429 Block Question

[jayb]

Tonight I saw a cast iron 429 block with screw-in core plugs.  Many years ago I had a 429 SCJ engine, but if I recall correctly it had normal press-in frost plugs.  Could this be a Boss 429 block?  Or an aftermarket block?  Thanks for any info - Jay

[Joe-JDC]

Could be a Boss block.  '69 had two types, S and T.  '70 were all the same pistons, etc.  Been a while since I messed with them, but my SCJ engine I have here has pressed in plugs.  Routinely bored to 4.440".  Joe-JDC

[WConley]

Can't say for sure it's a Boss 429 block.  They are the only ones that came from the factory with screw-in plugs, but quite a few people over the years have added screw-ins to their CJ / SCJ blocks. 

[mike7570]

One of those “Doh” moments. I was at Mickey Thompson’s warehouse in Long Beach in the early ‘80s where I bought my tunnel port. He had a lot of other stuff for sale and I remember a row of brand new Boss blocks in the crates for $600.00 each. Can’t remember if they had screw in plugs. (I should have cleaned out my bank account)

[blykins]

Jay,

Part/cast number should be C9AE-E for a B9 block.  4 bolt mains.  Screw in plugs. 

As the others mentioned, screw in plugs could have been added to any factory block, kinda like when guys try to make 390's look like 427's.

[6667fan]

Boss blocks have different rear bulkheads and one more set of 4 bolt mains than an SCJ/CJ.
SCJ pic included here.

JB

[jayb]

Thanks for the replies.  I must be missing something on the 4 bolt mains, but I only see the center 3 sets in the picture.  My SCJ block had that same arrangement.  Does a Boss block have a 4th set?

I will find out more about this block tomorrow, but based on the responses I think it is likely that it is just a standard block that has been fitted with screw-in core plugs.  The guy who was building it also has a set of those Kaase Boss 429 heads, so probably it is dressed up to look like a Boss 429 block on the outside.

[WConley]

Thanks for the replies.  I must be missing something on the 4 bolt mains, but I only see the center 3 sets in the picture.  My SCJ block had that same arrangement.  Does a Boss block have a 4th set?

Yes the HP Boss block should have four bolts on the #1 main cap.

[AlanCasida]

#1 main cap on a Boss 429 is also 4 bolt. Also since the OEM Boss 429 was a dry deck it will probably be machines for o-rings but I am not 100% sure on that.
 

[Joe-JDC]

RB might jump to another engine family after building that one with Boss heads.  552-557 cubic inches are easy with those blocks.  Joe-JDC

[AlanCasida]

RB might jump to another engine family after building that one with Boss heads.  552-557 cubic inches are easy with those blocks.  Joe-JDC

Once you have felt the POWER of the dark side of the Fords, resistance is futile. 

[machoneman]

Lots more here: https://www.460ford.com/threads/boss-bulkhead-d0ve-a-blocks-explained.161937/

[Tommy-T]

One of those “Doh” moments. I was at Mickey Thompson’s warehouse in Long Beach in the early ‘80s where I bought my tunnel port. He had a lot of other stuff for sale and I remember a row of brand new Boss blocks in the crates for $600.00 each. Can’t remember if they had screw in plugs. (I should have cleaned out my bank account)

I was at the "Mick's" warehouse the same day in 1983. Bought the last of the distributor drives for the M/T cross rams, 7 of them, from Mickey Thompson hisself.

Along with what Mike was saying about Boss blocks, there were a number of "Blue Crescent" cast iron headed Boss 429 type motors for sale. There was a cast iron Blue Crescent head in sections for flow testing that was for sale. I bought one combustion chamber section and I still have it. Reminds me of the time I met one of my heroes.

[e philpott]

I owned a brand new factory replacement short block B9 back in 86 , what you would of got if your B9 got a engine replacement under warranty is what I was told , screw in plugs and front 4 bolt and this block didn't have O-Ring cut for the cylinders

[mike7570]

One of those “Doh” moments. I was at Mickey Thompson’s warehouse in Long Beach in the early ‘80s where I bought my tunnel port. He had a lot of other stuff for sale and I remember a row of brand new Boss blocks in the crates for $600.00 each. Can’t remember if they had screw in plugs. (I should have cleaned out my bank account)

I was at the "Mick's" warehouse the same day in 1983. Bought the last of the distributor drives for the M/T cross rams, 7 of them, from Mickey Thompson hisself.

Along with what Mike was saying about Boss blocks, there were a number of "Blue Crescent" cast iron headed Boss 429 type motors for sale. There was a cast iron Blue Crescent head in sections for flow testing that was for sale. I bought one combustion chamber section and I still have it. Reminds me of the time I met one of my heroes.

I tried negotiating with Micky the price of the tunnel port (it was $3500) He said "look if you don't buy it I'm going to stick in a boat" He loaded it in my truck himself with a fork lift
picking it up along the cast iron T pan it had on it.  It was a great day meeting him and walking around the warehouse like a kid in a candy store.