I'm slowly working my way through restoring my 72 mustang coupe. The original engine is long gone, the car had an 87 5.0L HO in it when I got with a torker intake and holley 650 double pumper and a C4. The engine runs and the transmission works.
I've also acquired a 429 that needs rebuilding along with a c6.
I'm kind of torn which way to go with it tho, keep it small block and go big block. Would I be able to keep my power steering with the big block? All of the headers I have found for the 429 stat that they are for non power steering cars only.
The car will be a street/strip car and will be driven.
It depends if you plan to build another car in the future id save the 429 or if you dont plan to make an all out beast of a car save the 429 otherwise go for it!
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Black 2006 GT T-2 Torsen Diff, 3.73 gears, FRPP 90MM CAI, SCT X-Cal 3 tuner/ Speed Inc. dyno tune, FRPP catbacks, Steeda Triaxe w/ Hurst stick and T handle, SVT strut mounts, FRPP strut brace, Steeda UDP, JBA long tube headers, JBA O/R H-pipe, CHE LCAs, CHE anti-squat brackets, Steeda adj. UCA, FRPP blue valve covers
304 rwph, 322 rwtq
1968 Convertible PROJECT candy apple red 289 2V (swapped to edelbrock 600 cfm performer and performer intake manifold with a mild cam)
I would go with the 429. You will be happy with the hp and torque. I bought a set of dynomax headers for my Grand torino and they told me the same thing. They fit fine and I still had about 3 inches to play with.
You will need a 9 inch and big block front springs to use it.I believe you have to use a drop bracket to have power steering at least you do on a small block.Try talking to http://www.fordpowertrain.com/FPAindex/headers1.htm see what they can make you.
Power steering will not be a problem.. you either use factory 429 cj exhaust manifolds or hooker headers, you dont need any "drop bracket". Remember- the 429 was a factory option engine in 1971, the 72 and 73 are the same car so everything bolts right in. You will have to get 429 motor mounts from crites restoration products.
You can still get the factory big block springs from the parts store for about $90. You just order all your parts for a 1971 429, not a 72 since the 429 wasnt offered after 71. If you go with the 429 I can tell you that you will have no regrets. It looks great, sound awesome and is as fast as you will EVER want to go in a street car, mine runs like a scalded dog and I STILL havent floored it (waiting to get on the track) I expect it to run high elevens or low twelves and it was built just mildly over stock. DO NOT put that 302 in!
Again, there is NO NEED for a power steering drop bracket. On this engine, the stock bracket sets the pump way clear of the exhaust. Also, there is nothing "easy" about swapping a big block and transmission into this car, it takes alot of planning, money, and hard work. But as I said before, you will not be dissapointed if you do it right.
You should definitely do the 429. NOTHING replaces the sound and feeling of a big block.
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65 Mustang 289 C4. Edelbrock 600cfm (no more Pony Carb Autolite), Shorty Headers with 2 1/2" collector & glasspacks, Shiftkit, 5-leaf stock height rear springs, 620lbs/1" drop front springs, Gas Adjust shocks, 14x7 American Racing S200 Daisy Rims, low-mid range cam, 1 1/8" front sway bar & 3/4" rear sway bar, & ~3.80's (I think) in the rear.
You will need a 9 inch and big block front springs to use it.I believe you have to use a drop bracket to have power steering at least you do on a small block.Try talking to Ford Powertrain Applications see what they can make you.
The car already has a 9" in it with Strange racing shafts and trac lock in it.
Thanks for the encouragement guys. My main concern was with having to loose the power steering for the use of headers. Does anyone happen to have the part number of the hooker headers?
429ragtop, you have any pictures of your engine swap?
Maybe even check out a set of shorty headers. A lot easier to work with.
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65 Mustang 289 C4. Edelbrock 600cfm (no more Pony Carb Autolite), Shorty Headers with 2 1/2" collector & glasspacks, Shiftkit, 5-leaf stock height rear springs, 620lbs/1" drop front springs, Gas Adjust shocks, 14x7 American Racing S200 Daisy Rims, low-mid range cam, 1 1/8" front sway bar & 3/4" rear sway bar, & ~3.80's (I think) in the rear.
They dont make any shortie headers for this application. Go with hooker or find some factory ford cobra jet exhaust manifolds wich are a couple hundred less than the hooker 6201's and provide excellend hp and tq when connected to a 2 1/2" exhaust
1972 mustang coupe, keep the 302 or go 429? 
I expect it to run high elevens or low twelves 
and it was built just mildly over stock. DO NOT put that 302 in! 
