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Ford C-code / J-code specs: 429 ci (7.0L) 8-cylinder, 4.362 x 3.59 in (110.8 x 91.2 mm) bore and stroke, 11.3:1 compression. Rated 370 hp, 1970–1971.
The Ford C-code / J-code 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).
11.3:1 on iron heads is high enough that pump premium or better is normally required, and iron holds heat, so it is the less forgiving side of that line.
It is one of 15 engines in the Ford 429ci family, all of them 429 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 2 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 370 hp across 1970–1971.
| Displacement | 429 ci / 7 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4.362" |
| Stroke | 3.59" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 11.3:1 |
| Rod length | 6.605" |
| Rod ratio | 1.84 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.215 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Firing order | 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 |
| Advertised HP | 370 hp |
| Years | 1970–1971 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | gross | 370 @ 5400 | 450 lb-ft @ 3400 | 11.3:1 |
| 1971 | gross | 370 | — | 11.3:1 |
Factory specification sheet.
| 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 | 11.3:1 — high enough that pump premium or better is normally required |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 370 hp | C-code / J-code |
| 1971 | 370 hp | C-code / J-code |
1 factory vehicle, 1970–1971. Each year opens that model's engine table.