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Ford 429ci specs: 429 ci (7.0L) 8-cylinder, 4.362 x 3.59 in (110.8 x 91.2 mm) bore and stroke, 9.3:1 compression. Rated 197-208 hp, 1973.
The Ford 429ci is oversquare — the 4.362" bore exceeds the 3.59" stroke by 21.5% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.59" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,700 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. A rod ratio of 1.84 is long by production standards — less side-load on the cylinder wall and gentler piston acceleration around TDC, the geometry that tolerates high RPM. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 53.6 ci (879 cc).
9.3:1 on iron heads is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 12 engines in the Ford 429ci family, all of them 429 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 5 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 197 to 208 hp in 1973.
| Displacement | 429 ci / 7 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4.362" |
| Stroke | 3.59" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Rod length | 6.605" |
| Rod ratio | 1.84 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.215 |
| Piston deck clearance | 0.018" |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 197–208 hp |
| Years | 1973 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.215 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,590 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Rod ratio | 1.84 — long — less side loading on the cylinder wall, favours high RPM |
| Displacement per cylinder | 53.6 ci |
| Static compression | 9.3:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
| Intake valve diameter | 2.09" |
|---|---|
| Exhaust valve diameter | 1.661" |
| Chamber volume | 71.5 cc |
| Rocker ratio | 1.75:1 |
| Lifter type | hydraulic |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 197 hp | — |
| 1973 | 198 hp | — |
| 1973 | 201 hp | — |
| 1973 | 202 hp | — |
| 1973 | 208 hp | — |