped with power steering used a weird crank driven pump. This set up used a short nose water pump which can be difficult to find. If you are going to retain the stock crank pulley then you are doing the right thing by having the stock pump rebuilt. I have read that the stock pump actually outflows the Edelbrock "high flow" aluminum water pump at LOW rpms where a street car generally operates. You may want more details from Flowkooler on exactly what they mean by high flow. Caveat emptor.

Hooker, Crites and FPA all make headers for that swap. There are many posts on this subject here. Search tool is your friend.

The 429/460 mounts are three piece consisting of a frame stand, a bracket and a rubber isolator. Crites makes swap mounts that work with their headers. I got my mounts from Mustangs Unlimited.

The 429 from your Marauder will be a high compression engine and may be challenging to run on today's pump gas.

Would love to see pics of the Marauder.

 

[mach1chick]

I have a 68 429 in my 71. It was changed over before I bought it. It still has the original carb which I want to eventually replace with a 750 Edelbrock, and it has the typical cracked manifold. I cried when I saw the price of headers! But they are making a redesigned manifold now for around $300.

the only thing I have replaced engine-wise is the fuel pump. I run it on 93 pump gas and it runs ok but will do much better with a better carb!

 

[Luke]

Good luck with the project. Lots of smart guys here to steer you through the transplant process. What's the plan for the Mercury I have always though they where kinda cool especially in X100 trim.