460 bottom ends are cheap and easy to find, Josh. I would start there. You already have the makings of a killer top end, so building a good, solid bottom end should be cheap at that target HP.  Your biggest expense may come in the form of the pistons, where you'll need to be careful with those C9's I think.

I would also keep the 429 as it is! If you want to run D3VE's I have the new ones from the Moo's original engine, very fresh, and still easily able to hit that target, I would have them dissasembled and cleaned only because of the shavings from the bearing failures.

Actually, that entire engine could be done very inexpesively, now that I think about it. At worst we'd be looking at a couple rods, pistons and possibly a crank, but the rest of the thing just needs flushed, cleaned and reassembled. Supposed to have a pretty good cam in it, but that would have to be verified. Thing only ran like 30 minutes after all the guy put into it.

Ray

Always wondered about that shit!

Ray

Hell I need that engine, and I don't even know why, other than it makes more HP than the last BBC i had in my garage AND I may have sumpin up my sleeve for it.

Will it take a blower? lol?

Ray

Unfortunately, you probably did some level of bearing damage. I would change the oil and filter after every trip for a bit.

I think the BBF, and Paul will correct me quick if I'm wrong, does not use a main priority oiling system. Relying on the restriction of oil to the top end through the lifter galley to provide oil to the mains/rods.

If the pressure is within acceptable levels, we're into Sept and near the end of the season. You can rip it down over the winter and rebearing it.

My .02

Ray

Yeah, Motor comes out, tear it down, clean it thoroughly. As far as a machine shop, no if you have or have access to the correct measuring instruments for bore, main bore, cam bore, rod size and crank diameters.

Personally, I would take all of it for a hot tank and inspection. Much cheaper than buying all the tools. I have most of them, but still would ,only as a double check on myself. It doesn't cost that much.

Now, on the flip side, I have seen (DO NOT RECOMMEND) people pull the pan, pump, clean them, put it back together with no firther rip down (You're gonna have a CAM AND LIFTER INSTALL AT LEAST) Then put it together, fire it, for a few seconds, change the oils and filter, do that like 3 or 4 times, call it good and run it. And some have run for years.

Depends on whether you have the luck of the Irish or not, I guess!  never trusted in that.

Ray

Ok, Chromey, Glenn, Brad, Skip you guys know I have a complete turnkey engine in Mercel? I think. Can we get it to Chromey? (STILL haven't gotten it down here. He's welcome to it if it gets him in the water again quick.  (Where is that engine again Jeremy? I forget, and too damn tired to look it up right now).

Complete as complete gets, 10 qt pan, logs, water hookups, alt, starter, bellhousings, dizzy, no carb, but even the 3 pt mounts.

We can work something out later. I'm sure that with all the leftover parts theres a decent engine in there for the Saguaro, which is what this was for.

Let me know,

Ray

Jeezuz! What's a reasonable offer on that thing? Cool as hell though!

Ray

Yes you have, and I renig on my last statement, lol!

Ray

Will you be bringing around the famous "Field Installation Team" in that thing?

My Unc's the one to talk to about those things, he's had several now. Currently has a Camelot. (yeah, friggin thing cost more than THREE TIMES what I paid for my house!).

Ray

So whats your excuse now? lol

Ray

Em is Purdy! Skip! Too bad all I gots running right now is Ferds, lol.

Ray

OK, time to get back to basics with this thing. The old "Box" dealio I described I only ever saw on old Jeeps, 'tis why I asked.

Someone made this thing run with whatever was available, and apparently did so.

First, and foremost, lets get the thing timed at TDC. Forget the dampner, I think that's an issue in this case. A silver Sharpie is going to be your best friend for this.

Crank the engine over by hand (reverse, tightening the bolt) until it's #1 is at TDC on compression stroke. Use a coat hanger, works fine. Mark the dampner. Crank it over again, BBC right? at TDC and watch #4 When it starts to drop, mark the dampner again. that should be, if I remember BBC's right, 8 or 9 degrees BTDC.

Set your dizzy pointing at #1 at that point you should be able to fire it and be damn close.

I could be wrong on this thing, been many years since I did a BBC. I know it works on BBF's using #6 instead of #4, but I think I'm right. They are very similar. Enginedoctor will chime in if i'm way off on this, but I think that's where you need to go.

Ray

Well, I guess that makes an open forum then. I buy Vertex when I see them only because I know it's top shelf stuff. If what Brad says is true, the Mallory won't hold a candle to it. Apparently, Terry musta saw this too, but when I last saw the boat, it had a Mallory unit on it.

I'm waiting on someone to chime in with more info, this perplexes me.

The Hunt unit you have, Omar, I know nothing about, but if it knocked you on your a$$, I'd just run it!

Ray