Let's talk structural integrity and shock towers...

I haven't measured the width of a 460 in at least 15 years...
I had one I wanted to put into a 72 at one time.
It was 30-something inches wide.
I want to say 31 or 32, but I don't really remember.
I am sure there are measurements somewhere online.

 

I like that idea.
Find a way to tie the towers and rails to the engine... making the block a structural part of the front end.
Don't know if that idea holds water, but I like the sound of it.
Might just make it easier for the brute torque to twist everything up!

 

I wasn't clear in my post. I meant to say remove only the shock tower sheet metal. You would have to fab up some to make a uniform look and maintain the integrity of the aprons.

I'm thinking out loud. Just brain storming...or...as the case may be.

 

I am finding the "official" online width of the 385s to be 27"...
It doesn't sit right with me though. All the sources are showing 27" for the FE as well.

These might be 'long block' widths, not taking exhaust and other external items into account. I know the 302 and 351w measurements I am seeing don't take exhaust into account. The exhaust comes straight out the side and makes a big difference on width.

Edit:
The 302 is supposed to be 24" wide.
The 351c is listed as 25.5" wide. (I don't believe that either)

And if the 460 truly is only 27" wide, then a simple shave should do the trick.

 

Here is one of the lists I found.
This one is laid out nice and legible compared to some of the others.
They all say the exact same dimensions.
http://www.mustangsandmore.com/ubb/EngineDimensions.html

Another:
http://www.geocities.com/infieldg/v8enginesizes.html

 

this wouldn't be bad at all for $750 "Buy it now"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...021QQitemZ310070882718QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

This looks pretty stout if you ask me!
This is the Holman Moody Boss 429 car that we saw in Atlanta recently at FFW.

 

Well Ray, at least the plugs are easy to get to.
They only moved the shocks out about 1.5 inches.
I wonder if they have springs in there or if they are running coil overs.
It looks good all boxed in like that and the sneaky tubes that attach to the shock mounts are a nice touch.

 

LOL...that's for sure. Maybe everybody that wants a big block Mav should just go out and get them a Boss 429 to put in it. Wouldn't hear any more talk about "can't get to the plugs"!
Can't wait to see how RadMav is doing his.

 

Hey Ratio, I thought that I'd seen a drawing once that had the sizes of motors and a cross section so you could see the direction the exhaust goes. Anyhow, I can tell you this much...I personally put a 429cj into a 68 Mustang. I know that it fits in that engine compartment. If someone can measure between the shock towers on a 68 we can compare that to the Maverick and see if my towers are out far enough.

 

The mustang is a LOT wider. A 351w came stock in that style front suspension...as well as a 428, and other FE engines. Even the '64-'66 Mustangs are wider between the towers than our Mavericks and Comets. A 351w fits fine in an early mustang where it won't fit at all (if you want to use any kind of headers...) in a Maverick. How do I know this? Friend of mine has a '66 with a windsor in it, uses Hedman headers and it all fits like a glove.

 

You would be hearing everyone cry about not being able to get headgaskets for the Boss 429,since they are a dry deck engine and use copper "O"rings which are not reproduced last time I looked for a set.

 

My dad has an NOS set of them put away. A buddy of his was going to throw them away back in the 80's.

I personally crawled up under that Boss 429 Maverick Ray posted and looked at the front suspension. It had coil springs, and stock upper control arms..

 

thanks for that picture Ray....gives me some brain food!

 

There's more pics of it here: http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=45369&highlight=boss+429+maverick
Go to post #45.